As often this season, this tenth victory in a row (116-108) which sets a new franchise record for Tennessee, will have borne the claw of Morant.
The 22-year-old leader, who delivered a beautiful duel from a distance with Stephen Curry, author of a triple-double (27 pts, 10 assists, 10 rebounds), started and finished the meeting very strong, showing himself in this title decisive.
After putting 15 pawns in the first quarter, to put his team into orbit, he was able to take the final blow, scoring the last five points in the last minute, while Gary Payton II (13 pts) came to bring the Warriors to three lengths.
What to finish as a bonus the best scorer of the meeting (29 pts, 8 assists).
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“
I wanted to be aggressive from the start.
We took a big lead over one of the best teams in the championship, which was able to come back and even gain the advantage (in the 3rd quarter).
But we continued to fight and play
, ”commented Morant, who was able to count on Tyus Jones (17 pts), factor X from the bench, whose two distant banderillas in quick succession paved the success of Memphis, to three minutes from the end (109-100).
48 hours after his successful return against Cleveland (17 pts), Thompson was able to bring (14 pts, 3 assists, 3 rebounds) despite playing time limited to 20 minutes.
In the “money-time” it was he who managed to maintain the suspense somewhat, with a basket and a decisive pass.
If his shot behind the arc had entered two minutes from the buzzer, the match could have been reverted.
Easy chicago
But in the absence of Draymond Green (thigh), an essential piece of the Warriors chessboard, it was Memphis, now very close to 3rd place occupied by Utah, who had the last word.
The 2nd position, Golden State therefore occupies it again, since Phoenix won in Toronto (99-95).
The Suns collective shone again, with the five holders who finished between 12 and 19 points each.
And as often in tight money-time, Chris Paul (15 pts, 12 assists) and Devin Booker (16 pts) made the difference by each scoring four points one minute from the end.
Too bad for the Raptors of Pascal Siakam (22 pts, 7 assists, 7 rebounds), who see their virtuous series stop at six successes, but remain 8th in the East.
In this conference, where the favorites Brooklyn (2nd) and Milwaukee (4th) mark time, Chicago increases its lead in the lead.
The Bulls have indeed corrected Detroit (133-87) by inflicting a terrible 72-35 in the second half.
DeMar DeRozan could have managed a triple-double (20 pts, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) if he had not remained on the bench during the last 16 minutes, leaving Nikola Vucevic to finish top scorer (22 pts, 8 rebounds).
Washington, in the snatch
Washington, finally, came to the end of Oklahoma City (122-118) thanks to a shoot behind the arc of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (16 pts) with 30 seconds from time.
On which Kyle Kuzma, top scorer of his team (29 pts) in the absence of Bradley Beal (Covid), added a final free throw to settle the bill.
The Wizards remain 9th in the East, the Thunder, beaten for the 5th time in a row despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32 pts) who vegetates in the penultimate place in the West.
