Mathieu WARNIER, published on Saturday March 27, 2021 at 08:10 am
While James Harden was important to Brooklyn’s victory in Detroit, the LA Lakers were able to contend without Anthony Davis and LeBron James when Milwaukee saw their streak come to an end at eight straight wins.
Game of the night: Lakers return to victory
The Lakers find colors. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis once again watched the game from afar, the California franchise was able to compose without its two stars against the Cleveland Cavaliers to end a series of four games without a win. Between Cavs on AC for several days and Lakers in difficulty, the first half of the game was noticeably dominated by the franchise of Ohio, led by Larry Nance Jr (17 points, 10 rebounds). But it wasn’t until the final minutes before halftime that Cleveland was able to build a significant gap and take a ten-point lead. But it was back on the floor of the Staples Center that the teammates of a Montrezl Harrell (24 points, 10 rebounds) off the bench gave the “la” of the meeting. With a 19-2 at the start of the third quarter, the Lakers completely reversed the trend and, if the Cavs then came back to four lengths, it was only an accident in a one-sided end of the game. for the Los Angeles players, who ultimately won by fourteen points (100-86) so as not to lose contact with the Western Conference podium when Cleveland continues to chain defeat after victory.
The MVP of the night: Harden essential for the Nets
If the Nets were able to return to victory after their loss in Utah, the Brooklyn franchise owes a lot to James Harden. With 44 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists, the back was able to avoid a great disillusionment with his training against the Pistons. Because if the Detroit players stood up to the Nets early in the game, the latter raised the tone before the end of the first twelve minutes before reaching halftime with nine lengths ahead. But, while it seemed that the Nets had everything to get their hands on the game back on the floor, it was not. Because, under the leadership of Jerami Grant (19 points) and Mason Plumlee (13 points, 10 rebounds), the Pistons put pressure on their opponents who gave in to only have four lengths ahead at twelve minutes from the end of the match after momentarily losing control on the scoreboard. If, to their pride, the Nets were able to regain an eleven point lead at the start of the last quarter, Saddiq Bey (14 points) gave the two teams equal just over two minutes from the end of the match. . However, in the game of free throws, the Nets snatch the victory (111-113) and remain in second place in the Eastern Conference, which Detroit brings up the rear after this third loss in a row.
The flop of the night: The Bucks stop at eight
And the win also allows the Nets to keep the Milwaukee Bucks at bay. Because, after eight wins in a row, the teammates of a Giannis Antetokounmpo in small form (16 points, 8 rebounds) have returned to defeat in a one-sided game on their floor against Boston. The Celtics, who have not yet been able to count on the reinforcement of Evan Fournier, ended the Bucks’ streak ball in the second half of the game during which there was no dispute. Because, before the break, the teammates of Jayson Tatum (34 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), were jostled but were led to the score only eight small seconds at the conclusion of an 8-0 for the Bucks in end of first quarter. It was only after returning from the locker room that the Celtics took control of the proceedings, widening a gap reaching 20 points at the very end of the third quarter. With 21 steps ahead with just under seven minutes to go, the New England players loosened the grip, allowing Khris Middleton’s teammates (19 points) to close the gap to avoid tilt only eight points (114-122). If the Celtics find color in front of a routed Miami Heat and beaten for the sixth time in a row in Charlotte (110-105), the Bucks see their comeback come to an end with their great series.
The French of the night: Gobert always present
The Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City is always more breathtaking. For the 18th time in a row, the Jazz emerged victorious from a home match and Rudy Gobert is no stranger to it. If Donovan Mitchell (35 points,) led the charge for Utah, the French pivot was very present (25 points, 9 rebounds) in a match which however did not go far from escaping them. If the Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant (32 points, 11 rebounds) and Jonas Valanciunas (14 points, 18 rebounds), quickly took the lead, it did not last very long. At the end of the first quarter, the Jazz put under the extinguisher his opponent to take fourteen lengths in advance. An advantage that the Utah players were able to build on before half-time but, little by little, the Grizzlies fell behind when they returned from the locker room, entering the last quarter with only nine points behind. If an acceleration at the start of the last twelve minutes allowed the Jazz to rebuild a 17-point mattress, the Memphis players immediately responded to return under the ten-point gap before a tense end of the game. With just five points scored in the final three minutes, the Utah players were vulnerable but the Grizzlies didn’t fully benefit, falling to just three points (117-114) after three straight wins. The Jazz, winner for the fourth time in a row, consolidates its first place in the West while Phoenix returned from Tampa with a victory against the Raptors (114-122).
BASKET – NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Friday March 26, 2021
Detroit Pistons – Brooklyn Nets : 111-113
> Sekou Doumbouya (DET): 0 points to 0/1 on shots (including 0/1 three points), 1 rebound and 1 interception in 5 minutes
> Killian Hayes (DET) did not play
> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (BKN): 7 2/8 points on shots (including 1/6 three points) and 2/2 on free throws, 6 rebounds, 1 pass, 1 interception, 3 ball losses and 6 fouls in 22 minutes
Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics : 114-122
> Axel Toupane (MIL): 2 1/1 points on shots and 1 assist in 6 minutes
> Evan Fournier (BOS) did not play
Toronto Raptors – Phoenix Suns : 100-104
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat : 110-105
Minnesota Timberwolves – Houston Rockets : 107-101
New Orleans Pelicans – Denver Nuggets : 108-113
Orlando Magic – Portland Trail Blazers : 105-112
Dallas Mavericks – Indiana Pacers : 94-109
Utah Jazz – Memphis Grizzlies : 117-114
> Rudy Gobert (UTAH): 25 points at 11/14 on shots and 3/4 on free throws, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks and 3 fouls in 32 minutes
> Killian Tillie (MEM) did not play
Golden State Warriors – Atlanta Hawks : 108-124
Los angeles lakers – Cleveland Cavaliers : 100-86
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