Ctherefore the matches scheduled in the third to last round of theNBA Cupnow in full swing. In the East, i Chicago Bulls they visit the Washington Wizardswho after an encouraging start to the season have lost eleven consecutive games and are in last place in the Eastern Conference with the worst record in the league. The duel between is intriguing Milwaukee Bucksclearly recovering after the terrible start to the regular season, and Miami Heat (three wins in the last four games). In the West, however, the head-to-head between stands out Phoenix Suns e Los Angeles Lakers. The surprising Houston Rockets take on the up-and-down Minnesota Timberwolves, while the San Antonio Spurs take on the Utah Jazz.
Nikola Vučević marked by rookie Alex Sarr during the match between Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. (Source: Chicago Bulls).
NBA Cup, the Bulls and Bucks are smiling in the East
All easy for me Chicago Bullswho made up for the recent defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies with a great show of strength on the pitch Washington Wizards. The home team started off on the right foot and closed the first quarter on +8 (29-21), but it was a flash in the pan. In the second period, in fact, the Bulls scored the partial that effectively directed the game (40-18), shooting with great efficiency both from the field (9/14) and from three (4/7). Chicago slightly increased its lead in the last 12 minutes, winning 127-108. Seven players scored double figures among the guests. Among these, it stands out Coby Whiteauthor of 21 points and 8 rebounds with 54% shooting (7/13) and 56% from behind the arc (5/9). No less important are the contributions of Vucevic (double double of 19 points and 12 rebounds) e LaVine (18 points with 4/8 from long range). Kuzma’s 23 points and 20 from rookie Alex Sarr, second overall pick in the last draft, are not enough for Washington.
The excellent moment continues Milwaukee Bucks. After a start to forget (eight defeats in the first ten games), Doc Rivers’ men have definitely changed gear. In Antetokounmpo’s absence, he takes over the position Damian Lillardwho with a sumptuous double double of 37 points and 12 assists with 59% from the field (10/17) and 62% from behind the arc (8/13) allowed the Bucks to win 106-103 at Miami Heat. Good too Brook Lopezwho scored 13 points with 100% from three (3/3), e Bobby Portis (11 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes coming off the bench).
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard takes the spotlight for the Bucks, who also beat the Miami Heat. (Source: Milwaukee Bucks).
Milwaukee never stops, Lillard decisive
Double figures also for Connaughton and Prince, who finished with 10 points each. The Heat they capitulate despite five players in double figures, including the usual ones Butler (23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists with 6/12 shooting), Herro (18 points, 5 rebounds and as many assists) e Adebayo (16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists with 6/9 from the field). The test was also positive Rozierwho recorded 17 points with 7/9 shooting and 3/4 from long range in 21 minutes coming off the bench.
The hosts go into halftime with a heavy deficit (65-51), but at the end of the third quarter they bring themselves to -5 (85-80) and 4′ from the end of the match they equalize with a basket from Butler which is worth the 96-96. What definitively condemns them are the two very heavy triples of A.J. Greenwho sign the +4. Rozier tries to reopen the game with the triple of -1 with 30 seconds to go, but the two winning free throws by Prince they archive the practice. Fifth consecutive victory, as well as seventh in the last eight races, for i Buckswho return to the playoff zone with a 50% record (9-9).
Alperen Sengün shoots, marked by Rudy Gobert. The Turk scores 7 of his 22 points in overtime. (Source: Houston Rockets).
NBA Cup, another knockout for Minnesota
The Houston Rockets they inflict the third consecutive defeat on the Minnesota Timberwolvesprevailing 117-111 in overtime. THE rockets they lead to +10 at halftime (57-47), only to then squander the double-digit lead in the second half, allowing Minnesota to recover and even move to +5 just over three minutes before the siren sounded (102 -97). The triple of VanVleet (27 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists) and the basket of Amen Thompson (15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks) bring the match back to a draw, therefore Gobert he avoids defeat with a great block on Sengün and Edwards misses the shot that would have avoided extra time.
In overtime it was decisive Sengunwho scores 7 of the 15 points with which the Rockets win 117-111. Triple double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and as many blocks for the big Turkish player. 22 points also for Dillon BrooksWhile Jabari Smith he adds 19 with 8/9 shooting and 3/4 from three. Among the Timberwolves, the best scorer is Anthony Edwards (double double of 29 points and 10 rebounds). Randle finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds on 50% from the field (9/18), Naz Reid (19 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals), Alexander-Walker (13 points) and Dillingham (12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists ) assert themselves coming off the bench. Despite that, Minnesota he loses again and slips to eleventh place.
Kevin Durant at the rim against the Los Angeles Lakers: 23 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists with 9/17 shooting for KD on his return from injury. (Source: Phoenix Suns).
NBA Cup, the Spurs do well. Suns unleashed
Negative moment for the kids too Utah Jazzcapable of winning only one of their last five games. The Salt Lake City franchise falls at home in front of the San Antonio Spurswhich beats Utah for the third time out of four this season. The final 128-115 bears the signature of the usual Victor Wembanyamawho scored 34 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal and 3 blocks with 57% shooting (13/23) and 43% from three (6/14). The rookie also did well Stephon Castleauthor of 23 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, e Chris Paul (14 points and 4 assists). In vain for the Jazz were the performances of Keyonte George (26 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists) and Collins and Sexton, who finished with 20 points each (the former also had 13 rebounds).
Third straight defeat for the Los Angeles Lakerswho for the first time lose inNBA Cup. The Californians, reigning champions and undefeated in the tournament since last year (9-0), lost with a clear 127-100 at the hands of Phoenix Sunswhich they recover Kevin Durant e Bradley Bealout due to injury in recent weeks. The two immediately made themselves appreciated by making a noteworthy contribution to the cause.
Both scored 23 points with 6/12 from behind the arc. Devin Bookerfor his part, scored 26 points and 10 assists. The double doubles of Anthony Davis (25 points and 15 rebounds) and LeBron James (18 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists) are not enough for the Lakers. The first half is balanced (62-60 for the Suns), but in the third quarter Phoenix brings out the best in himself and cuts the legs off Lakers with a partial of 36-18, which effectively decides the match.
Featured photo source: NBA.com
Dennis Izzo
