The Bucks still without Giannis Antetokounmpo get rid of the Rockets without problems, the Celtics led by Jaylen Brown's 34 points beat the Cavaliers, surprise the Thunder (triple double by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) against the Nuggets.
The revised Hawks quintet collects the defeat against the Magic, the Californian derby against the Kings goes to the Clippers.
The race between the Bulls and Raptors has been postponed due to Covid.
In particular, the absences weigh heavily at Cavaliers, beaten by the Celtics 111-101 and below for the whole challenge, unable to find continuity and targets especially near the iron - where Cleveland was forced to give up, among others, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. To take advantage of it is Robert Williams III, who closes with 21 points (new career high) seasoned with 11 rebounds, while for the Ohio team the best scorer is Darius Garland with 28 points and 6 assists.
In Atlanta Hawks-Orlando Magic 98-104 Franz Wagner scores 25 points, Robin Lopez adds 10 with 11 assists (never so many in his career) and the Magic thus beat the Hawks in a challenge with reduced roster, full of absences due to Covid.
In the two "distorted" quintets there are also 17 points from Gary Harris (11/11 from the line) and 14 from the bench by BJ Johnson - useful after coming off the bench in his second game with Orlando