Reaction clippers
Paul George (32 pts, 9 assists) and Marcus Morris (33 pts, 6 rebounds) were not too much to help the Clippers, several times led in the match, to overcome a tough Detroit team ( 131-124) at Staples Center.
In this game where each team forgot to defend, LA shot 62.5% success (57.7% long distance) and the Pistons 52.9%.
Nicolas Batum was very skilful (14 pts, 4/4 behind the arc) and proactive (9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks) in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, spared.
LA connects a 5th success which slowly brings it closer to the 2nd place occupied by Phoenix in the West.
Air hole in Denver
Denver forgot that a game was played in four quarters against Boston, winner of its third victory in a row (105-87).
Led by 14 points in the middle of the third quarter, then 79-74 at the end, the Celtics conceded five entry points from 4th, before inflicting a terrible 31-3 on their opponents, sharply deprived of a ninth success in a row.
Two days after beating his personal best (53 pts against Minnesota), Jayson Tatum launched the revolt of the C's with eight consecutive points scored on his 28 (10 rebounds).
Jaylen Brown added 20. Opposite, Nikola Jokic went in vain with a new triple-double (17 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds).
Denver, who is waiting to be able to recover Jamal Murray (knee), remains 4th in the West.
Boston remains 7th in the East ahead of New York (8th), which beat Toronto (102-96).
Milwaukee, out of turbulence
After three defeats in a row, the Bucks, deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) for the 5th time in a row, reassured themselves in the poorly classified Orlando (124-87).
Khris Middleton scored 21 points (8 rebounds, 5 assists) including two baskets behind the arc which make 1000 in his career.
“He's the quintessential professional, so consistent, a great scorer and he does it in a lot of different ways,” his coach Mike Budenholzer paid tribute to him.
Milwaukee retains its 3rd place in the East, ahead of Atlanta which consolidated its 4th by overcoming (105-101) Charlotte (6th).
The Hawks, without Trae Young (calf) and Danilo Gallinari (foot), were able to count on Bogdan Bogdanovic, author of 32 points including eight baskets behind the arc.
The interior Clint Capela (20 pts, 15 rebounds) also largely contributed to the recovery of their team, led by ten points at the start of the last quarter.
Miami looms over Portland
The duel between sixths in each conference turned to the advantage of the Heat among the Blazers (103-87), where the defense of the finalist of the last championship stifled Damian Lillard (12 pts) and CJ McCollum (17 pts).
Without Victor Oladipo (knee), the Florida team perfectly recited his basketball, engaged, balanced and efficient, like Bam Adebayo (22 pts, at 8/13) and Jimmy Butler (20 pts, 5 assists).
Blazers side, fatigue seems to be felt, but this setback has no consequence in the standings since Dallas (7th) was beaten at home by San Antonio (119-117).
DeMar DeRozan, untenable in the second half during which he scored 27 of his 33 points, offered the victory to Spurs with a mid-distance shoot scored at 5/10 of a second from the buzzer.
“DeMar is our scorer.
He took on a lot of responsibilities throughout the year.
He is courageous.
He misses some.
He puts others, like everyone else.
But he comes back and tries again, ”commented his trainer Gregg Popovich.
Dejounte Murray (25 pts) was also decisive, to allow the Texans to stop a series of five defeats, their longest of the season.
Mavericks side, Kristaps Porzingis was not enough, despite 31 points and 15 rebounds, nor Luka Doncic (29 pts, 7 assists).
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