Golden State, leader of the Western Conference, easy against Orlando, and his runner-up Phoenix, painfully against San Antonio, won in the NBA (the North American Basketball League) where Chicago impressed to beat Denver, while a very dominant Joel Embiid won Philadelphia over to Charlotte.
Every evening, Stephen Curry finds a way to make a basket in a new way, to feast the retinas. After the shoot from the stands last Saturday, he sent the ball very high with a retro effect that hit the mark after rebound. And success did not escape him against the Magic (31 points, 8 assists), with a 7/12 at long distance – including one at the buzzer from the center line – now bringing him closer to 15 units from the historic shooting record. at 3 successful points held by Ray Allen (2,973 units), which could be cleared by the end of the week. Without batting an eyelid therefore, with Andrew Wiggins even more skilful than Curry in this exercise (8/10, 28 points), the Warriors won (126-95), reaching the milestone of 20 wins (for 4 losses), just like the Suns. Without Devin Booker (hamstring injury), they relied on Chris Paul to overcome Spurs (108-104). The veteran leader scored 10 of his 21 points (plus 10 assists) in the last quarter and managed a crucial counter 1 min 25 sec to go on Dejounte Murray (17 points, 14 assists).
In the Eastern Conference, the Bulls consolidated their second position by beating (109-97) the Nuggets (8th in the West) still inconstant, except Nikola Jokic in triple double mode (17 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds). Even deprived of DeMar DeRozan (Covid-19 protocol), Chicago has lost none of its energetic and pleasant basketball, embodied by Zach LaVine (32 points, 8 assists), Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic each bringing 20 points and 10 rebounds . With this fourth success in a row, the franchise of Illinois is behind Brooklyn and ahead of Milwaukee, who defeated Cleveland (112-104), relying on Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek got it right on his 27th birthday, with 27 points in 27 minutes (plus 12 rebounds), supported by his two lieutenants, Khris Middleton (21 points, 8 assists) and Jrue Holiday (20 points, 8 assists).
In 4th place remains Miami, despite its loss (105-90) at home against Memphis, which consolidates its 4th place in the West in front of the Clippers winners in Portland (102-90). The Grizzlies, in no way affected by the absence for five matches (all won) of Ja Morant (knee), shone collectively, with five holders between 14 and 21 units each. Blow all the more hard for the Heat as Jimmy Butler (10 points), barely recovered from a contusion to the coccyx, worsened his injury after a heavy fall.
In Indiana, Bradley Beal, less bleeding offensively this season, woke up (34 points, at 12/19), but, slightly hit in a shoulder, he was unable to prevent Washington’s third consecutive defeat (116-110 ) against the Pacers (13th) guided by the Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis (30 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists). The Wizards remain 5th, because Charlotte (8th) gave up (127-124) on his floor against Philadelphia, carried by a huge Joël Embiid (43 points, at 15/20, 15 rebounds, 7 assists), who delivered a tasty duel with Kelly Oubre Jr (35 points). The Cameroonian scored six of the Sixers’ eight points (7th) in overtime, before giving the assist to Tobias Harris (21 points, 11 rebounds). In 10th place points Atlanta, winner in Minnesota (121-110). Trae Young (29 points, 11 assists) showed the way and the Frenchman Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, still holder and excellent (23 points, 7/14 behind the arc), followed her.
Here are the full results of the matches (ap meaning after extra time) and the rankings of the two NBA conferences:
Miami-Memphis 90-105
Golden State-Orlando 126-95
Portland-LA Clippers 90-102
Phoenix-San Antonio 108-104
Chicago-Denver 109-97
Milwaukee-Cleveland 112-104
Minnesota-Atlanta 110-121
Charlotte-Philadelphia 124-127 (a.p.)
Detroit-Oklahoma City 103-114
Indiana-Washington 116-110.
Eastern Conference
1. Brooklyn Nets
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Miami Heat
5. Washington Wizards
6. Boston Celtics
7. Philadelphia 76ers
8. Charlotte Hornets
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Atlanta Hawks
11. New York Knicks
12. Toronto Raptors
13. Indiana Pacers
14. Orlando Magic
15. Detroit Pistons.
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Phoenix Suns
3. Utah Jazz
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. Los Angeles Lakers
8. Denver Nuggets
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Sacramento Kings
12. San Antonio Spurs
13. Houston Rockets
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
15. New Orleans Pelicans.
Source: AFP
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Golden State, leader of the Western Conference, easy against Orlando, and his runner-up Phoenix, painfully against San Antonio, won in the NBA (the North American Basketball League) where Chicago impressed to beat Denver, while A very dominant Joel Embiid won Philadelphia over to Charlotte, and every night Stephen Curry finds a way to make a basket of …
