Nine games were on the night’s schedule in the NBA, and they notably saw Utah inflict a seventh straight loss on Brooklyn, Dallas beat Philadelphia thanks to a great Luka Doncic and Denver lost at home against New Orleans despite an excellent Nikola Jokic .
The poster of the night: Utah – Brooklyn
These are two teams in poor form that clashed Friday in Utah. The Jazz, deprived of Rudy Gobert and which remained on seven defeats in nine games but which could count on the return of Donovan Mitchell, received Brooklyn, which had just lost its last six games and which was deprived of Kevin Durant and James Harden, but no Kyrie Irving. And in the end, it was the Salt Lake City franchise that won 125-102. The Jazz led this game from start to finish and even had a 34-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Mitchell did not miss his comeback, scoring 27 points and delivering 6 assists, while Bojan Bogdanovic ensured 19 points and 11 rebounds and Hassan Whiteside 15 points and 8 rebounds. Opposite, Cam Thomas scored 30 points and Kyrie Irving 15 (plus 6 assists), but the Nets did not exist. They have now lost their last seven games and sit sixth in the East before heading to Denver on Sunday. The Jazz are fourth in the West, and will host New York on Sunday. Rudy Gobert is very close to a return, the franchise has reported.
The MVP of the night: Luka Doncic
Just behind Utah, we find Dallas, which signed a big performance by beating Philadelphia 107-98. The Mavericks, trailing for much of the game (which was interrupted for 44 minutes in the first half due to a basket problem), made the difference in the last five minutes, including an 8-0 (98-91) which allowed them to soar in money-time. The Texans were able to count on a huge Luka Doncic, author of 33 points (13 of 28 on shots including 1/6 to 3pts), 13 rebounds and 15 assists. A 44th career triple-double in the regular season, which allows him to enter the Top 10 in NBA history (Russell Westbrook being of course in the lead, with 193)! And he will only celebrate his 23rd birthday at the end of the month…
The flop of the night: Denver
Sixth in the Western Conference, Denver fell from above by losing at home against New Orleans, eleventh (105-113). In a very tight game, where the biggest gap was at the end of the game (+8) and where there were 18 changes of leaders, the Pelicans finished strong, with in particular six points from Herbert Jones (25pts in total, including 18 in the last quarter) in 67 seconds. Brandon Ingram meanwhile scored 23 points and delivered 12 assists and Jaxson Hayes scored 22 points (9/9 on shots) and took 11 rebounds. Nuggets side, Nikola Jokic has yet delivered a big game, with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists, but that was not enough.
The French of the night: Killian Hayes
Only three French players played tonight, and Killian Hayes was the best of them. Although his Detroit team suffered its 40th defeat in 52 games this season, at home against Boston (93-102), the 20-year-old point guard was invaluable, with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in 24 minutes. It is only the eighth time this season that the former Choletais has exceeded the 10-point mark. To be confirmed in Minnesota on Sunday!
REGULAR SEASON
Friday, February 4, 2022
Detroit Pistons – Boston Celtics : 93-102
>>> Stats of Killian Hayes (DET): 24 minutes of play, 11 points (5/11 on shots including 1/4 at 3pts), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 lost ball, 5 fouls
Toronto Raptors – Atlanta Hawks : 125-114
>>> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (ATL) did not play, by decision of the coach
Utah Jazz – Brooklyn Nets : 125-102
>>> Rudy Gobert (UTA), calf injury, did not play
Dallas Mavericks – Philadelphia 76ers : 107-98
>>> Stats of Frank Ntilikina (DAL): 11 minutes of play, 4 points (1/3 on shots including 1/3 to 3pts), 1 rebound
Portland Trail Blazers – Oklahoma City Thunder : 93-96
>>> Stats of Théo Maledon (OKC): 15 minutes of play, 0 point (0/2 on shots including 0/1 at 3pts), 1 rebound, 2 assists, 5 lost balls, 1 foul
Charlotte Hornets – Cleveland Cavaliers : 101-102
Indiana Pacers – Chicago Bulls : 115-122
San Antonio Spurs – Houston Rockets : 131-106
Denver Nuggets – New Orleans Pelicans : 105-113
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