Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Sunday January 15, 2023 at 07:56
Like its star Ja Morant, author of an extraordinary dunk, Memphis continues to reign over the Western Conference (alongside Denver) with a ninth victory in a row, in Indiana. Eastern leader Boston meanwhile won in Charlotte. Portland, meanwhile, ended their losing streak by dominating Dallas.
But who will be able to stop Memphis? The Grizzlies are in brilliant form, and they signed their ninth straight victory this Saturday! This time, it’s Indiana (8th from the East) who couldn’t face anything against Ja Morant and his gang, losing 112-130 in his room. Memphis took control of this match after a quarter of an hour of play, and then did not let go, even counting 34 points ahead in the middle of the last quarter. The Grizzlies never flinched during this game, and were able to put on a show, like Ja Morant, author of 23 points and 10 assists, but also an extraordinary dunk in the last quarter, “posterizing” Jalen Smith. “It’s the best dunk of my career, easily! This is what everyone was waiting for, I finally did it, ”reacted the n°2 of the 2019 Draft, left in levitation on this action. Memphis was also able to count on 25 points from Desmond Bane (25 also for Chris Duarte on the Pacers side), and returned to a tie with Denver at the top of the West before receiving a Phoenix in crisis during Martin Luther King Day on Monday.
Lillard domine Doncic
In one of the posters of the night in the West, Portland (11th) ended its five-game losing streak by defeating Dallas (5th) with a score of 136-119. The clash between Damian Lillard and Luka Doncic largely turned in favor of the American, author of 36 points and 10 assists in 30 minutes, against 15 points (worst total of his season) and 10 assists in 36 minutes for the Slovenian. In its wake, Portland led almost from start to finish in this game, except for the first five minutes, and its lead even climbed to +26 in the middle of the last quarter. Dallas will have the opportunity to take revenge this Sunday, since the two teams will face each other again in Oregon.
Boston overthrows Charlotte
In the East, the leader Boston signed a sixth victory in a row, on the floor of Charlotte (106-122). Trailing by 16 points midway through the second quarter, the Celtics swept the Hornets in the third quarter, winning 19-33, and then rolled late in the game. Jayson Tatum scored 17 of his 33 points in the decisive third quarter, and Malcolm Brogdon added 30 points to secure this 32nd success of the season, which allows Boston to count five wins ahead of its runner-up Brooklyn (but the C’s have played three more games). LaMelo Ball meanwhile scored 31 points, took 7 rebounds and delivered 9 assists for the Hornets, who will host Boston again on Monday.
Gobert comes out injured
Also note this Saturday the victory of Miami 111-95 against Milwaukee (deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo, hit in the knee), that of Philadelphia in Utah for a small point (117-118), thanks to a decisive basket from Joel Embiid, author 30 points and 7 rebounds (31pts and 11pds for James Harden) and finally Minnesota’s 110-102 success over Cleveland, with Anthony Edwards on 26 points and despite the injury in the second quarter of Rudy Gobert, touched on the ‘elder.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Saturday January 14, 2023
Charlotte Hornets – Boston Celtics : 106-122
Théo Maledon (CHA), sent to the G-League, did not play
The Minnesota Timberwolves – Cleveland Cavaliers : 110-102
Rudy Gobert (MIN) stats: 13 minutes of play, 6 points (2/3 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 2/2 on free throws), 4 rebounds, 1 interception, 1 foul
Portland Trail Blazers – Dallas Mavericks : 136-119
Stats of Frank Ntilikina (DAL): 22 minutes of play, 7 points (3/5 on shots including 1/3 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 1 rebound, 1 interception, 2 lost balls
Miami Heat – Milwaukee Bucks : 111-95
Indiana Pacers – Memphis Grizzlies : 112-130
Toronto Raptors – Atlanta Hawks : 103-114
Utah Jazz – Philadelphia 76ers : 117-118
