Chicago (USA), 7 Jan. The Boston Celtics solidified their lead in the Eastern Conference this Saturday with a win over the San Antonio Spurs with 34 points by Jayson Tatum, on an NBA day in which Slovenian Luka Doncic made a new triple-double in the win for Dallas Mavericks and in which the Los Angeles Lakers continued their growth with a vibrant victory in Sacramento.
KINGS 134 – LAKERS 136
The Lakers sealed their fifth straight victory after beating the Kings with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists by LeBron James and 27 points by German Dennis Schroder, decisive with the two free from the win with two seconds left after a controversial foul called De’Aaron Fox.
The referees reviewed the play and confirmed the free kicks that gave the Lakers the victory, in which Russell Westbrook signed a double-double for 23 points and fifteen assists and Thomas Bryant contributed 29 points, with twelve shots of fourteen and fourteen rebounds.
The Kings surrendered despite 34 points from De’Aaron Fox, who had tied the game at 134-134 with terrific play and a jump shot. His performance ended with no prizes, as did Domantas Sabonis’ 16th consecutive double-double.
MAVERICKS 127 – PELICANS 117
Slovenian Luka Doncic made the 55th triple-double of his NBA career, contributing 34 points, ten rebounds and ten assists in the Dallas Mavericks’ comfortable victory over the New Orleans Pelicans who couldn’t count on Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram or CJ McCollum .
The Texans, who had ended a seven-game hitting streak with a home loss to the Boston Celtics, rebounded to fourth place in the Western Conference (23-17), one win behind the third-placed Pelicans (24-16).
Christian Wood had 28 points and six rebounds, while Hardaway Jr had 18 on a night when the Mavericks hit 57% shooting accuracy.
For the Pelicans, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas had 25 points and ten rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting, and Naji Marshall had 24. Spaniard Willy Hernangómez scored six points and grabbed ten rebounds in just over ten minutes on the court.
SPURS 116 – CELTIC 121
Jayson Tatum signed 34 points, with five 3-pointers, Jaylen Brown, with 29 points, and Malcom Brogdon, with 23 points and 5-of-6 from the arc, pitched the Celtics into the Spurs’ field.
Joe Mazzulla’s team contained a Spurs in which as many as eight players finished above ten points, led by Zach Collins’ double-double of 18 points and twelve rebounds.
The Celtics seal the leadership in the East (28-12) and add the second consecutive victory after the sensational victory obtained on the field of the Dallas Mavericks, again with Tatum protagonist.
BULLS 126 – JAZZ 118
The Bulls extend their sweet moment and, after interrupting the Brooklyn Nets’ twelve-game winning streak and triumphing in Philadelphia against the 76ers, beat the Jazz with 36 points by Zach LaVine and 35 by DeMar DeRozan.
Former Bulls Finn Lauri Markkanen contributed 28 points and signed some spectacular dunks, including a one-handed one in the third period that wowed the United Center.
The Bulls add up three consecutive victories and finish in ninth place in the East (19-21), in the ‘play-in’ positions. The Jazz are tenth in the West (20-22).
WARRIORS 101 – MAGIC 115
The Warriors suffered their second straight loss at home and against accessible opponents. After the Pistons, the Magic also conquered the Chase Center, led by the 25 points of the Italian Paolo Banchero, first choice in the last draft.
Steve Kerr’s team sank one night when Klay Thompson joined the already known victims of Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins.
The only good news for the Warriors was the good performance of Anthony Lamb, with 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists, the best of his career.
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. Classifications:
. Eastern Conference:
.1. Boston Celtics 28-12
.2. Brooklyn nets 26-13
.3. Milwaukee Bucks 25-14
.4. Cleveland Cavaliers 25-15
.5. Philadelphia 76ers 23-15
.6. New York Knicks 22-18
.7. Indiana Pacers 22-18
.8. Miami Heat 21-19
.9. Chicago Bulls 19-21
10. Atlanta Falcons 18-21
11. Wizards of Washington 17-23
12. Toronto Raptors 16-23
13. Orlando Magic 15-25
14. Charlotte Hornets 11-29
15.Detroit Pistons 11-31
. Western Conference:
.1. Denver Nuggets 26-13
.2. Memphis Grizzlies 25-13
.3. New Orleans Pelicans 24-16
.4. Dallas Mavericks 23-17
.5. Sacramento Kings 20-18
.6. LA Clippers 21-20
.7. Phoenix Suns 20-20
.8. Portland Trail Blazers 19-19
.9. Golden State Warriors 20-20
10.Utah Jazz 8pm-10pm
11Minnesota Timberwolves 19-21
12. Los Angeles Lakers 19-21
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 17-22
14.San Antonio Spurs 13-27
15. Houston Rockets 10-29
. EFE extension
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