The Toronto Raptors snapped a nine-game losing streak by beating the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday amid great anticipation for the future of point guard Kyle Lowry, while the Jazz overwhelmed the Nets without Harden, Irving and Durant.
The Raptors, in full turmoil due to poor results and conflicts in the locker room, surprised by defeating the Denver Nuggets, who occupy fifth place in the Western Conference, 135-111.
Lowry, with 8 points and 9 assists, was the only starter who did not reach double digits in scoring.
His teammates Pascal Siakam (27 points), OG Anunoby (23), Norman Powell (22) and Fred VanVleet (19) starred in a spectacular offensive night for the Raptors, who had already scored 72 points at halftime.
The 11th-place Canadian team in the East is experiencing an intense week amid negotiations with other teams and internal problems, with Siakam and manager Nick Nurse meeting on Sunday.
The Raptors have less than 24 hours to decide whether to make a move in the transfer market that closes Thursday.
All eyes in the NBA are on Lowry, the most iconic player in its history, who could leave Toronto after nine successful seasons in which he won the team’s only ring in 2019.
The point guard, who at 34 years old averages 17.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, ends his contract at the end of the season and the Raptors could now accept any of the offers received so as not to lose him later in exchange for nothing.
“I wish I could give you an answer,” Lowry said of his possible exit. “In the end I will have a decision and I will work on it and if something happens, it happens. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. Everything happens for a reason. Right now, I don’t know.”
The Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat and even the Los Angeles Lakers are among the franchises that aspire to take over the point guard, according to ESPN.
For the Nuggets, Serbian power forward Nikola Jokic and Canadian point guard Jamal Murray reached 20 points each and Argentine Facundo Campazzo finished with 6 points, 2 triples, 1 rebound and 2 assists in 18 minutes of play.
– Jazz beat some Nets without the ‘Big 3 “-
With their three superstars absent, the Brooklyn Nets were beaten 118-88 by the Utah Jazz, led by guard Donovan Mitchell (27 points) and veteran Mike Conley (18).
The Nets, who lost second place in the East to the Milwaukee Bucks, rested James Harden for his neck discomfort.
With the loss of Harden, coupled with Kevin Durant (hamstring injury) and Kyrie Irving (family reasons), the Nets had no option against the Jazz, first ranked in the West.
– Bucks golpean a Celtics –
In a tight end, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 121-119 without needing the best version of Giannis Antetokounmpo (13 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists).
Guard Khris Middleton, with 27 points and 13 rebounds, was in charge of Milwaukee’s offensive direction.
Young forward Jayson Tatum, the Celtics star, had a dull night with 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker had 24 and 23 points, respectively.
With 121-119 and just two seconds left, center Brook Lopez blocked a Marcus Smart tackle that would have put Boston ahead.
The Celtics had one last chance to win but center Daniel Theis missed a triple on the horn.
The Celtics occupy a disappointing eighth position in the East and are in talks with other franchises looking for an operation that can revitalize the direction of the team.
– Suns stumble against Orlando –
The Phoenix Suns, second-ranked in the West, suffered an unexpected 112-111 setback against the Orlando Magic, penultimate in the East.
Montenegrin center Nikola Vucevic (27 points and 14 rebounds) and French guard Evan Fournier (21 points and 4 triples), another of the players who could change teams on Thursday, were once again the mainstays of the Florida franchise.
For the Suns, guard Devin Booker scored 25 points and veteran point guard Chris Paul another 23.
Results of Wednesday’s NBA matchday:
Indiana Pacers – Detroit Pistons 116-111
Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics 121-119
Toronto Raptors – Denver Nuggets 135-111
Orlando Magic – Phoenix Suns 112-111
Chicago Bulls – Cleveland Cavaliers 94-103
Houston Rockets – Charlotte Hornets 97-122
Minnesota Timberwolves – Dallas Mavericks 108-128
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 107-116
San Antonio Spurs – LA Clippers 101-134
Utah Jazz – Brooklyn Nets 118-88
Atlanta Hawks – Sacramento Kings 108-110
gbv
–
