Phoenix pique les Hornets
Affected by the Covid, decimated in the interior sector, Phoenix had lived a difficult end of the year 2021, marked by three defeats in four games, all against teams which serve as a benchmark this season (Golden State, Memphis and Boston) . The few days of rest obtained by the franchise of Arizona allowed to recharge their batteries, and to approach the recovery in Charlotte with a new offensive efficiency.
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The Hornets, who nevertheless remained on three successes in a row, did not really resist on their floor, and were 16 points behind at the break (47-63, 24th). The gap only grew in the recovery, which also allowed the visitors to rest their stars, the back Devin Booker (24 points, 7 rebounds) in the lead (29 minutes). This success allows the Suns to come back in the wake of the Warriors, leaders of the regular season who have only one loss less (28v-7d, against 28v-8d). Despite this stoppage, Charlotte remains in the positive (19v-18d), in 7th place in the East.
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Dominated on the rebound, the Lakers come out anyway
The statistics are frightening: in 48 minutes of play, at home moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers have left twice as many rebounds their opponents, the Minnesota Timberwolves, than they took (28-56). Despite 20 offensive catches and therefore a surprising domination under the baskets, the visitors failed to win (108-103) against a team of thirty, well helped by the 22 points of Malik Monk.
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LeBron James (26 points, 7 rebounds) and Russell Westbrook (20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists) were invaluable, as was Carmelo Anthony, author of 14 points off the bench and efficient in the last quarter. Thanks to this second success in a row, the Lakers returned to a balanced record (19v-19d, 7th in the West), with the satisfaction of having the impression of playing better lately. Minnesota is ninth (16v-20d) and remains on three losses.
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End of series for Miami, Indiana remains in the hard
First defeat in six matches for the Miami Heat, who ended the year 2021 with a bang, and started 2022 on the same basis (120-110 in Houston). Sunday, the Sacramento Kings of Buddy Hield (26 points off the bench) did a little better, especially in terms of marksmanship (51.3% against 43.8%), to win by two points ( 115-113). With the exception of their starting five, decimated and led by Tyler Herro (22 points) and Omer Yurtseven (22 points), the Floridians struggled to find relays (19 points).
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In Cleveland, the big game of Domantas Sabonis (32 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) and the 19 three-point baskets slammed by the Indiana Pacers were not enough for the visitors to win (108-104 for the Cavs) . For the premises, the interiors did most of the work: 18 points and 11 rebounds for Jarrett Allen, 24 points and 9 rebounds for Evan Mobley, and finally 20 points and 8 rebounds for Kevin Love off the bench. Always so surprising this season (21v-16d, 5th in the East), the Cavaliers thus returned to victory after three defeats. For Indiana, the fall is painful to live: 4 consecutive losses (5 in 6 matches) and a record (14v-23d) which earned it a disappointing 13th place in the East. Trading rumors surrounding the major players in the franchise aren’t going to fade anytime soon.
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