Nets diminished, Mavericks invigorated
The absence of Kyrie Irving (right shoulder), in addition to that of Kevin Durant (hamstrings), penalized Brooklyn, second in the Eastern Conference but who gave in to Dallas (98-115) and a Luka Doncic very leggy (27 pts, 6 rebounds, 7 assists).
For Brooklyn, the best attack in the league and who remained on eight consecutive victories, James Harden scored 29 points well, but that was not enough against the Mavericks, who could also count on the return of injury from Kristaps Porzingis (18 pts , 6 rbds).
Still 9th in the Eastern Conference, Dallas ended the month of February with a fine record of 8 wins in 12 matches, after a catastrophic start to the season.
The Texans are only two victories away from Denver, the last to occupy a qualifying place for the play-offs.
Westbrook record, Philadelphia falls
It's the surprise of the evening, but the Sixers, competitors of the Nets for first place in the East, also lost after an overtime, against Cleveland (109-112).
Joel Embiid (42 pts) and Ben Simmons (24 pts) were surprised by Cavaliers who took advantage of their luck, led in particular by Darius Garland (25 pts) and Collin Sexton (28 pts).
Finally, in Washington, the Wizards dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves (128-112), thanks to Bradley Beal (34 pts) who honored his status as the league's top scorer, as well as Russell Westbrook, who signed a new triple-double (19 pts, 14 rebounds and 12 assists).
It's his tenth triple-double of his season, a franchise record in just one season, while he's only in his 24th game with the Wizards jersey.
His next record in the sights: overtake Darrell Walker and his 15 triple-doubles, the all-time franchise record.
Utah strong leader
The Jazz probably wanted to recover after their defeat Friday (124-116) against Miami, and it was Orlando who paid the price.
Yet deprived of Mike Conley (hamstring), the leaders of the Western Conference, who remained on 11 wins in 13 matches, easily won 109-124.
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, also providing 6 assists.
Orlando, whose best scorers were Nikola Vucevic with 34 points and Evan Fournier with 16 points (7 rebounds and 4 assists), suffers his third consecutive defeat and is still in thirteenth place in the East.
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