A series of intriguing games were held tonight in the NBA. In the spotlight, the Boston Celtics continue to prove that they are the best team in the league when they mercilessly defeated Brooklyn 96:139. In addition, the champion, the Golden State Warriors, surrendered at the end of a close fight and after overtime to the Minnesota Timberwolves 119:114.
Brooklyn Nets (20:31) – Boston Celtics (15:37) 139:96
Just not strength. The Celtics, who look wonderful this season, simply crushed Kyrie Irving (20 points) and his team from the start and closed the matter in the first quarter that ended with a 30-point difference for the green-whites, 16:46. From there until the end we got one big Garbage Time and Jayson Tatum recorded another day at the office with 31 points and nine rebounds on the way to the 37th victory of the Eastern Conference leader.
Minnesota Timberwolves (26:28) – Golden State Warriors (25:26) 114:119
Minnesota continues its great period and is already with a seventh victory in the last nine games, which places it in seventh place in the Western standings, as it overtakes the opponent it defeated. This time, the Timberwolves enjoyed a fantastic night from D’Angelo Russell who scored 29 points, while Anthony Edwards added 27 in a game that was close throughout and was decided only in overtime, in which the Timberwolves won 4:9. Steph Kerry’s 29 points, on the other hand, were not enough for the champion.
Portland (26:25) – Memphis Grizzlies (19:32) 112:122
Portland has been looking great lately and has now recorded a fourth win in the last five games, and more on the strong rival from the second place in the Western standings. Memphis, on the other hand, continues its downward trend with a sixth loss in the last seven games. Damian Lillard starred for Portland with 42 points, while on the other hand, Jay Morant scored 32 points for the loser.
Orlando Magic (32:20) – Philadelphia Sixers (17:33) 105:94
After losing to her just two days earlier, Joel Embiid’s 28 points, on a 10-of-10 night from the line, plus a dominant final quarter gave the Sixers an easy win against one of the weakest teams in the league this season. Philly is in third place in the Eastern standings, Orlando is in 13th place and very far from the place that leads to the playoffs.
Oklahoma Thunders (27:24) – Houston Rockets (38:13) 112:106
Shea Gilges Alexander’s night of 25 points and 8 rebounds was not enough for Oklahoma against Eric Gordon who scored 25 for the team that achieved its 13th overall victory of the season, after showing almost total dominance throughout the stages of the game again.
Sacramento Kings (21:29) – San Antonio Spurs (14:38) 109:119
not powers. The Spurs, who have won only 14 times this season and are in second-to-last place in the Western standings, managed to stay close but succumbed to a wonderful evening by Domantas Sabonis who recorded a double-double of 34 points and 11 rebounds.
Toronto Raptors (23:30) – Utah Jazz (27:26) 131:128
Second loss in a row for the Canadians, who are moving away from the place that leads to the ‘play-in’ games. Utah enjoyed a wonderful evening from Finnish Lauri Markkanen who scored 28 points and led the Jazz to their third win in the last four games, as they are in eighth place in the Western Conference.
Atlanta Hawks (26:26) – Phoenix Suns (27:26) 100:132
A performance by the Hawks, who erased the negative balance. No less than five players scored in double figures for the winning team, with DeJonta Murray standing out above all of them with 21 points.