The Boston Celtics dominated the Phoenix Suns (117-103), putting behind them their inaugural defeat in preparation for the NBA resumption against the Oklahoma Thunder who followed up by beating the Philadelphia Sixers (102-97), Sunday in the Orlando bubble. The Celtics, third in the Eastern Conference before the interruption of the season in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, were able to count on a trio made up of Gordon Hayward (17 points), Jayson Tatum (16 pts, 9 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (21 pts) to impose their domination after a first quarter to the advantage of the Suns (29-32). Besides the satisfaction of the victory, Boston was able to recover Kemba Walker. The former leader of Charlotte played little (9 minutes, 6 points) but the main thing was to be reassured about his recurring pain in a knee. Frenchman Vincent Poirier only had 5 minutes and a half to eat, time to capture four defensive rebounds.
On the Suns’ side, it was Devin Booker who stood out the most, coming close to the double-double (17 pts, 9 assists). French Phoenix full-back Elie Okobo, who has just joined his teammates in Orlando, has not played. The Sixers had to do without their Cameroonian star Joel Embiid, who hit his right calf on Friday against Memphis (90-83 victory). Very in leg, Ben Simmons passed very close to a triple-double (14 pts, 11 rebounds, 9 assists). His team was up to 24 lengths ahead at the end of the third quarter (81-57) before the Thunder reversed the situation. Andre Roberson was decisive, scoring two three-pointers in the last minute of play.
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