Curry, whoever scores loses
We may score 60 points, but we are not immune to defeat... Stephen Curry actually got the big points in Atlanta (22 out of 38 shooting, plus six rebounds and four assists).
With this performance, he is very close to his personal best -62 pts in January 2021 in Portland- and even becomes the second player aged 35 or over to score at least 60 points in a match, the only other example in the story of the NBA called... Kobe Bryant.
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“Steph was incredible, sublime... what a performance. I feel terribly bad for him and for our guys, because they are fighting,”
reacted coach Steve Kerr, whose team continues to struggle in the bottom of the Western Conference (12th, 21-25) .
In the opposite camp, Atlanta was able to count on Dejante Murray (19 pts), author of the equalizing basket before the buzzer (123-123) then untenable at the start of overtime, during which the Hawks lined up an 11-0 .
“That's what we need from him... He brings a lot to the team, he's full of talent
,” commented Trae Young, Atlanta's top scorer (35 points).
End of series for the Knicks
In New York, the Knicks saw their series of nine victories interrupted, the fault of LeBron James (24 pts) and his Lakers.
“We just increased the intensity in our defense
,” commented
“King James”
soberly , in reference to the last quarter during which LA made the difference (33-19).
And it was necessary to stop the Knicks, and in particular Jalen Brunson, author of 36 points in total.
“Jalen is playing at a level even higher than an All-Star this year, and we knew he was the head of the snake (to be cut, editor's note).
We tried to wear him down
,” James said about him.
The Lakers, 9th, remain in the race for the play-offs, while the Knicks maintain their fourth place in the East.
Giannis' gift to Doc Rivers
By scoring 48 points in Dallas (129-117), Giannis Antetokounmpo largely contributed to offering a welcome gift to his new coach, since the victory of the Bucks (129-117) ensures a place in the All Star for Doc Rivers.
Indeed, if Boston has the best record in the East, its coach Joe Mazzulla cannot claim it, since he already participated last year.
Milwaukee, where Damian Lillard also piled up the points (30), now has a record of 33 wins for 16 losses, two wins ahead of 3rd, Cleveland, winner in San Antonio 117 to 101.
In this match, it was Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, with 31 and 28 points respectively, who led the charge for the Cavaliers.
On the Spurs side, the Frenchman Victor Wembanyama was not unworthy, once again, with a solid double-double (19 pts, 14 rebounds).
But that did not prevent the Texan franchise from recording a 40th defeat in 50 games.