Aurélie SACCHELLI, Media365, published on Friday, March 4, 2022 at 8:02 a.m.
Despite Kevin Durant’s return, Brooklyn lost again, this time at home to leaders Miami. Chicago, Golden State and Memphis also lost on an upset NBA night, as the Clippers comfortably won the Los Angeles Derby.
The poster of the night: Brooklyn – Miami
He is back ! Absent since January 15 due to an injury to the ligaments of the left knee, Kevin Durant made his return Thursday against Miami. During his absence, the Nets lost 16 of their 21 games and let James Harden go to bring in Ben Simmons (among others), but his return did not change anything: Brooklyn (8th) lost 107-113 against Eastern Conference leader Miami. Durant, however, scored 31 points in 35 minutes (10 of 21 on shots), but he just missed the 3-point shot that could have allowed his team to take control with 58 seconds remaining. The score was then 107-109, and after this miss, Miami followed up with a 4-0 to seal the victory. Before that, the Nets had dominated the entire first half, up to sixteen points ahead in the middle of the second quarter (67-60, mt). But the Heat, led by a Bam Adebayo with 30 points and 11 rebounds and a Tyler Herro with 27 points and 8 assists, equalized in the middle of the third quarter and was then no longer led, despite this scare at the end.
MVP of the night: Jayson Tatum
This is a great way to celebrate his birthday! On his 24th birthday, Jayson Tatum was a hit in Boston’s 120-107 victory (5th in the East) over Memphis (3rd in the West). He scored 37 points (14 of 25 on shots), took 6 rebounds and delivered 5 assists in total, but it was especially in the last quarter, won 37-35 by his team, that he shone, in scoring 21 points. Even Ja Morant (38pts, 7 pds), opposite, could not do anything. Boston led almost from start to finish during this meeting and Tatum managed a festival at the end of the game, even if the victory was already almost acquired since the Celtics led 83-72 at the end of the third quarter. This promises before the clash against Brooklyn on Sunday!
The flop of the night: Golden State
Memphis lost and therefore could not take advantage of Golden State’s new misstep to take second place. The Warriors have indeed suffered their third loss in a row, the second in four days against Dallas. Winners 101-107 at Chase Center on Monday, the Mavericks won this time 122-113 on their floor. Carried by an exceptional Luka Doncic, who finished with 41 points (15 of 26 on shots), 10 rebounds and 9 assists, the Texans were never led during this game where they were up to 17 points ahead. at the start of the second half. But the Warriors managed to equalize 6’28 from the buzzer (104-104), before conceding an 18-9 in the money-time and suffering a seventh defeat in nine games. Jordan Poole finishes with 23 points, Stephen Curry with 21 and Andrew Wiggins with 17. Next game for the Warriors: at the Lakers on Saturday.
The French of the night: Nicolas Batum
Fourth straight defeat for the Lakers, beaten by the Clippers, who won the Los Angeles derby for the fourth time this season, with a score of 132-111. The Lakers held on for a quarter, before collapsing and falling up to 30 points behind at the end of the third quarter, despite a LeBron James with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. But opposite, Reggie Jackson was on fire, with 36 points on the clock (but also 8 rebounds and 9 assists), his record for the season. For his 900th regular season game in the NBA, Nicolas Batum scored 6 points, took 5 rebounds and delivered 3 assists.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Atlanta Hawks – Chicago Bulls : 130-124
>>> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (ATL) did not play, by decision of the coach
Boston Celtics – Memphis Grizzlies : 120-107
>>> Killian Tillie (MEM) did not play, by decision of the coach
>>> Yves Pons (MEM) was not in the group
Toronto Raptors – Detroit Pistons : 106-108
>>> Stats of Killian Hayes (DET): 18 minutes of play, 0 points (0/3 on shots including 0/2 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 lost ball, 3 fouls
Dallas Mavericks – Golden State Warriors : 122-113
>>> Frank Ntilikina (DAL) did not play, by decision of the coach
Los Angeles Clippers – Los Angeles Lakers: 132-111
>>> Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 19 minutes of play, 6 points (2/2 on shots including 2/2 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul
San Antonio Spurs- Sacramento Kings : 112-115
Brooklyn Nets – Miami Heat : 107-113
