The Suns, with Chris Paul in the role of the executioner, deprived the Knicks of a 10th victory in a row, Monday in the NBA, approaching at the same time the Utah Jazz, still defeated in Minnesota.
The Suns eclipse New York
The Knicks, 4th in the East, fell on stronger than them against Phoenix (118-110) and Chris Paul, who cooled them in the money-time, with seven consecutive points (20 in total, 6 assists ) successful within the last 80 seconds. Until then it was Devin Booker (33 pts) who had allowed the Suns, a time led by 15 units, to resurface, while Deandre Ayton (9 pts, 13 rebounds) was dissuasive inside in front New Yorker Julius Randle, limited to 18 points (6 rebounds). At his side, the efforts of Derrick Rose (22 pts, 6 assists) were in vain. “We knew it would be a dog fight from start to finish. Their streak was amazing, but we wanted to come show them what we had in the stomach, ”Booker conceded.
Despite an 8 of 8 shooting for Gobert
The gap is reduced (1.5 wins) between Phoenix and Utah, still beaten back-to-back by Minnesota (105-104). Still deprived of Donovan Mitchell (ankle), the Jazz does not have the same offensive performance (38.9% success on shots). Rudy Gobert however achieved an 8/8 (18 pts, 3 blocks) and could have been more in demand. In 3rd place remain the defeated Clippers in New Orleans (120-103), carried by Zion Williamson (23 pts). Paul George came through (9 pts, at 3/11).
Philly stops the bleeding
After four consecutive defeats, the Sixers (2nd in the East) returned to victory (121-90) at the expense of Oklahoma City, in full doldrums with a 14th loss in a row. Joel Embiid was, without forcing, the offensive engine (21 pts) of Philadelphia, which managed to grow 22 (!) Interceptions, shooting at 55% success. Outsider in the East, Atlanta (5th) was surprised in Detroit (100-86), weighed down by a deficient long-distance address (4/27) in the absence of Trae Young (ankle) and Lou Williams (sick) .
Anthony Davis finds his rhythm-
After three defeats in a row, the Lakers recovered in Orlando (114-103). If Dennis Shroder was their best scorer (21 pts, 10 assists), Anthony Davis showed the best (18 pts, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks) for his third game since his return from injury (Achilles tendon). “The rhythm is gradually returning. I’m not yet the “AD” I want to be, but it will come, ”he promised. For LA, 5th in the West and who hopes to recover LeBron James (ankle) as quickly as possible, the objective is not to come out of the top six. The defending champion remains quite far from 4th place occupied by Denver, easy winner of Memphis (120-96) thanks in particular to Michael Porter Jr (31 pts) and Nikola Jokic (24 pts, 15 rebounds), and ahead with a small mattress Dallas (6th), beaten in Sacramento (113-106).
The fight for dams
In each conference, the teams ranked 7th through 10th will compete for two tickets for the play-offs. And in San Antonio, the Spurs (9th in the West) had to work to bring down, after extra time (146-143), Washington (10th in the East) who remained on nine consecutive successes. A great DeMar DeRozan (37 pts, 10 assists) had the last word on an excellent Bradley Beal (45 pts). And Dejounte Murray (25 pts, 17 rebounds) struggled against Russell Westbrook, author of his 29th triple-double (22 pts, 14 assists, 13 rebounds) of the season, the 175th of his career now six units from the Oscar Robertson’s historic record.
In Miami, the Heat was surprised by Chicago (110-102), despite Jimmy Butler (33 pts, 8 rebounds). The Bulls, domineering inside with the duo Nikola Vucevic / Daniel Theis (47 pts, 23 rebounds together) finished stronger. Miami slips to 7th place in the East. Chicago remains 11th, tied with Toronto, winner of Cleveland (112-96) and the two get closer to Washington.
The results of the night:
Miami – Chicago 102 – 110
New York – Phoenix 110 – 118
Toronto – Cleveland 112 – 96
Sacramento – Dallas 113 – 106
Denver – Memphis 120 – 96
Minnesota – Utah 105 – 104
New Orleans – LA Clippers 120 – 103
Detroit – Atlanta 100 – 86
Orlando – LA Lakers 103 – 114
Philadelphia – Oklahoma City 121 – 90
Washington – San antonio 143 – 146 (a. p.)
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