The Los Angeles Lakers lost to Oklahoma City (104-107). Phoenix took over Houston (123-111). Utah took place in Atlanta (98-116).
The Lakers, without LeBron James, wasted 19 points ahead and lost to Oklahoma City on Thursday in the NBA, while the leader Utah won in Atlanta and the Suns, yet in turmoil after allegations of racism and sexism , were beating Houston.
The day ended better than it started in Phoenix, where franchise owner Robert Sarver faces allegations of racism and sexism made in an ESPN investigation. The leader denies outright, but the NBA decided to seize the case and opened an investigation.
The Arizona team still managed to focus on basketball, without too much difficulty against the Rockets (123-111). Devin Booker was decisive (27 pts, 9 rebounds), Chris Paul very active (9 pts, 13 assists, 5 interceptions).
Phoenix (4-3) climbs to 5th place in the West, just ahead of the Lakers, victims of the Thunder’s comeback (107-104) which was led (44-25) in the 2nd quarter. Deprived of James, injured in the abdominals and unavailable for a week at least, the Californians lost their footing in the money-time, like this lost ball and this shoot behind the arc missed by Russell Westbrook (27 pts, 10/23 on shots, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) during the last twenty seconds.
Anthony Davis was very good (29 pts, 18 rebounds, 5 assists), but he hurt his right thumb just before the break and was less bleeding in the second half.
Opposite, the executioner was named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28 pts, 6 assists), well helped by Luguenz Dort, author of 17 points including the last six for OKC.
Earlier, Utah recorded a seventh win in eight games in Atlanta.
Boston defends like Miami
Without Donovan Mitchell (ankle), the Jazz was able to rely on its luxury replacement, Jordan Clarkson (30 pts). The executives also responded, like Bojan Bogdanovic (23 pts), Joe Ingles (19 pts, 5/6 behind the arc) and Rudy Gobert (13 pts, 15 rebounds, 3 assists).
Hawks side, who cracked in the last quarter (41-24), Trae Young (21 pts, 7 assists) was the only one to float.
After this fifth setback in nine games, Atlanta finds itself 12th in the East just behind Boston, which surprised Miami on its floor (95-78).
The Celtics’ collective performance has been remarkable with six players between 10 and 17 points, Jaylen Brown being the most prolific. And she was defensive too, because the Heat sinned in attack (34.6% success) abusing bricks sent from long distance (22%). So much so that only Jimmy Butler (20 pts) was at the level.
«It’s probably the worst game we’ve played offensively all season, including the preseason. But nights like this there will be», Commented the trainer Erik Spoelstra who insisted on«give credit to the Boston defense».
His team (6-2) at the same time gives up first place to Philadelphia (7-2), which took a period to take the measure of the red lantern Detroit (109-98), thanks in particular to 23 points from Seth Curry , still skilful (9/14).
Joel Embiid (19 pts, 9 rebounds) did not have to force his talent, despite the absences of Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris and the good resistance of Jerami Grant (27 pts) in the racket.
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