Harden disgusts Houston
James Harden was ruthless.
Back on the Houston floor for the first time since January and his turbulent start to Brooklyn, he was the author of a triple-double (29 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds) decisive in the 132-114 victory of the Nets.
It was "a lot of mixed feelings towards the fans, but I knew it would happen," said Harden, greeted with cheers and a few whistles.
“I just wanted to come and give them a demonstration.
For me, as soon as I'm on this floor, it's '' you have to win '', commented the one who won the title of MVP of the championship in 2018, while playing for the Rockets.
His old franchise, on the razor's edge to qualify for the play-offs (8th in the Western Conference), broadcast during the first quarter a video in tribute to his eight seasons in Texas.
Despite the absence of Kevin Durant, Brooklyn easily won and consolidates its second place in the East.
Embiid wins, Mitchell wins
Huge Joel Embiid.
In Philadelphia, the Cameroonian pivot scored 40 points to allow the Sixers, leaders in the East, to dominate Utah, leader in the West, after extra time.
It is also Embiid who hooked the extension with a three-point basket 6.5 seconds from the buzzer to equalize at 118-118.
Tobias Harris took over in overtime, scoring 11 of his 22 game points to secure the 131-123 victory for "Philly".
Utah side, Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points (6 assists, 8 rebounds) but was excluded for a second technical foul in overtime.
"I'm never the type to take it out on the referees, but it goes wild," got carried away at the rear, judging the refereeing unfavorable to the Jazz.
“We are nice, we don't complain, we don't get angry, we let slip.
But the fact that we are always had like that ... it's ridiculous, "he fumed, after leaving the field outside of him.
The Lakers fall
Bad night for the Lakers.
Without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, injured, the defending champions fell (123-120) against Sacramento.
Dennis Schröder was the Lakers' top scorer with 28 points and nine assists.
But the German failed to score 5.9 seconds from the buzzer as the Lakers were down by one point.
Montrezal Harrell caught the rebound but in turn failed to pass the basket.
Kyle Huzma kept the ball but couldn't score either.
The Kings killed the game by finishing on two free throws.
The other 100% "West Coast" game turned to the advantage of Portland, the 108-106 winner of Golden State.
McConnell, Chief Interceptor
Indiana point guard TJ McConnell stood out in the 114-111 victory over Cleveland, with an unusual triple-double: 16 points, 13 rebounds and ... 10 steals.
With nine interceptions in the first half, McConnell broke the NBA record, and comes close to matching that in an entire game (11).
This is only the 11th time a player has signed a triple-double with interceptions since they were recognized as a statistic, in the 1973-1974 season.
"I just played with our defensive principles and try to help the team, I did not do anything just to make interceptions," said the leader of the Pacers, 9th in the East .
Mason Plumlee and Dennis Smith Jr, of Detroit, signed “classic” triple-doubles to carry the Pistons, easy winners of Toronto (129-105).
It had been half a century (since 1964 to be exact) since the Pistons had two triple-doubles in a game.
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