Nine games were on the night’s program in the NBA, including a good poster between Denver and Boston, won by the Celtics. Philadelphia, meanwhile, was beaten at home by Toronto.
The clash of the night: Denver – Boston
Third victory in a row for Boston, who struck a blow by winning by twenty points at one of the other teams in the form of the League, Denver. The Celtics won 104-124 by leading almost from start to finish, carried by a great Jayson Tatum, who finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. His friend Jaylen Brown was not left out, also with 30 points and 6 rebounds. Opposite, Nikola Jokic, who missed 14 shots in the first half, had to “settle” for 23 points (with an unusual 8 of 23 on shots), 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Like the Serb, the Nuggets missed their first half (43-68, mt), so Mike Malone decided to put his holders on the bench to start the second. A second won 61-56, but the case had long been heard.
MVP of the night: Devin Booker
The only team qualified for the play-offs to date, Phoenix has signed a fifth victory in a row, on the floor of Sacramento. But it was no picnic for the Suns, far from it. They indeed resorted to extra time before winning 124-127. The Kings even led by fourteen points at the start of the third quarter, but the defending vice-champions gradually returned and the last quarter was very close. It was Devon Mitchell who sent the two teams into overtime by scoring with three seconds remaining. An extension where the two teams passed in turn, and it was finally a 3-point shot from Landry Shamet (121-123) then a dunk from Torrey Craig (122-126) that made the difference for the Suns . But it is indeed Devin Booker who finished top scorer of the game, with 31 points, 11 out of 21 in shots, and 7 out of 7 in free throws.
The flop of the night: Philadelphia
The two Cameroonian basketball stars clashed this Sunday, and it was Pascal Siakam (26pts, 10rbds, 5pds) and his Raptors who got the better of Joel Embiid (21pts, 13rbds) and his 76ers! Toronto indeed went to win 88-93 in Philadelphia, after having been led most of the time. Doc Rivers’ men started the match well and were up to sixteen points ahead, before seeing the Canadians go ahead at the start of the second half (+5), then take control at the start of the last quarter. With 3’09 remaining, Philadelphia led 86-85, before conceding a 5-0, with three free throws from Gary Trent Jr and Precious Achiuwa and a shot from Pascal Siakam. A gap that turned out to be crippling for the 76ers because there were only fifteen seconds left to play. James Harden is not beyond reproach during this missed money-time, since he missed two free throws and a lay-up, but still finished with 17 points (5/12 on shots including 0/4 at 3pts), 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
The French of the night: Rudy Gobert
New York faced Utah this Sunday at Madison Square Garden, and the Jazz won a third straight victory, allowing them to come back to Golden State (3rd in the West) two games away, winning 93-108. Utah took control early in the second quarter and never let go, even though the Knicks were down to -4 midway through the final quarter. Donovan Mitchell carried his team (36pts, 8rbds, 6pds) and he was well helped by Rudy Gobert, who finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks, and a nice 10 of 12 in free throws. Salt Lake City players are ready for the clash in Brooklyn on Monday.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Sunday March 20, 2022
Houston Rockets – Memphis Grizzlies : 98-122
>>> Yves Pons and Killian Tillie (MEM) were not in the group
Atlanta Hawks – New Orleans Pelicans : 112-117
>>> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (ATL) did not play, by decision of the coach
Orlando Magic – Oklahoma City Thunder : 90-85
>>> Olivier Sarr’s stats (OKC): 18 minutes of play, 4 points (2/2 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 0 free throws attempted), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls
>>> Stats of Théo Maledon (OKC): 21 minutes of play, 10 points (3/10 on shots including 1/5 to 3pts, 3/5 on free throws), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 interception, 5 blocks, 5 lost balls, 3 fouls
New York Knicks – Utah Jazz : 93-108
>>> Stats of Evan Fournier (NYK): 28 minutes of play, 17 points (6/13 on shots including 5/10 at 3pts, 0/1 on free throws), 2 assists, 2 interceptions, 1 lost ball , 6 fouls
>>> Rudy Gobert’s stats (UTA): 33 minutes of play, 14 points (2/3 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 10/12 on free throws), 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 lost ball, 2 faults
Denver Nuggets – Boston Celtics : 104-124
Golden State Warriors – San Antonio Spurs : 108-110
Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors : 88-93
Sacramento Kings – Phoenix Suns : 124-127 ap
Indiana Pacers – Portland Trail Blazers : 129-98
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