Here are the Sixers. Four wins in a row and 6-1. The best team in the Eastern Conference. And the only one in the entire NBA who hasn’t lost two games yet. One for now safe from the ups and downs that almost everyone else is suffering: double duel with the Hornets and +32 total against a mediocre opponent and who has become used to martyrdom. They are already thirteen victories in a row without any defeat since November 2016 against those of Carolina, totally surpassed this time (118-101) from the second quarter, as soon as the Sixers put the batteries in attack.
These aren’t the messy, ragged Sixers from previous seasons. Where it did not seem to go Brett Brown could be approaching (we will see: it is soon) Doc Rivers, who has fallen to his feet in a franchise that needed new leadership and in which Daryl Morey has brought coherence since he arrived at the offices: Danny Green ( 13 points) and Seth Curry (11) are (5 triples between the two) perfect complements in a quintet with more spaces and more possibilities in attack, in which Ben Simmons (this time 12 + 10 + 6) only has to worry about what it does know how to do (and wonderfully) and in which Tobias Harris is at his best since arriving in Philadelphia. Four straight games of at least 20 points (22 this time), with all the offensive arsenal (suspensions, pick and roll …) of his best moments in the Clippers. Your coach then, nothing happens by chance, era Doc Rivers.
Separate chapter deserves a gigantic Joel Embiid. In perfect physical shape and on a monstrous defensive level. This time he had 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 25 minutes but ruled the game from behind against terrified and terribly inferior Hornets in which Hayward had 18 points, Rozier only 12 and LaMelo Ball had 7 rebounds and 9 assists … with a 5/16 shooting (12 points).
ORLANDO MAGIC 103-CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 83
And if the Sixers are the best team in the East, The Magic remain second (5-2) thanks to their comfortable win against the Cavaliers which are a succession of misfortunes in their meritorious start to the season. Without Kevin Love and Isaac Okoro, two starters, they did not have Darius Garland this time due to shoulder problems and his replacement, Dante Exum, was injured at 47 seconds. Collin Sexton scored 24 points and Cedi Osman played well (18 + 7 + 7) for some Cavs who held out in the first half (51-49) and then sank: 38-18 in the third quarter.
In that third period the Magic made 6 triples. An excess for the team that averaged the least (9) per night in the NBA, and that finished with 15. Aaron Gordon added 6 in a great game (24 points, 11 rebounds) alongside Nikola Vucevic (23 + 8). Enough against a severely depleted opponent to regain the smile in Orlando after two losses in a row.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 116-INDIANA PACERS 118
And third in the East are the Pacers, a team that is at an excellent level with newcomer Nate Bjorkgren on the bench and that he added his fifth victory (5-2) after steal his wallet to some Pelicans (4-3) who are returning to add defeats that, like last season, they can remember later, when it is too late. Without sense. Those of Stan Van Gundy had the party controlled: 106-96 with two and a half minutes to go. But they did not score more and conceded a 0-10 that took the duel to extra time with an incredible ending: from 106-100 to 106-106 in 20 seconds with a triple by Victor Oladipo, stealing from the guard by Lonzo Ball and a triple by Myles Turner. In overtime, the Pacers were without Turner as they had previously been without Domantas Sabonis on personal fouls. But they won the victory thanks to a basket final de Malcolm Brogdon.
The Pelicans finished very badly, with Van Gundy making strange decisions and the attack reduced to individual actions by Brandon Ingram, who added 31 points… but with 31 shots (12/31). Zion Williamson went to 24 points and 10 rebounds with a 9/19 and, again, actions that left much to be desired in defense. Still, the Pelicans should have won, but lost. He could have the faith of the Pacers, a brilliant and collective team that is without a reliable scorer as TJ Warren, injured. But who is recovering the best version of Oladipo (25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 5/11 in triples), which forms an excellent backcourt in attack and defense with Malcolm Brogdon (21 + 7 + 11). In addition, Turner added 17 points and 3 blocks and Sabonis, until he made the sixth fault, 19 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. The Pacers are a very, very good team.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS 125-DETROIT PISTONS 115
In a duel without much history, the Bucks were for the first time (4-3) above 50% of victories. It has cost them. Giannis Antetokounmpo struck down some Pistons below lows, in back to back tras close to victory against the Celtics and already 1-6, this time without the injured Josh Jackson and without Blake Griffin, who rested. Little option before an Antetokounmpo that added 30 points at halftime and finished with 43, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, seconded by Middleton (19 + 9 + 4) and Jrue Holiday (15 + 6 + 7). Derrick Rose and Grant each scored 24 points for the Pistons, who at least received signs of life from Sekou Doumbouya (13 points), the 15th in the 2019 draft.
MIAMI HEAT 118-OKC THUNDER 90
Like the Bucks, the Heat also benefited from the visit of a weak rival, a Thunder who do what they can with players who it is not very clear what they do there (Al Horford, George Hill …) and the young lot formed by Gilgeous-Alexander (18 points), Bazley (16 and 8 rebounds), Dort (12) … With the sixth quintet in six games (now 3-3 always alternating defeats and victories), the Heat swept (65-40 total) between the second quarter and a third in which they signed a partial 20-0. In that section Olynyk scored 11 points with three triples. He finished with 19 and 8 rebounds after starting as a starter. Jimmy Butler added 18 points and 6 assists and Bam Adebayo, 28 + 8 + 4 for a Heat that is still far from the perfectly oiled block that they were in the Florida bubble.
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