We start with the rather exciting confrontation between the Cavaliers, true cinderella of this year, and the Grizzlies who remain on 5 victories in a row and big impressions. From the start, it’s Jarrett Allen which lays the basis for this confrontation. Well shaped, the pivot is happy inside to compensate for the usual contributions of the opposing rear guard: Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. They are in good shape and as usual lead the team with 17 quick pts. The two teams do not leave each other at the scoreboard but the good passage of Years Jackson Jr in the second quarter and just before the break allows the Grizzlies to pass half-time (57-55). The overall level drops very quickly after returning from the locker room but JJJ maintains his great form and wears his own. The two teams do not leave each other, each brings his own even if the success is not too present on the side of Darius Garland and while Cleveland had broken the advantage despite the good passage of the bench of the Grizzlies, Ja Morant decided to wake up late in the game and take matters into his own hands. Clutch as often, the leader will register 10 points in the last minutes to carry his to a beautiful victory 110-106 Cleveland! He finished with 26 points alongside JJJ’s 22 and opposite, Allen posted 22 pts and 12 rebounds alongside Garland’s 27 points and 10 assists.
On the Toronto side, absolutely no debate in this 129-104 Raptors victory. For this, the gap was particularly made during the second quarter won 38-24 while Fred Van Vleet had already scored 24 of his 33 points. Limits, the Spurs never showed anything despite the 19-12 of Poeltl. A ct de FVV, Gary Trent Jr displays 21 points and Siakam 18-12 in this health walk.
Same style of victory from the Suns who “only” won 123-110 by dominating the entire game. However, they scared each other as the very good Pelicans Jonas Valančiūnas (25 pts, 16 rebounds) and a good Devonte‘ Graham (28 pts) came close to 2 points a few minutes from the end. Corn Devin Booker, excellent this evening with his 33 points perfectly concluded a work directed by Chris Paul and his 11 pts and 15 assists. The 23 points of Mikal Bridges and the good passage out of the bench biyombo are noted in this well-deserved victory
On the side of New York, a solid victory for the Knicks against the Pacers, still a little deeper into the abyss. And yet, Indiana had already come halfway, so elbowed on the break. But the difference, especially rebounds (51-35) is too important and the Knicks will take possession of the second period as their garden. For this, the Big Apple was able to count on the return to the foreground of its shock duo: Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. The first, author of the best game (statistically) of the night, finished his score with 30 points and 16 rebounds (12/20 on shots) while the second also posted a 12/20 on shots but with 32 points and 8 rebounds . A beautiful duo of shock to resist the 22 points of Keifer Sykes and 15-8 of Sabonis and thus win 104-94 in a match where offensive success was not the watchword!
We end with the usual Sacramento Kings – Los Angeles Lakers which always keeps its promises. In this one, the Lakers were scared, like the last time, in particular thanks to the 30 points of Fox and 26 of Buddy Held. They got down to the first half to try to put pressure on the Lakers from between and came back when the Angelinos tried to take the reins of the game in the second quarter. Everyone surrenders blow for blow and the gap always remains under 7 points, regardless of the team. Talen Horton-Tucker finally find success, Dwight Howard made a good passage and LeBron James is well presented as always. But when the last quarter arrives and the Kings still in contact, the King decides to take matters into his own hands and with an excellent Malik Monk (11 of getting 24 pts) his side and will be clutched as possible with 14 points in the last 7 minutes. Sacramento will not resist (despite a real arbitration muddle in the last seconds) and LeBron James will close the debate with his 31st point. To note the 19-7 of Westbrook without loss of ball! A first for more than 400 matches.
Memphis 110 Cleveland 106
San Antonio 104 Toronto 129
Indiana 94 New York 104
Phoenix 123 New Orleans 110
Sacramento 114 LA Lakers 122
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