Five games were played tonight (between Saturday and Sunday) in the best league in the world, centered on Dallas’ victory over New Orleans.
Tonight’s games in the NBA:
San Antonio (27:13) – Boston (12:28) 121:116
Chicago (21:19) – Utah (22:20) 118:126
Dallas (17:23) – New Orleans (16:24) 117:127
Golden State (20:20) – Orlando (25:15) 115:101
Sacramento (18:20) – L.A. Lakers (21:19) 136:134
Sacramento (18:20) – L.A. Lakers (21:19) 136:134
Quietly, and without Anthony Davis, the team is beating the Angels with a fifth win in a row – the longest streak in the NBA, along with Memphis. This time the game was more or less close from start to finish, and while LeBron James raised his team to 113:122, seven minutes to the end, the Kings came back and became 130:132, one minute to the buzzer. LeBron answered with three consecutive points, Russell Westbrook missed from the line, and Darron Fox equalized with a big basket to make it 134:134, with six seconds on the clock. Dennis Schroeder penetrated the basket, drew a foul from Fox, scored twice from the line, and the last desperate attempt by the Kings was missed by Fox. LeBron led with 37 points and received great help from Thomas Bryant (19 points and 14 rebounds), Schroeder (27) and Westbrook (23 and 15 assists). Fox scored 34 for the Kings, who recorded their third loss in the last four games, Domtanas Sabonis added 25 and 12 rebounds.
San Antonio (27:13) – Boston (12:28) 121:116
The team with the best balance in the NBA struggled against one of the weakest in the league, but in the end it was Jayson Tatum who closed the deal, as usual, after hearing MVP calls in Texas. The Celtics star finished with 34 points and received his main assistance, as usual, from Jaylen Brown (29), Malcolm Brogdon added 23. The Spurs, who appeared in a particularly lacking squad, received eight players in double figures, led by Zach Collins and Josh Richardson with 18 points each.
Dallas (17:23) – New Orleans (16:24) 117:127
The fascinating battle for the top in the West ended with the victory of the Mavericks, who narrowed the gap from the Pelicans in third place to only one game, and the gap from the leading Denver to three and a half games. An overwhelming first quarter of 15:34 more or less closed the story, giving the host an eighth victory in nine games. The Pelicans, who appeared without their top three scorers – Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum – remained unanswered. Luka Doncic delivered his ninth triple-double of the season with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Christian Wood added 28. Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 for the loser, Naji Marshall added 24.
Golden State (20:20) – Orlando (25:15) 115:101
First away win for the Magic over the Warriors in ten years, despite the debut of Andre Iguodala who was dressed for the first time this season (0 points in 12 minutes) and the return of Andrew Wiggins. But besides Stephen Kerry, the champion also lacked Klay Thompson who felt pain in his knee just before the opening whistle, and without him the host did not have enough firepower. Paolo Bancro (25 points) and Franz Wagner (24) led the way, Anthony Lamb (26) and Jordan Paul (21) stood out from the other side.
Chicago (21:19) – Utah (22:20) 118:126
After stunning Philadelphia with 11 3-pointers, Zach LaVine settled for “only” eight this time, including three in a row in the fourth quarter, which gave the Bulls an important victory – their third in a row. The Jazz, on the other hand, have lost their sixth in seven games, and are losing ground after a surprising start to the season. Lavigne finished with 36 points, DeMar DeRozan added 35. Lauri Markkanen scored 28 for the guest.