After opening the season with a record of 0:9, Milwaukee counts two losses in the last three games and this time to San Antonio. Boston doesn’t stop, Golden State beat Cleveland with a performance by Steph Curry, Phoenix lost, Jay Morant almost recorded a triple-double in Memphis’ victory over Minnesota, Oklahoma City recovered at the expense of Toronto and New York won. Next: Los Angeles Lakers – Sacramento.
San Antonio (7:6) – Milwaukee (2:10) 93:111
The Spurs snapped a streak of five straight losses at the expense of the bruised Bucks, who were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles and others. It was the second game in a row that Yanis missed and San Antonio took advantage of it to control the paint, they won 17:28 in the last quarter and Caledon Johnson’s three-pointer and another basket gave them an 83:101 lead with 4:39 minutes left. He finished with 29 points, Devin Vassell added 22 and Jacob Poltel 15 along with 10 rebounds. Milwaukee was led by Javon Carter with 21 points, Brook Lopez added 19 and Bobby Portis 16 along with 12 rebounds.
Boston (3:9) – Denver (4:8) 112:131
Grant Williams called himself Batman after stopping Nikola Jokic last season and the Celtics made sure the Joker didn’t get his revenge. Jayson Tatum was on fire with 34 points, eight rebounds and five assists to extend Boston’s winning streak to five in its third straight game with at least 30 points. Jaylen Brown also stood out with 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and Al Horford added 21 points. Jokic did score 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds on the other hand, but it wasn’t enough, Aaron Gordon added 17 points, Bruce Brown (10 rebounds) 16, Kantebius Caldwell Pope 15 and Jamal Murray (10 rebounds) 14.
Golden State (7:5) – Cleveland (4:8) 101:106
The Warriors continued their recovery trend with a second straight win after five straight losses. Kerry Shalhat in the previous victory over Sacramento with 47 points, this time “just” settled for 40 on 15 of 23 from the field (6 of 11 for three) along with five assists and four rebounds. The Warriors, who won 24:32 in the last quarter, received 20 points from Andrew Wiggins, 18 from Jordan Paul and 10 from Anthony Lamb. Klay Thompson shot just 3-of-13 from the field en route to nine points and Draymond Green finished with just two, but had 13 assists and 10 rebounds. Cleveland was led by Donovan Mitchell with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, Evan Mobley added 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Orlando (9:4) – Phoenix (4:8) 97:114
The Magic put together their first winning streak this season despite the lack of Paolo Bancro in a game in which they already led by 21 points. The Suns were without the injured Chris Paul for the second straight game, shooting 40% and only 13 of 42 from three. Cameron Payne scored 22 points for Phoenix, who received 17 from Devin Booker (eight rebounds and six assists) and 14 from Deandre Ayton. Wendell Carter Jr. stood out in Orlando with 20 points and ten rebounds, Franz Wagner added 17 points, Jaylen Suggs 16, Terrence Ross 14, Ball Ball (15 rebounds) 13 and Chuma Okake 11.
Memphis (4:9) – Minnesota (8:5) 103:114
The Grizzlies continued their streak with a fifth win in the last six games. As usual, Morant (28 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals) and Desmond Bain (24 points) starred in the ranks of Phoenix who won 33:39 in the second quarter. Dillon Brooks added 21 points, Brandon Clark 15 and Santi Aldama finished with 12. The Timberwolves continued to disappoint with a sixth loss in the last seven games despite 28 points from Anthony Edwards. Jayden McDaniels and Rudy Gover added 15 points each, Karl Anthony Towns finished with 13 and 10 rebounds.
Oklahoma City (7:5) – Toronto (6:7) 113:132
The Thunder bounced back from four straight losses with the help of a career-high 22 points from Eugene O’Moroy. This is Oklahoma City’s biggest margin of victory this season and in the second quarter they celebrated with 32:41. Shay Gilges Alexander scored 20 points for the winners, Aaron Wiggins (seven assists) added 17, Josh Giddy (nine rebounds) 15, Alexey Pokusevski 14 and Luganz Durrett and Terra Man 13 each. 20 points and 12 rebounds from Chris Boucher, Fred Van Vliet and Scotty Barnes added 15 points each were not enough for the Raptors.
New York (6:6) – Detroit (10:3) 112:121
The Knicks with a second win in the last three games after 21 points from Julius Randle (eight rebounds and five assists) at the expense of the Pistons, who count five losses in their last six games. RJ Barrett scored 30 points and Jaylen Branson added 26 for New York. In Detroit, Boyan Bogdanovich scored 25 points and Alec Barks added 17.