NBA: It’s easier to get into Fort Knox than to score a basket on the Celtics

Gpart of the gold reserves of United States They’re in Fort Knoxa military base located in Kentucky and it is reputed to be impregnable. Well, score a basket to the Celtics it’s even more difficult than getting in there. those of Boston They have the best defense NBA and that is what he is throwing at them lately. They have won 18 of their last 21 matches. It’s time to talk about them again.

before the Pistons, reached the last quarter winning only by two points (92-90). It was time to get used back. and when they apply Robert Williams III, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, there is no one in the NBA like them. The first basket in play Detroit It arrived with 30 seconds remaining in the game. It was a tray Seddiq Bey. Until that point, the only scoring drive the Celtics allowed in that period were free throws. The visitors ended up losing 114-103 after scoring only 13 points in the last act.

That, in defense. In attack, Boston relied again on the extraordinary moment Tatum is going through. He scored 31 points in what was his fifth straight game of him reaching his 30s. It’s the longest streak of his career. He added eight rebounds and six assists. Brown had 22 points, Smart had 20 and Williams III helped with 12+9.

The Celtics lead the NBA in defensive efficiency with 105.6 points conceded per 100 possessions and allow 104 per game, trailing only the Cavaliers and Mavericks (103.7). Those who meet them in the playoffs already know that they have to be prepared to storm a fortress.

Gary Trent Jr. scored 42 points for the Raptors surprise the leaders Suns by 112-117. The shooting guard made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including eight 3-pointers in 11 attempts, and fell two points off the best scoring record of his NBA career. The record of his father, in 506 games in the League, was 33. Paskal Siakam also shone in the ranks of Toronto with 25 and 10 assists. those of Phoenix they had their entire starting lineup above 10 points with Cameron Payne (24) and Devin Booker (22) as most outstanding players. They are surviving quite well in the absence of the injured Chris Paulwho usually exercises before games, although his return has no set date.

The Grizzlies They continue to confirm themselves as a team to keep in mind in the playoffs. before the Knicks they got the game ahead (118-114) thanks to Ja Morant, who finished with 37 points and is averaging 34.8 in the last seven games. But as much as the performance of the point guard weighed the 16 blocks that those of Memphishis top of the season. Years Jackson Jr. put up five and was especially intimidating in the fourth quarter, when the New York the hoop was closed. “The fourth quarter was Jaren’s. His defensive presence was huge. We’re a totally different team with him on the floor. He turned us on,” Morant said. The 36 points and 12 rebounds of Julius Randle They were not enough for the visitors.

The Timberwolves they were the best team in the NBA since the break of All Star. His balance since then was 7-1. They promise you happiness on your trip to Orlandobut they found a great version of the Magic, which cut their streak (118-110). The sum of Mo Bamba (27+12) and Wendell Carter Jr. (20+10) was too much for those of Minnesotawhich they had in Anthony Edwards (25 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (21+13) to their best troops.

“Our defense was unacceptable,” he said. Willie Greenafter their Pelicans they lost by 120-142. The Hornets they scored 22 triples, made 59.8% of their field goals and distributed 41 assists. “When we move the ball and share it, we are at our best level. Obviously, then you have to hit the shots and we hit them,” he summarized James Borrego, technician of the winners. those of Charlotte benefited from the losses of CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingramthe two best scorers of his rival. Willy Hernangmez He played 22 minutes and finished with 15 points without fail from the field and six rebounds.