Doncic torpedoes, Philadelphia wastes, Golden State cheats
Published: Changed:
Los Angeles (AFP) – Luka Doncic, unstoppable with 53 points, again played Superman in Detroit (111-105) in Dallas and Philadelphia, but a scarecrow against low-ranked Orlando (119-109), Monday is Gene’s 93rd birthday. Hackman, who plays the basketball coach on “Hoosiers.”
Merciless
What to do when he plays at this level? Not much. The problem for his opponents is that this phenomenon is happening more and more often. This is actually the 4th time this season that Doncic has scored at least 50 points in a game. And he is the only one in this business.
Late in the game against the charming Pistons, some of whose members tried in vain to destabilize him verbally, his address was spectacular for his comeback (17/24, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals). a sprained ankle caused him to miss the game.
Dallas remains in 6th place in the West, behind defending champion Golden State (128-120), which confirmed its current recovery in Oklahoma City.
The third success in a row, mainly thanks to the inevitable Stephen Curry, with a huge triple-double (38 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds) with great success behind (8/14). His “leaping brother” Klay Thompson (28 points) was not left out.
A bridge too far
The Sixers had the wind in their sails in January, matching MVP-worthy stats from Joel Embiid. So taking the Magic, ranked 13th in the East, should have led to an eighth straight victory. Only the progress of these ambitious people stopped.
Philly, which also gave up 3rd place to Milwaukee, still has itself to blame, as it squandered a 21-unit lead in the first period, seemingly lacking the energy or even desire to finish the job. , except for Embiid still at 30 points (11 rebounds).
Making the most of their opponents’ offense with 19 shots, Orlando was able to rely on the excellent performance of their No. 1 player in the final draft, Paolo Banchero, the author of 29 points (9 rebounds). substitute Moritz Wagner (22 points).
secret chat
During the somewhat sleepy matchup in Brooklyn, cameras often panned to a plainclothes LeBron James, talking, hand over mouth, several bystanders, including Anthony Davis, cutting off the discussion and thus not participating. It became the advantage of “Nets” (121-104).
Reduced, the Californians were still in the game after three quarters, led by Russell Westbrook (17 points, 8 rebounds), who became the 10th best passer in history with ten evening offers.
But they managed to push the pace last time for Kyrie Irving (26 points) and his teammates for Brooklyn (4th), but they also lost their best, Kevin Durant.
This second defeat in a row obviously did not affect the good mood of James, who often laughed. However, LA is far from the playoffs, 13th in the West behind Portland, thanks to 42 points from Damian Lillard and 40 points from Dejounte Murray, who beat Toronto (129-125).
French connection
Of the three Frenchmen on the court, Rudy Gobert stood out the most, but his 19 points and 14 rebounds didn’t stop Minnesota (9th) losing at home (118-111) to Sacramento (3rd). However, “Gobzilla” was decisive in extending the lead with a free throw in the final minute that cut the lead to three, then the game-winning basket with an early offensive rebound.
While Killian Hayes was ineligible (8 points, 7 assists, 2 steals) he was still a substitute with Detroit, suffering from the Doncic Act like his teammates.
Finally, Ousmane Dieng appeared very sparingly with the Thunder against the Warriors (2 points, 1 rebound).
© 2023 AFP
