Kawhi Leonard was instrumental in the Clippers’ success in Chicago, unlike Kevin Durant, helpless during Brooklyn’s defeat against Oklahoma City on Sunday in the NBA where the Boston-Miami shock was postponed because of the coronavirus.
Leonard revives the Clippers
Rid of his facial protection which had bothered him for several matches, following a nudge from his teammate Serge Ibaka received in the mouth, “Terminator” regained all his sensations to allow the Clips to overcome the Bulls (130-127 ). Two days after the embarrassing defeat of his team against Golden State after squandering 20 points in advance, he set an example in the 3rd quarter, scoring 21 of his 35 points (7/9 behind the arc) , to exceed the 10,000 mark since the start of his career. A performance he soberly attributed “to hard work and dedication”. “I get involved every day and I have my mind set on a goal,” commented the man who is seeking a third league title after those won in 2014 with San Antonio and 2019 with Toronto. Opposite, Zach LaVine’s 45 points (10/15 at long distance) were in vain.
The Lakers take the lead
Carried by the address (27 pts, 9/12 on shots) of Anthony Davis, LA won without forcing in Houston (120-102) where the match was folded at the break (19 pts difference) . LeBron James made a full copy (18 pts, 7 assists, 7 rebounds), not without being scared by receiving a blow to the head from DeMarcus Cousins, excluded for this technical foul, the second after a first consecutive to an altercation with Markieff Morris. With this 8th success in 11 matches, the Lakers are back in first position in the West ahead of Phoenix. The Rockets, where James Harden was limited to 20 points (9 assists) still do not take off (13th).
Thunder rumbles over Brooklyn
For his reunion with the Thunder, where he played eight seasons, Kevin Durant could not prevent the defeat of the Nets on their floor (129-116). Back after ten days of quarantine (contact case), he nevertheless shone (36 pts, 11 rebounds) in the persistent absence of Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn, whose record returns to negative (5 wins, 6 losses), sank in the third quarter (37-18). His defensive largesse benefited Shai Gilgeous Alexander (31 pts to 11/16, 7 assists) and rookie Hamidou Diallo (25 pts) off the bench. Also in New York, the Knicks conceded their second straight defeat against Denver (114-89). And it was easy, since the Nuggets, where Nikola Jokic was still the most prominent (22 pts, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), had 21 lengths ahead at halftime, without their opponents not the then reduce. NY side, only Julius Randle (29 pts, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) floated. Both teams have the same balance sheet (5-5).
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