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Los Angeles (AFP) – Phoenix won Thursday in Dallas (109-101) in the NBA, making the difference in the last minutes, to establish its domination a little more in the West, in front of its dolphin Golden State, betrayed by big blunders at home. against Indiana.
When the sun goes down on a fairly tight game, the Suns shine even brighter. So much so that very often, this season, victory is promised to them.
Why ? Because they have Devin Booker and Chris Paul in their ranks, two “clutch” stars, ie capable of taking the match on their own, to better rock it with decisive actions.
So, with three minutes left to play with a score of 99-99, Phoenix finished 10-2 thanks to the two men.
The first took two free throws in the last seconds to total 28 points, not without having delivered two of his six assists during this money-time.
The second (20 pts, 11 assists) meanwhile put the shot behind the arc needed to kill all suspense.
“Our experience forged since last season (where they reached the final, editor’s note) means that we do not crack in these situations. We also harden our effort defensively. And usually it works”, explained Booker, who was against Luka Doncic, excellent in the first period before disappearing from the radar.
The Slovenian had 19 points at the break, after a long-range basket scored at the buzzer. But he could not continue at this rate, finishing with 28 units (8 assists, 8 rebounds).
For the Mavs, this second setback in twelve matches has no consequence on their 5th place. The Suns themselves increase their lead over the Warriors, beaten (121-117) without glory, after extra time, by tough Pacers yet devoid of their three leaders (Sabonis, LeVert, Brogdon).
The Knicks are collapsing
The LeBron James Lakers, mocked the day before after also being trapped at home by Indiana, modest 13th in the Eastern Conference, must have smiled when they saw the same fate reserved for Golden State, which can especially be blamed.
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Because even when you have Stephen Curry in his ranks, the only one to hold his rank (39 pts, 8 assists) except in overtime where he missed his last two attempts behind the arc (6/16 in the end), it is impossible to emerge victorious from a match where one commits 21 losses of balls, with to worsen the whole a 9/42 at long distance.
Thus the Californians, who quietly led by 16 points at the end of the first period, gave Indiana hope of a big blow, carried by Chris Duarte (27 pts) and Keifer Sykes, decisive with five of his ten points scored in an “overtime” which had been snatched by Justin Holiday (16 pts).
On the Warriors side, the absence of the warrior Draymond Green (calf) was once again felt, Klay Thompson struggling to find the target (12 pts).
In New York, nothing is going well after a third consecutive setback (102-91) conceded by the Knicks (11th in the East) at Madison Square Garden against the Pelicans, who were up to 25 lengths ahead.
With Julius Randle still going through (4 pts at 1/9, 7 rebounds, 6 assists), Evan Fournier lacking sharpness (6 pts) and almost invisible Kemba Walker (5 pts), the Knicks have sorely sinned offensively.
On the side of New Orleans (13th in the West), it was the collective as a whole that stood out, with six players between 11 and 18 points, the Lithuanian pivot Jonas Valanciunas (10 rebounds, 2 counters) proving the most prolific.
© 2022 AFP
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