A record Tatum for rested Celtics
What if the Boston revival had only been due to a small gift granted by Brad Stevens? The Massachusetts franchise tech probably got it right by giving his players a day off after their loss to Philadelphia on Thursday (109-98), in what was the franchise’s third straight loss this season. Returning home with renewed energy, the Celtics crushed the New Orleans Pelicans (140-105) on Saturday night, although unable to resist.
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Carried by their skill (55% success, including 14/29 at three points) and especially by an untenable Jayson Tatum (41 points – personal best – at 16 out of 22 shooting), the locals widened a first gap on the twelve first minutes (41-24) and put on a layer after the break (42-25 in the third quarter). With the exception of the clumsy Jaylen Brown (13 points at 4 out of 15), all of the C’s major players contributed significantly: 19 points for Gordon Hayward, 17 units and 7 assists for Kemba Walker, and a huge double- double for Enes Kanter (22 points and 19 rebounds, his best marks of the season). Here is Boston, third in the East (26v-11d), revived in a spectacular way with the hope of continuing Monday night against Chicago.
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Harden and Westbrook make a pair
If the Houston Rockets took a little longer than the Celtics to take full measure of the Minnesota Timberwolves (139-109) – still deprived of Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) – they were not really worried since being worn by their Harden-Westbrook duo. The two accomplices did not have to force their nature to lead their team to a fourth success in five matches: “The Beard” compiled 32 points (at 8/17), 12 rebounds and 8 assists (11 stray balls however! ) in just 28 minutes of play, while Westbrook finished the game with 30 units, 6 rebounds and 10 assists (33 minutes played).
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20 000
James Harden broke the 20,000 point mark in the regular season on Saturday night. He is the 45th player in NBA history to achieve this, and the 7th youngest.
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The good surprise came from Isaiah Hartenstein, who replaced Clint Capela at the pivot position. The interior, drafted by the Rockets in 2017, validated a big double-double (17 points, 15 rebounds), failing a basket from his season record (19 points two weeks ago against New Orleans). At the end of the meeting, which quickly took a back seat, Westbrook paid tribute to James Harden, who was able to keep the match ball (offered to his mother): ” To have succeeded (20 000 points) playing at a very, very high level is something you don’t take for granted. Growing up in Los Angeles and watching him grow over the years is a blessing as a friend and I’m really happy for him. »
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