Thanks to a gala from Zion Williamson and an outstanding second half, the New Orleans Pelicans shot Phoenix out of the hall. Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo are convincing for their teams, and a strong fourth quarter from De’Aaron Fox ensures the Sacramento Kings success in a thriller against the Boston Celtics.
Philadelphia appears very dominant in Charlotte thanks to Joel Embiid, but in the end the mundane comes into play. Giannis Antetokounmpo booked a loose triple-double in the top game.
Charlotte Hornets (10-12) – Philadelphia 76ers (16-6) 111:118
- In the end, the Sixers let it slide tremendously, so that Charlotte was dangerous again, but in the end the guests still had their 14th success in a row against the Hornets. Joel Embiid was again unstoppable and finished the game with 34 points (11/18 FG) and 11 rebounds.
- The Cameroonian was also symbolic of the laissez-faire attitude at the end when he wanted to run down the clock and LaMelo Ball punished this with a steal and a threesome.
- The lead was still 5 points with 8 seconds to go and Tobias Harris (26, 8/15 FG) and Embiid brought the game home from the free throw line. In the third quarter the lead was still 26 points, but as already mentioned, the guests took it easy afterwards.
- Ben Simmons put on 15 points and 9 assists, Shake Milton contributed 13 points from the bench. For Charlotte, Ball, who started and played 38 minutes, and Gordon Hayward were the best scorers with 22 points each. Miles Bridges had 16 points and 8 rebounds, but had to fight foul problems as a replacement for the injured PJ Washington.
Milwaukee Bucks (13-8) – Indiana Pacers (12-10) 130:110
- Bad slide for the Pacers who didn’t stand a chance in a back-to-back. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a classic blowout and with a loose triple-double (21 points, 7/8 FG, 7/8 FT), 14 rebounds and 10 assists was able to devote himself to photography in the fourth quarter.
- The hosts made short work of Indiana, led the entire season and already had a lead of 17 points at the break. After the change, the final decision was made when the Bucks finished the third quarter with a 30:11 run. In the final section the difference was up to 40 points, then Indiana was able to do some cosmetic results.
- Milwaukee shot out the lights from a distance and sank 21 of 48 threesomes, Donte DiVincenzo (16), Bobby Portis (18) and Bryn Forbes (20) each hit four. Khris Middleton (12) and Jrue Holiday (11, 7 rebounds) could take it easy.
- For the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis put on a new career high with 33 points (14/25 FG) (plus 12 rebounds and 6 assists), but the rest of the starters couldn’t convince. Malcolm Brogdon (12, 5/17 FG) had big problems against his ex-team, Myles Turner (3, 1/3 FG, 2 rebounds) was not a factor at all, both offensively and defensively.
Here are the highlights of the game between the Bucks and Pacers.
Atlanta Hawks (10-11) – Dallas Mavericks (9-13) 116:122
Click here for the detailed match report!
Cleveland Cavaliers (10-12) – L.A. Clippers (17-6) 99:121
- After the narrow defeat in Brooklyn, the Clippers had to do a rather ungrateful task against the young and vicious Cavs, but they did so very successfully. Paul George, who the day before had been angry about the referees’ lack of respect (he only got 1 free throw), only went to the line three times, but sank eight of his nine threes for a total of 36 points.
- It also worked as a team, the Clippers remain the most dangerous team from a distance thanks to a rate of 58 percent, a whopping 20 attempts (out of 34) went through the trap over 48 minutes. Cleveland also hit 40 percent, but only took ten attempts. In the first half, the hosts had only pointed three times from downtown.
- And yet the Cavs kept up well for a long time. The backcourt duo consisting of Darius Garland (23, 11/18) and Collin Sexton (27, 11/21, 5 assists) was able to claim this, but otherwise only the weak Andre Drummond (13, 4/13) scored , 5 rebounds) double digits. Although the Cavs scored 58 points in the zone, they also needed 65 throws.
- The decision in favor of LA was only made in the fourth quarter, when George and Lou Williams (15) sank four threes in a row in a 12-0 run. Kawhi Leonard posted 24 points (9/14), Ivica Zubac (10, 16 rebounds) put on a double-double coming from the bench.
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