Los Angeles (AFP)
The Dallas Mavericks swept the Los Angeles Clippers 124-73 on Sunday in a game they dominated by 50 points at halftime, a record in NBA history, as the Nets and Bucks suffered surprising losses to the Hornets and Knicks.
Young phenom Luka Doncic only needed 26 minutes on the track to lead the Mavericks with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, well accompanied by guards Josh Richardson (21 points) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (18).
For the Clippers, who lost their star Kawhi Leonard, all of their players delivered disappointing performances, including their other star Paul George, with 15 points (4 of 13 from the field goal).
Before the media, the forward blamed the debacle on the fact that, after playing Friday in Denver against the Nuggets, the Clippers had their Christmas celebration with their families on Saturday.
“I take full responsibility, it was a tough game coming over Christmas. I enjoyed my Christmas day yesterday,” he said.
At the end of the first half the scoreboard indicated a stratospheric 77-27 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. This 50-point lead is the largest ever at an NBA game break, according to ESPN.
Although back from the locker room the Clippers seemed to react by scoring 10 consecutive points, Dallas kept his foot on the gas and ended up giving the Clippers the worst loss in their 50-year history.
– First defeat of the duo Durant-Irving –
In another of Sunday’s 10 games, the Brooklyn Nets fell 106-104 to the Charlotte Hornets in their first loss to their new superstar couple, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Durant, who had 29 points and 4 assists, missed a shot in the final seconds that could send the game into extra time.
Irving, on his side, finished with 25 points and 6 assists that were not enough for the Nets to add their third consecutive victory.
For the Hornets, a franchise owned by Michael Jordan, his new figure Gordon Hayward had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and rookie point guard Lamelo Ball 6 points and 6 assists in 20 minutes.
In another unexpected result, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks fell a clear 130-110 to the New York Knicks, who posted their first win of the season.
The Greek star finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds but his team was unexpectedly shipwrecked in defense against the modest Knicks, led by Julius Randle (29 points and 14 rebounds) and Elfrid Payton (27 points and 7 assists).
– Curry on triple podium –
The Golden State Warriors debuted their winning record in Chicago by beating 129-128 with a 3-pointer on the last play from backup guard Damion Lee.
The victory gave a break to the depressed Warriors, who have been giving a bad image since the beginning of the campaign despite having their star Steph Curry again, who this Sunday finished with 36 points, 5 triples and 6 assists.
Curry also became the third player in history to exceed 2,500 3-pointers in the regular season after retired Ray Allen (2,973) and Reggie Miller (2,560).
The Bulls suffered a new disappointment despite the fact that their young hopefuls finished with good statistics, such as Zach Lavine (33 points) and Wendell Carter Jr. (22 points and 13 rebounds).
On their turn, the Los Angeles Lakers easily defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves at home 127-91 despite the absence of center Anthony Davis due to a calf concussion.
LeBron James, with 18 points and 9 rebounds, and Kyle Kuzma, with 20 points and 4 triples, led the victory of the reigning champions against the Timberwolves who began to miss their star Karl-Anthony Towns, who suffered a wrist dislocation in the previous game.
The All-Star center will be out for at least several weeks but will not require surgery, the Timberwolves said Sunday.
Three members of the Spanish team coincided in the match that was proclaimed champion of the China-2019 World Cup.
For the Lakers there was center Marc Gasol, who sealed an exceptional performance with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and 4 blocks, and for the Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9 points and 4 rebounds) and power forward Juancho Hernangómez ( 6 and 5).
Results of the NBA Sunday round:
LA Clippers – Dallas Mavericks 73-124
Charlotte Hornets – Brooklyn Nets 106-104
Washington Wizards – Orlando Magic 113-120
New Orleans Pelicans – San Antonio Spurs 98-95
Cleveland Cavaliers – Philadelphia 76ers 118-94
New York Knicks – Milwaukee Bucks 130-110
Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics 108-107
Chicago Bulls – Golden State Warriors 128-129
Sacramento Kings – Phoenix Suns 100-116
LA Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves 127-91
© 2020 AFP
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