- New york knicks 101 – 87 atlanta hawks
This basketball night had started very early with the trip of the Hawks (deprived of Trae Young) to Madison Square Garden. Two sick teams this season and who wanted to take advantage of this particular day in the NBA to launch a new dynamic. From the 1st quarter, the meeting turned in favor of the Knicks. Deprived of their master’s play, Nate McMillan’s players shot only 37.9% over the entire game and never knew how to find the key against the collective of New Yorkers (five players over 10 points). John Collins finished the game with 20 points and 8 rebounds, insufficient to make the difference.
At the Knicks, Julius Randle ends the game with 25 points and 12 rebounds while Evan Fournier plants 15 points 50% on shots. Obi Toppin brings off the bench with his 13 points, finally salute the performance of Kemba Walker, author of a triple-double: 10 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
- Milwaukee Bucks 117 – 113 Boston celtics
The defending champion faced the Boston Celtics for this Christmas Day. Yet the house, the Bucks will struggle throughout the meeting. Mike Budenholzer’s players almost always chased after the score during this match and they owe their salvation only at the end of the match when they finished much better than their opponents. Giannis Antetokounmpo put on the warming blue. The Greek ends this game with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Despite an address below 50% (5/13), Khris Middleton is proving valuable with 17 units and 7 assists. Finally, 17 points for Jrue Holiday, 16 for Bobby Portis and an almost double-double for DeMarcus Cousins: 9 points, 8 rebounds.
Ct Celtics, Marcus Smart finished with 19 points, Payton Pritchard showed himself off the bench (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists). The duo Jaylen Brown (25) – Jayson Tatum (25) score 50 points, but even with a, it’s not enough. Ime Udoka players can blame themselves, they passed by a prestigious victory.
- Golden state warriors 116 – 107 phoenix suns
It was undoubtedly the most beautiful poster of the evening, the most indecisive too. The first in the West, Phoenix, against his runner-up, Golden State. The meeting was hooked from start to finish, as evidenced by the many changes of lead in the second and third quarters. Despite everything, Steve Kerr’s players are the ones who were able to tip the match in their favor. Behind a great Stephen Curry, author of 33 points (1st Christmas game + 20 points), Jonathan Kuminga was good (12 points) as was Gary Payton II (14 points, 8 rebounds). But the player who was really the justice of the peace in this match is none other than Otto Porter JR. The former Wizards finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in addition to a few baskets clutch.
In Phoenix, the collective was however effective (seven players 8 points or more) but that was not enough. The Warriors sign a victory “statement” and at the same time take over the throne of the Western Conference from their evening opponents.
- Brooklyn Nets 122 – 115 l.a lakers
In a blinded Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles players hosted Brooklyn in hopes of ending their four-game losing streak. The Lakers have been able to count on the return of Malik Monk and recent reinforcements from Darren Collison and Stanley Johnson. Despite a gala LeBron James, who was playing his 16th Christmas match (tie with Kobe Bryant) and who will finish with 39 points, the Purple & Gold do not manage to win the house. Yet twice the Lakers have returned from hell. Frank Vogel’s players went up from a deficit of 17 points in the 1st quarter and one of 20 points in the 4th. But opposite, the duo James Harden – Patty Mills was far too strong. Authors of 36 and 34 points, the two Nets took great pleasure in cutting the Californian defense. Nic Claxton prevailed in the paint with his 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks.
Ct Violine & Or, Malik Monk took good care of his return with 20 points while Carmelo Anthony put out a solid performance (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. On the other hand, Russell Westbrook had an evening nightmare . The former Thunder MVP torpedoed the efforts of his teammates in the last seconds of the game by enchanting the bad choices. He finished with a triple-double certainly but not decisive: 13 points, 11 assists, 12 rebounds and 3 losses ball.
Atlanta 87 New York 101
Boston 113 Milwaukee 117
GS 116 Phoenix 107
Brooklyn 122 LA Lakers 115
Dallas 116 Utah 120
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