Although playing for the first time with the three stars - Irving, Durant and Harden - the Nets surrendered in overtime to Cleveland 147: 135 • Impressive wins for Dallas, Golden State, the Clippers and Philadelphia
Claxton escapes to Harden.
The transcendence of the Cavaliers player
Photography:
USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland - Brooklyn 135: 147 (after overtime).
The Hunts' super team went up tonight for the first game in a united force of its trio of superstars.
Kyrie Irving who returned from his disappearance teamed up with Kevin Durant and James Harden, but even though the three of them were excellent, the Cavaliers were the ones who eventually smiled.
The numbers of the trio were supposed to be enough for the win.
Irving looked zero from the first moment and sniped 37 points.
Durant added 38 points of his own, picked up 12 rebounds and handed out 8 assists that joined for 4 blocks.
Harden did his thing with a solid triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
So what still did not work?
Another star, which on the way does not shine like the trio, stood opposite.
Colin Sexton did his best for Cleveland, finishing the evening with a career-high 42 points, including 20 straight in overtime and taking every opportunity the Nets missed to pull his team to an impressive W.
Irving. Repeated, sniper, lost // Photo: IP
Philadelphia - Boston 109: 117.
Also in this encounter an outstanding trio on one side could not star on one on the other.
Joel Ambide dominated this game for the Sixers, and like Sexton scored 42 points, squeezing wholesale fouls (17 of 21 from the penalty line) and finally securing the win.
The Celtics did not have enough 26 points from Jaylen Brown, which added 25 points from Marcus Smart and 23 points and 10 rebounds from Daniel Theis.
Ambide above all. Extortion Wholesale Offenses // Photo: IP
LA Clippers - Sacramento 96: 115.
Although the difference was half as much as the previous meeting, the Clippers seemed from the first moment to leave no chance for the Kings.
Kwai Leonard led the winners, who actually turned the second half into Garbage Time.
He scored 32 points, assisted by Paul George with 19 points and 12 assists, en route to the Clippers' fifth straight win.
Sacramento received 25 points from Diaron Fox and continues to carry losses on her shoulders.
Indiana - Dallas 124: 112.
It may sound funny, but Luka Doncic had a mediocre game, finishing with a triple-double of 13 points (33 percent from the field), 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
Did it bother the Mavericks?
Not this time.
Get the return of Kristpas Prosingis, who was No. 1 on the field and scored 27 points alongside 13 rebounds, reminiscent of the great talent of the Latvian, who put Dallas back on the winning track.
The Pacers had two outstanding players who did not make it.
Malcolm Brogdon led them with 26 points and Domantas Savonis added 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Golden State - San Antonio 99: 121.
The Warriors are proving they have what it takes to get out of the bad season they had in 2020, and the Spurs had no answer tonight.
Steph Kerry led the Warriors with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Jonetta Marie tried to reply with 22 points for San Antonio, who threw the game away very quickly.
Steph Kerry in action.
26 points in the Warriors' victory // Photo: IPI
Other results:
Atlanta - Detroit 115: 123 (after overtime), Toronto - Miami 111: 102, Minnesota - Orlando 97:96, Houston - Phoenix 109: 103