The Knicks who overthrow the champion, fourth success in a row for Brooklyn, a resounding victory for Golden State: the summary of Friday night in the NBA.
– New York disgusts Milwaukee –
Nothing is going well for Milwaukee. The defending champion has won only one of his last five matches. And Friday, the Bucks led by 21 points on the floor of the Knicks before collapsing and conceding another defeat (113-98).
Over the last three quarters, the New Yorkers have inflicted a 94-60 to the Bucks, in front of 17,300 spectators.
“As soon as we started to get into it and we made some nice shots, it galvanized us and gave us energy,” enthused Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
Julius Randle stood out with 32 points and 12 rebounds. RJ Barrett scored 20 points for his fifth straight game at 20 points or more. And Derrick Rose, who entered during the match, got 23 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a bad evening, with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists all the same.
“Defensively, we lost our identity. After a good start, we stopped playing,” regretted Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.
Bad omen: the dark champion in the standings of the Eastern Conference, still moving away from the qualifying places for the play-offs.
– And four for Brooklyn –
Not the most successful, but the victory of the Nets against Detroit (96-90) allows the franchise of Brooklyn to extend to four its series of success.
Kevin Durant was the Nets’ best player, with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Since the start of the season, Durant has never scored less than 20 points, a first for the franchise.
James Harden went there with his triple-double (13 pts, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).
Largely in the lead at the start of the last quarter, Brooklyn saw the Pistons come back in force and had to fight not to be knocked down. Detroit rookie Cade Cunningham (17 pts) scored two three-point baskets in the last quarter, bringing the Pistons back to one point. But Durant took it upon himself to bring Brooklyn back to safety.
– Overwhelming Golden State –
In San Francisco, Golden State made short work of New Orleans (126-85).
The Pelicans held their own against Stephen Curry’s Warriors for a while, just 4 points behind at halftime. Then they completely sank.
This success places Golden State at the top of the Western Conference standings, tied with Utah (7-1). The Pelicans are at the bottom, in 15th place (1-9).
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