“Defense is important to me. That’s what I think about and that’s where my head is when I’m in the game ”. So reasons Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, holder on the night of Monday to Tuesday during the victory of Atlanta at Minnesota (121-110). Confined to ends of matches since the start of the season, the French defended well, as usual, but the rear or winger did not do just that.
– –
With several absences in the Hawks’ starting five, “TLC” was able to seize his chance on both sides of the field. Luwawu-Cabarrot thus signed 23 points, to 7 of 14 with three points. He also added 2 rebounds and 2 assists to his stat line, plus a nibble ball. All in 37 minutes of play! The kind of perf that will leave him on the floor now?
– –
Trae Young has in any case validated the Frenchman’s match: “He played very well tonight, appreciated the American leader. The way he played on both sides of the pitch, defending on Anthony (Edwards), stunning with three points in attack. He just played and it was good to see. We needed it all tonight. “
– –
Nicolas Batum still absent, the other French people scoop up minutes
As TLC finally plays with Atlanta, Nicolas batum is still absent. But the player of the Clippers, victorious in Portland (102-90, with 21 points from Paul George, 5 players with 13 points minimum), dismissed because of Covid, is close to a return. The Los Angeles winger, initially out for ten days, hasn’t appeared since November 21. An absence a little longer than expected, which should end soon.
– –
In the rest of the NBA matches of the night involving the French, they had to be satisfied with ends of matches. Alone Killian Hayes started in Detroit’s home loss to Oklahoma City (103-114). The leader, who played 27 minutes, was not unworthy (9 points to 3/9, 5 assists, 2 rebounds), but ended up cracking like all the Pistons, overwhelmed in the last period (22-42). Detroit continues with a 9th straight loss.
– –
Next to the titular Habs, the Memphis duo Killian Tillie–Yves Pons played 1 minute, and 16 seconds, very precisely. Not even time to score or take a rebound. Still, the Grizzlies beat Miami (105-90), confirming their current good form (4th place in the West, 5th victory in a row).
– –
At last, Petr Cornelie played exactly the same time as his two compatriots, with Denver. The winger had time to rebound, during the defeat of the Nuggets in Chicago (109-97).
– – .
