Mathieu WARNIER, Media365, published on Sunday December 26, 2021 at 8:06 am
While Giannis Antetokounmpo did not miss his return with Milwaukee, Brooklyn did not crack in the face of the Los Angeles Lakers charge late in the game. In the shock of the leaders in the West, Golden State took the better of Phoenix and seized the first place.
The Warriors have given themselves a nice Christmas present! In the poster for this special day, Stephen Curry’s teammates (33 points, 6 assists) got the better of the Phoenix Suns and took advantage of this direct confrontation to grab first place in the Western Conference standings. A meeting which was played out in three stages but the outcome of which was not obvious. Without players like Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala or Andrew Wiggins, the Californians started strong, leading the race for the entire first quarter. However, the first switch-over took place in the middle of the second. Led by Chris Paul (21 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists), the Suns signed a 16-3 to regain the lead then switch with four lengths ahead at the break. The third quarter saw the two teams surrender blow for blow then, almost logically, approach the last twelve minutes of this shock at the top tied on the scoreboard. It was then that Otto Porter Jr (19 points, 6 rebounds) came out of his box to allow the Golden State Warriors to take the lead very quickly before finishing the match very strong to go for a victory of nine points ( 107-116). Thanks to this second victory of the month over the Arizona players, Steve Kerr’s proteges take the lead in the West with one more success.
Successful return for Antetokounmpo, the Nets held out
This Christmas day was also an opportunity for Giannis Antetokounmpo to make his comeback. Removed from the field because of the health protocol since December 14, the “Greek Freak” was an essential element of the Bucks during their success snatched on the floor of the Celtics. Because, for 47 minutes and 30 seconds, it was the Boston players who led the race. Jaylen Brown (25 points) and Jayson Tatum (25 points, 9 rebounds) were the great architects of a long perfect match from the New England franchise. However, after watching his teammates for a while due to too many fouls, Giannis Antetokounmpo (36 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) donned the savior costume to bring his team closer before Wesley Matthews (9 points ) did the finishing blow with the three-point shot that saw the Bucks go ahead and then win by four points (117-113). A stunning scenario, the Nets almost suffered during their trip to the floor of the Los Angeles Lakers. Because it was the teammates of James Harden (36 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) and Patty Mills (34 points, 7 assists) who led the race for most of the match with a maximum lead of 23 points at the end of the game. ‘begins the fourth quarter. But the Lakers, leading the score at the start of the game and then at the start of the third quarter, put all their strength into the battle at the end of the match. Under the impetus of LeBron James (39 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists), the Californians came back to height with 45 seconds to play on a basket of Malik Monk (20 points). But, ending on a 7-0, the Nets win (115-122), inflicting the Lakers a fifth straight setback, and consolidate their leadership position in the East.
Fournier still at his ease, Gobert mate Ntilikina
French players have responded to this Christmas day on the NBA floors. But, if Evan Fournier was in sight (15 points, 5 rebounds), it was Kemba Walker (10 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) who was most visible in a meeting dominated from start to finish by new Yorkers. A thunderous start and a 19-3 in just over four minutes set the tone. If the Hawks, without Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot for this trip to “Big Apple”, who were able to rely on John Collins (20 points, 8 rebounds) and Delon Wright (20 points) to resist in the second quarter then At the start of the third, the Knicks were then a real steamroller to reach a maximum of 21 points in advance at the very beginning of the fourth quarter. Completely in control, the proteges of Tom Thibodeau continue to alternate victory and defeat but take advantage of their success of fourteen lengths (101-87) to reduce the gap on the Hawks, who keep the advantage thanks to one loss less. For a clash between the Tricolors, it is on the side of Salt Lake City that it was necessary to go. Indeed, the Jazz of Rudy Gobert (10 points, 11 rebounds) was opposed to the Mavericks of Frank Ntilikina (17 points). A diminished Dallas team, deprived in particular of Luka Doncic, nevertheless took the best start with a lead reaching sixteen units in the first quarter but the Utah players, led by Donovan Mitchell (33 points) reversed the trend. in the second then saw the Mavs of Kristaps Porzingis (27 points, 9 rebounds) and Jalen Brunson (26 points, 6 assists) regain control without totally making the difference. What the Jazz took advantage of in the last twelve minutes to escape and go for the victory of four small points (120-116), their third in a row to consolidate their place on the podium of the Western Conference.
BASKET – NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Saturday 25 December 2021
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks : 101-87
> Evan Fournier (NYK): 15 points at 6/12 on shots (including 3/6 at three points), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 interception and 2 loss of balls in 31 minutes
> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (ATL) did not play
Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics : 117-113
Phoenix Suns – Golden State Warriors : 107-116
Los Angeles Lakers – Brooklyn Nets : 115-122
Utah Jazz – Dallas Mavericks : 120-116
> Rudy Gobert (UTAH): 10 points at 4/6 on shots and 2/3 on free throws, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 ball losses and 3 fouls in 34 minutes
> Frank Ntilikina (DAL): 17 points at 5/12 on shots (including 2/5 on three points) and 5/5 on free throws, 4 rebounds, 1 pass, 2 steals, 1 loss of ball and 3 fouls in 35 minutes
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