NBA teams continue to maneuver in the reality of corona isolation, but slowly a high percentage of players have already left the virus behind and tonight (Wednesday to Thursday) we got some decent views of those who have recently spent time at home and returned to the floor. One of those players is Ja Morant, who led Memphis to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Damar Drusen also stood out in Chicago’s win over Atlanta, and Lamelo Ball led Charlotte against Indiana. Summary of the night games in front of you.
Memphis (14:22) – Lakers (19:17) 99: 104: Only three Grizzlies players have scored in double digits, but who needs more when Ja Morant finishes with 41 points? The Memphis star provided a tremendous display with 6 threes from 7 attempts, also added 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks and led his team to victory as he restored his ability from the start of the season, before injuring his knee and the period he was in isolation while recovering. Beside him stood out one of the most talked about players of the season, Desmond Bain, with 20, Jaren Jackson added 15 and a total of four opening five players together scored 49 points, just 8 more than Morant alone.
With the Lakers without Anthony Davis, it was again Baron James who excelled with 37 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals, scoring 8 threes from 14 attempts (equaling a career record). Russell Westbrook added a triple-double of 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds and even at Los Angeles only three players scored in double digits. Third was Malik Monk who finished with 15. Carmelo Anthony closed out a shocking evening with 5 (2 of 11 from the field) in 30 minutes on the floor.
Chicago (10:22) – Atlanta (19:15) 117: 131: For the second time in the last three nights the Bulls have defeated the Hawks. Chicago’s winning streak has risen to five and this is its highest streak this season. The Hawks play without 15 players as a result of corona isolation policies and various injuries, and unsurprisingly have lost for the fifth time in the last six games. Although Trey Young scored 26 and gave up 11 assists and Clint Capella also played and finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, Atlanta does not have too high expectations for a series of five more away games.
The Bulls scored 61.9% from the field and handed out a season-high 38 assists. Zack Lavine finished with 25 points, Damar Drusen added 20, Nikola Wojciech scored 16 and dropped 20 rebounds (personal season record) and Kobe White had an excellent game with 17 points and 12 assists. As part of the show, Lavin even finished a 360-degree dunk within the final quarter. There was also a surprising performance on the part of guard substitute Io Dawsonmo who finished with 14 points thanks to 6 of 7 from the field, and Gavonta Green also scored 14.
Indiana (21:14) – Charlotte (17:19) 116: 108: Terry Roger scored a season-high 35 points, Lamello Bull added 21 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists and the Hornets came out with a win from Indiana. Bull was one assist away from his third triple-double this season and fourth overall in his career. Roger had 13 successful shots from the field from 25 attempts, which included 5 of 9 off-arc content. The two led the visitors to the first half of 71 points, with Chris Lavert with 27 points and Domentes Savonis with his 25th double-double of the season (15 points and 18 rebounds) were the ones who tried to keep the hosts in the game.
However, it ended in a fifth loss in the last seven games and it was the second time in a row that the team loses after falling behind in double digits. Charlotte did not lag behind at any point in the game after catching a quick lead with 3:15 in the first quarter. Indiana still shrank to 71:57 and later in the third quarter the difference had already dropped to only 5 points (87:82), but at no point did the game become one-pass. Gordon Hayward finished with 18 points in his hometown, Jaylen McDaniels added 12 and the Hornets came off the floor with 58.1% accuracy from the field. Their balance this season when they score at least 50% from the field stands at 0:10.
Phoenix (7:27) – Oklahoma (22:12) 97: 115: The Suns have compared their balance sheet to that of Golden State as the two best teams in the NBA this season. Devin Booker led the team with 38 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Jabal Maggie added 16 and so did Cameron Payne. Chris Paul was stopped on just 10 points and Mikael Bridges on 5, but that did not stop Phoenix from recording its 16th home win of the season. Ty Jerome led the impromptu staff of the visitors with 24 points, Arun Wiggins added 22.
Boston (19:16) – Clippers (17:18) 91:82: Eric Baldesso scored 10 of his 17 points in the final quarter, threaded a three-pointer in those minutes and led Los Angeles’ second team to a positive balance after a win over the Celtics away. Marcus Morris added 23 points and 10 rebounds, Terence Mann and Luke Kenard scored 17 each, thus closing out a season-long sweep over Boston. Both teams came in with very lacking rosters with injuries and Corona.
Jaylen Brown led the hosts with 30, Robert Williams added 16 and 14 rebounds and Al Horford settled for 9 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Paul George is absent for a third straight game due to a tear in his elbow ligaments and could be out for another month. Boston played without Jason Taitum entering the Cubid 19 protocol, while Marcus Smart did not play due to a hand injury.
New York Niks (18:17) defeated Detroit 85:94 (28: 5) with 34 points from Alec Brex’s bench in 27 minutes on the floor.
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