One is a dominant center with a privileged physique and the other is a tireless and very undisciplined point guard, but Anthony Davis and José Alvarado, each with their own characteristics and virtues, were undoubtedly the names with a capital letter of this Sunday in the NBA.
MAGI 119 – LAKERS 130
With a majestic performance of 55 points (22-of-30 shooting) and 17 rebounds, Anthony Davis led this seemingly reborn Lakers, who defeated the Washington Wizards and had eight wins in their last ten games.
Davis is the fifth player to score 50 or more points in a game this season after Joel Embiid (59), Devin Booker (51), Darius Garland (51) and Stephen Curry (50).
Kristaps Porzingis (27 points and 9 rebounds) and Kyle Kuzma (26 points and 7 rebounds) led Washington.
PELICANS 121 – NUGGETS 106
Puerto Rican José Alvarado signed his best game in the NBA and, with 38 points and a superb 8 of 11 in 3-pointers, was instrumental in the New Orleans Pelicans’ victory against the Denver Nuggets.
Nuggets coach Mike Malone was ejected for complaining to officials.
Among the Pelicans, Spaniard Willy Hernangómez also stood out, accumulating four consecutive victories, with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in 20 minutes.
In the Nuggets Nikola Jokic came very close to the triple double (32 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists).
RETI 92 – CELTIC 103
After four consecutive victories, The Brooklyn Nets ended their victorious march against the Boston Celtics of Jaylen Brown (34 points and 10 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (29 points and 11 rebounds).
Kevin Durant had 31 points and 7 rebounds for the Nets, while Al Horord had 3 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 33 minutes for the Celtics.
JACKETS 116 – PACER 100
After seven games out with injury, Damian Lillard returned with the Portland Trail Blazers and had 21 points and 6 assists to defeat the Indiana Pacers.
Jerami Grant (28 points) and Myles Turner (24 points and 9 rebounds) were the leading scorers for the Blazers and Pacers, respectively.
KING 110 – BULLS 101
Not even Zach LaVine’s 41 points and 8 rebounds could win the Chicago Bullsone of the disappointments of the season so far and that added their third straight loss losing to the Sacramento Kings.
Once again with a very collective performance, the Kings, who had a three-game winning streak, were led by Domantas Sabonis (triple-double with 11 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists) leading a group of six players over 10 points.
KNICKS 92 – KNIGHTS 81
With a ridiculous 8 for 35 in triples and clearly short on rebounds (39 vs. 54), Cleveland Cavaliers shipwrecked in New York against a Knicks that badly needed a win after losing six of their last eight games.
Jalen Brunson (23 points) was the most outstanding for the locals and Donovan Mitchell (23 points) led Cleveland.
PISTONS 112 – GRILLE 122
With Ja Morant in the lead (33 points and 10 assists), the Memphis Grizzlies won without too many obstacles against the Detroit Pistonswhich had Saddiq Bey (24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists) as the best player.
Spaniard Santi Aldama signed a very complete performance coming as a backup with 5 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in 18 minutes for Memphis.
SPURS 95 – ONLY 133
How far can the San Antonio Spurs fall? For now he hasn’t hit rock bottom – unless everything is a strategy to get the number one in the draft and pick the coveted Victor Wembanyama – and this Sunday he suffered his 11th consecutive loss by losing by a wide margin and at home against the Phoenix Suns.
Deandre Ayton (25 points and 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes) led the Suns and Keldon Johnson (27 points) did the same in San Antonio.
