Phoenix flies away, New York sinks

Aurélie SACCHELLI, Media365, published on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 9:14 a.m.

Only three games were on the night’s schedule in the NBA, and they saw Phoenix win at Dallas, Golden State’s overtime loss to Indiana, and New Orleans’ success at New York.

Phoenix takes the break at the top of the Western Conference! The Suns are now three and a half games ahead of Golden State, thanks to their victory in Dallas (5th), combined with the Warriors’ defeat against Indiana on Thursday. The Arizona franchise went on to win 101-109 in Texas, thanks to a fiery last quarter, won 19-35. While the meeting had been close until then, even if it was the Mavericks who had most often been in the lead (+12 at the start of the third), the Suns, still led 97-96 with 4’36 remaining, increased the pace, thanks in particular to Bismack Biyombo, who scored 6 points to bring the score to 99-104. Chris Paul, three points (99-107), then Devin Booker on free throws sealed the victory for Phoenix, which won for the ninth time in a row against Dallas. Booker finished with 28 points, Paul with 20, and Luka Doncic with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for the Mavericks.

Indiana surprises again!

After being offered the Lakers on Wednesday, Indiana won at Golden State on Thursday! The Pacers, who are however having a difficult season and were deprived of their stars Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, or even Myles Turner, went on to win 117-121 after extra time at the Warriors. If the Californians dominated the first half, but without counting more than nine points in advance, the Indiana players came back well in second, and at the start of the last quarter, the score was 83-83 . The two teams then took the lead in turn. 34 seconds from the end, Warriors and Pacers were tied 107-107, and it was finally Justin Holiday, on a 3-point shot, who snatched the extension six seconds from the buzzer (110-110). An extension during which Golden State led 115-110, then Indiana equalized at 115-115 before flying away thanks to five points from Keifer Sykes, and winning. Chris Duarte finished with 27 points and 7 rebounds, while Stephen Curry’s 39 points and 8 assists weren’t enough for the Warriors. Also note the 0 of 7 from 3 points by Klay Thompson.

New York falls from above

Third defeat in a row for the Knicks, who are no longer even virtually qualified for the play-in. Tom Thibodeau’s men lost at home against the West’s thirteenth, New Orleans: 91-102. Carried by Jonas Valanciunas (18pts, 10rbds), Josh Hart (17pts, 7rbds) and Brandon Ingram (15pts, 6pds), the Pelicans led almost from start to finish and were up to 25 points ahead at the start of the last quartert, before the Knicks came back a bit to ultimately lose eleven points. But this defeat remains painful for the Big Apple players, like Julius Randle, who ends with 4 points, Kemba Walker with 5 and Evan Fournier with 6 (17pts and 15rbds for Mitchell Robinson). Madison Square Garden fans booed their team for much of the game. We will have to do better on Sunday against the Clippers.

NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Dallas Mavericks – Phoenix Suns : 101-109
>>> Frank Ntilikina’s stats (DAL): 2 minutes of play, 0 points (0 shots, 0 free throws), 1 foul

New York Knicks – New Orleans Pelicans : 91-102
>>> Evan Fournier’s stats (NYK): 25 minutes of play, 6 points (2/8 on shots including 1/6 at 3pts, 1/2 on free throws), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 lost ball , 1 fault

Golden State Warriors – Indiana Pacers : 117-121 ap

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