Los Angeles (USA), Jan 24 (EFE).- The Phoenix Suns, the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers went through trouble this Monday to win their games against rivals in low hours (Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks ) or teams heavily affected by absences (Utah Jazz).
SUNS 115 – JAZZ 109
The Phoenix Suns added their seventh straight victory in a closely contested game against the Utah Jazz with a full sick bay and none of the players from their usual quintet (Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert).
Chris Paul was decisive in the fourth quarter with 15 points for a total of 27 points, 9 rebounds and 14 assists, while Devin Booker led the Suns at the start with 17 points in the first quarter and finished the game with 33 points and 7 rebounds.
In the Jazz, who despite giving a great image tonight have lost 8 of their last 10 games, Jordan Clarkson (22 points and 5 assists) was the best of seven players over 10 points.
CAVALIERS 95 – KNICKS 93
Julius Randle had a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game, but the ball didn’t go in and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat a New York Knicks who narrowly missed a comeback.
Kevin Love (20 points and 11 rebounds) was the leader of a Cavaliers on the rise that have won 8 of their last 10 games, while RJ Barrett (24 points and 5 rebounds) was the most outstanding of a Knicks that have not just taken off .
BULLS 111 – THUNDER 110
Zach LaVine (23 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists) returned after his knee injury for the Chicago Bulls who led the Oklahoma City Thunder by 28 points in the third quarter but ended up suffering a lot to win.
Nikola Vucevic (26 points and 15 rebounds) was the top scorer for the hosts while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points and 10 assists) was in charge of guiding the visitors.
PELICANS 117 – PACERS 113
In another highly contested and alternative game, the New Orleans Pelicans grabbed Devonte’ Graham (25 points and 6 assists), Josh Hart (22 points and 10 rebounds) and Jonas Valanciunas (16 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists) to beat the Indiana Pacers led by Duane Washington Jr. (21 points).
Dominican Chris Duarte played 27 minutes for the Pacers in which he had 14 points (4 of 11 shooting), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
In the Pelicans, José Alvarado, got 3 points (1 of 4 shooting), an assist and a steal in 12 minutes while the Spanish Willy Hernangómez was left without playing.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
1.- Miami Heat (30-17)
2.- Chicago Bulls (29-17)
3.- Brooklyn Nets (29-17)
4.- Milwaukee Bucks (30-19)
5.- Cleveland Cavaliers (29-19)
6.- Philadelphia 76ers (27-19)
7.- Charlotte Hornets (26-21)
8.- Boston Celtics (24-24)
9.- Toronto Raptors (22-22)
10.- Washington Wizards (23-24)
11.- New York Knicks (23-25)
12.- Atlanta Hawks (21-25)
13.- Indiana Pacers (17-31)
14.- Detroit Pistons (11-35)
15.- Orlando Magic (9-39)
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
1.- Phoenix Suns (37-9)
2.- Golden State Warriors (34-13)
3.- Memphis Grizzlies (32-17)
4.- Utah Jazz (30-18)
5.- Dallas Mavericks (27-20)
6.- Denver Nuggets (24-21)
7.- Minnesota Timberwolves (23-23)
8.- Los Angeles Lakers (23-24)
9.- Los Angeles Clippers (23-25)
10.- Portland Trail Blazers (20-26)
11.- Sacramento Kings (18-29)
12.- New Orleans Pelicans (18-28)
13.- San Antonio Spurs (17-30)
14.- Houston Rockets (14-33)
15.- Oklahoma City Thunder (14-33)
NEXT DAY (Tuesday, January 25)
Philadelphia 76ers – New Orleans Pelicans
Detroit Pistons – Denver Nuggets
Toronto Raptors – Charlotte Hornets
Washington Wizards – Los Angeles Clippers
Boston Celtics – Sacramento Kings
Brooklyn Nets – Los Angeles Lakers
Houston Rockets – San Antonio Spurs
Golden State Warriors – Dallas Mavericks
Portland Trail Blazers – Minnesota Timberwolves.
(c) EFE Agency
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