NBA fans enjoyed a round of nine games tonight (between Friday and Saturday).
Tonight’s games:
Orlando (28:17) – New Orleans (20:26) 110:123
Atlanta (22:24) – New York (22:25) 124:139
Cleveland (19:28) – Golden State (23:23) 120:114
Dallas (22:25) – Miami (22:25) 90:115
San Antonio (32:14) – LA Clippers (24:24) 131:126
Denver (13:33) – Indiana (24:23) 111:134
Utah (25:24) – Brooklyn (17:28) 117:106
No. Lakers (25:20) – Memphis (13:31)
Sacramento (18:25) – Oklahoma City (23:22)
Orlando (28:17) – New Orleans (20:26) 110:123
Another game for the Pelicans without Zion Williamson ended in a loss, this time to the weak Magic from the East. The visitors managed to take the lead as early as 14, but saw Franz Wagner (30 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists) lead Orlando on a run that led them to victory over fading New Orleans. CJ McCollum (23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists) was unable to help his team in its eighth loss in the last 11 games and a drop to fourth place in the Western Conference.
Atlanta (22:24) – New York (22:25) 124:139
The rivalry forged in recent years in the playoffs reached its peak mainly in the games at Madison Square Garden. This time, Trae Young and the Hawks celebrated with a fifth consecutive victory over the Knicks who recorded their third loss in a row. After three tight quarters, in which Julius Randle (32, 9 rebounds and 6 assists) kept his team in business, Dejontae Murray (29 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists) took over the game along with The Hawks’ center (27 points and 6 assists) is on his way to a final quarter of 23:37 and a victory over the bitter rival.
Cleveland (19:28) – Golden State (23:23) 120:114
Repeating the huge Finals series of the previous decade, but without LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the Warriors chose to rest most of their superstars – Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green – and still managed to win at the 2016 champion with a great night from Jordan Paul (32 points) and Ty Jerome (22 points and 8 assists) including a critical three-pointer in the final moments of the match. Darius Garland (31 points and 9 assists) stood out for the Cavaliers who recorded their second loss in a row and were hosted by the leading four in the East.
Dallas (22:25) – Miami (22:25) 90:115
The three consecutive losses to Portland and Atlanta raised concerns among Mavericks fans about the cooperation alongside Luka Doncic and the great dependence on him in an attempt to repeat and surpass the achievement of the Western Conference Finals from last season. The Slovenian star of Dallas responded tonight with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 7 ass, and together with Spencer Dinwiddie (19 points), safely led from the first quarter with a double-digit margin that was maintained until the end. Victor Oladipo (20 points) tried to return the heat to the game without avail.
San Antonio (32:14) – LA Clippers (24:24) 131:126
In the meeting against the former in which he won his first championship, Kawhi Leonard enjoyed a season high of 36 points (4 rebounds and 7 assists) in a close game with a great second half from the Clippers. Keldon Johnson (23 points) led the Spurs scorers who went into halftime with a lead of 7, but Kawhi along with Norman Powell (26 points) managed to improve their balance and also enjoyed a successful night from Paul George (16 points and 12 AS) in the final minutes of the guests from Los Angeles.
Denver (13:33) – Indiana (24:23) 111:134
Without the MVP in the last two years, but with Eric Gordon (28 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists) and a tremendous evening by Jamal Murray with a great triple double (17 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists), The Nuggets kept the top of the Western Conference with a home win over the Pacers who were not a rival to one of the top contenders for the championship this season. Denver overcame the lack of Nikola Jokic, and with a great offensive and team play, recorded a ninth consecutive victory.
Utah (25:24) – Brooklyn (17:28) 117:106
The Nets’ season opener looked like another season toward breaking up the package around Kevin Durant. The team from the east coast recovered and advanced towards the first four in the east with an impressive winning streak. Tonight, after four consecutive losses that looked like the start of another bad run, and without Kevin Durant, Brooklyn came back big with a monster night from the other superstar in the team – Kyrie Irving. The guest’s guard scored 48 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 6 assists in a season high that was worth a costly away win over the Jazz. Jordan Clarkson (29 points) had already tied the score near the end, but Kyrie’s three-pointers along with Seth Curry restored the advantage to the Nets, which was maintained until the end in a tremendous performance by the center.
Sacramento (18:26) – Oklahoma City (24:22) 113:118
37 points from Shea Gilges Alexander were not enough for OKC against one of the pleasant surprises of the season in the league. The Kings came back from a halftime deficit and with Deron Fox’s 25 points, recorded their sixth straight win and moved up to third in the Western Conference. Domantas Sabonis himself added a wonderful triple double of 18 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists.