Game of the night: the Hawks collective responded to Curry
When Stephen Curry (37 points, 5 rebounds is in a big night, the opponent must be able to count on a team at the rendezvous. And, in a game long undecided, the Atlanta Hawks were able to rely on Clint Capela (24 points, 18 rebounds), Danilo Gallinari (25 points, 10 rebounds) or Lou Williams (15 points) to hold the bar. While both teams had their strong times and their weak times during the first quarter, this are the Hawks who dominated the proceedings during the twelve minutes leading to half-time, with up to eight points in advance but the Warriors did not give up and, finishing strong this second quarter, went away. given to Draymond Green (11 points, 11 assists) on the buzzer to tackle the lead on the scoreboard.However, on the return to the floor, the two teams did not let go, Golden State never taking more than six lengths of ‘lead, entering the final twelve minutes with a three-point lead thanks to an award-winning shot from Ste phen Curry two seconds from the buzzer. The end of the match was electric because neither team wanted to give up hope of winning. But, more effective in attack, the Hawks ended up having the last word (117-111), signing a third success in a row so as not to lose ground on Milwaukee or Miami.
The MVP of the night: Lonzo Ball, Pelicans guide
After a little more than two weeks of absence for a hip injury, Lonzo Ball did not miss his return to the courts. Top scorer of his team (27 points) and author of a personal best three points (at 8/15), the leader of the Pelicans was an important cog in his training on the occasion of the success on the floor of a team in bad shape, the Houston Rockets. If Kelly Olynyk’s teammates (26 points, 8 rebounds) started the match well, taking five lengths early on, the Pelicans then put their mark with a 15-3 which put them back in the direction of the market. before exceeding the ten point lead. A control of events that continued until half-time, reached with a margin of eleven lengths but the revolt was brewing on the side of the Rockets, who did not want to suffer a fourth loss in a row without fighting against a team of New Orleans which had a bad weather. After signing a 9-0 to get back to a length, it was at the very end of the quarter, thanks to a 9-0 that the Rockets were able to start the last twelve minutes with three lengths in advance. An advantage that did not however hold up against the strike force of the Pelicans who took control not to let go and win by seven points (115-122), ending two losses in a row to still believe one place in the play-offs. For the Rockets, the Stations of the Cross continue.
The flop of the night: Without Embiid, the 76ers did not shine
If the Brooklyn Nets started this NBA night by the end of their streak of four straight wins due to a loss in Chicago (115-107), the leader of the Eastern Conference was no more at the party . On the occasion of the reception of the Memphis Grizzlies, the players of Philly fell back in their way, them who remained on two victories in a row after having conceded two losses at the end of March. Without Joel Embiid, left voluntarily to rest after his return to competition this Saturday, the Sixers have bowed heavily and logically. If teammates Tobias Harris (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Dwight Howard (9 points, 12 rebounds) deluded during the first five minutes, the Grizzlies then took advantage of a diminished opponent to take the hand and never lose the advantage on the scoreboard. If the Sixers stuck in the second quarter, coming back to five points after being led by thirteen, it is on the return from halftime that the teammates of Dillion Brooks (17 points, 5 rebounds), Jonas Valanciunas (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Ja Morant (8 points, 10 assists) put a boost to exceed the 20 points ahead, even counting 28 shortly before the conclusion of the third quarter. Pride, the Sixers finished very strong but the march was too high for, in the end, a third defeat in five games (100-116) and a record still similar to that of Nets (34 wins for 16 losses). The teammates of a Killian Tillie who made an appearance during this meeting win for the third time in their last four games and remain in the race for the play-offs.
Frenchman of the Night: Evan Fournier
If his first with the Celtics had not remained in the annals, Evan Fournier has perfectly corrected the shot. Entered into play during the match, for a little less than 22 minutes on the floor, the former Magic player did not disappoint with 17 points, including a 4/5 at long distance. Faced with the Hornets, who took the lead during most of the first quarter, thanks in particular to Terry Rozier (22 points, 7 rebounds), the Celtics were a little in “diesel mode”, clearly accelerating the pace in a second one-way quarter. With Jayson Tatum (22 points, 8 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (17 points, 6 rebounds) in addition to Evan Fournier, the New England franchise unfolded its game, leading fifteen lengths at halftime, closing in then from the 30 point bar after returning from the locker room. However, faced with the resistance of a voluntary but exceeded Hornets team, this bar was not reached until the very end of the game. A meeting that even ended on this gap thanks to two last shots from Tacko Fall (3 points) and Tremont Waters (2 points) in an end to the match studded with bad choices and missed shots. The Celtics thus sign a second success in a row (116-86) and come back in contact with the Hornets for sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the latter having only one loss less on the clock.
BASKET – NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Sunday April 4, 2021
Chicago Bulls – Brooklyn Nets : 115-107
> Adam Mokoka (CHI) did not play
> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (BKN): 3 points at 1/3 on shots (including 1/3 at three points), 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 fouls in 14 minutes
Los Angeles Clippers – Los Angeles Lakers: 104-86
> Nicolas Batum (LAC): 4 1/2 points on shots (including 1/2 on three points) and 1/2 on free throws, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 interception, 1 against and 1 foul in 18 minutes
Boston Celtics – Charlotte Hornets : 116-86
> Evan Fournier (BOS): 17 points at 5/9 on shots (including 4/5 on three points) and 3/3 on free throws, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 against, 1 loss of ball and 2 fouls in 22 minutes
Philadelphia 76ers – Memphis Grizzlies : 100-116
> Killian Tillie (MEM): 1 foul in 1 minute
Atlanta Hawks – Golden State Warriors : 117-111
Houston Rockets – New Orleans Pelicans : 115-122
Denver Nuggets – Orlando Magic : 119-109
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