The billboard between the Mavericks and Celtics scheduled for Thursday in Texas promised well with the franchise of the amazing Luka Doncic (34 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this season) and a Boston team in great shape, leader of the Eastern Conference. Finally, the shock was broken when Jayson Tatum’s partners sweep Dallas (124-95), which nevertheless remained on a seven-game hitting streak.
7/23
Luka Doncic converted just 7 of his 23 shots last night against Boston. He failed in any of the 6 three point shots he attempted.
A candidate like Doncic for the title of MVP of the season, Jayson Tatum was much more decisive, assuming his status as the spearhead of the Celtics. The 24-year-old fullback signed a boss triple double (29 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) which facilitated his evening. At halftime, Boston already led by 18 points (64-46) and looked untouchable.
Thanks to a sparkling ball circulation that has been wreaking havoc since the start of the season, the Celtics, well supported by a bench once again up to par, quietly manage their lead until the buzzer. On the Mavericks side, Frenchman Frank Ntilikina, in six minutes on the court, did not score a single point or get a successful rebound or assist.
This 27th hit in 39 games keeps Boston’s lead in the Eastern Conference. Dallas, for its part, remains in fourth place in the West.
Denver repairs the Clippers
On his plan, Denver achieved an excellent collective performance against the absent Clippers (122-91). Los Angeles players stubbornly tried their luck on three-pointers, unsuccessfully (5/37), and left Colorado with the fourth defeat in a row.
7
Between them, Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George scored just 7 points against Denver.
The Nuggets didn’t even need an in-form Nikola Jokic to bring down the Californians. The reigning double MVP scored just 12 points (in 24 minutes), which didn’t stop his team from extending their lead to 43 points early in the third quarter. A total of six Nuggets finished with 10 or more points, with Canadian Jamal Murray winning (18 points).
Memphis supplies, Markkanen brings Jazz
In Orlando, Memphis briefly passed Denver atop the Western Conference, before the Nuggets regained the throne. The Grizzlies outscored the Florida team (123-115), despite a late-game slowdown that saw the Magic drop six short lengths in the final two minutes.
But Memphis’ lead, which peaked at 25 points, proved enough. Ja Morant, author of 32 points, one more than teammate Jaren Jackson, allowed his franchise to score the fifth consecutive success, even if for Orlando the Italian Paolo Banchero, number 1 of the last draft (30 points, 9 rebounds).
Houston, for its part, lost again, for the 29th time this season, and remains a red lantern in the West. His executioner, this time, wore the face of the Finnish Lauri Markkanen. The Utah Jazz outfielder scored 49 points, his personal best. A total that facilitated the great success of his team (131-114), tenth in the conference, after a series of five defeats.
