The first regular season game between the last two NBA finalists is always an expected passage in a season. For this one, it was yesterday, and it was at the Chase Center. Golden State is not always flamboyant at the moment, but for the big meetings, no problem. The Warriors offered themselves this prestigious victory, with as always, the “Splash Bros” in the figurehead. Stephen Curry (32 pts) and Klay Thompson (34 pts) are the architects of a victory which should launch the 2022 season of champions for good. Boston, Jaylen Brown did the job (31 pts) but not Jayson Tatum, decidedly in the hard when he crosses the road of Draymond Green (18 pts 6/21 shooting). That certainly explains that.
It won’t surprise anyone, but Portland is better with Damian Lillard. 36 points for “Dame” during the success of the Blazers on the Timberwolves. A success that took time to emerge, since Minnesota, which is trying to limit the damage without KAT, resisted thanks to Anthony Edwards (26 pts) and the duo D’Angelo Russell – Rudy Gobert (24 each). But the 31 pointsAnfernee Simons will have weighed heavily in the balance, just like the domination of Portland on the rebound (51-36). Without a game winner Jamal Murraythe Blazers would be on 4 consecutive victories.
Jamal Murray, precisely, is returning to a quite interesting level. The point guard fielded 30 pawns in Denver’s win over the Jazz. But of course, the man of the match is again and again Nikola Jokic. The double MVP released a mammoth match and an extremely heavy triple double – the 80th of his career (31 pts, 14 pds, 12 rebounds) to subdue the resistance of Utah yet deprived of Lauri Markkanen et Mike Conley Jr. NIckeil Alexander-Walker came out of his box unexpectedly (27 pts), but nothing to do against these Nuggets who are back on the Western podium.
Washington is an enigma. His players chain the good individual performances. Last night, Kyle Kuzma (35 pts, 12 rebounds) and Kristaps Porzingis (30 pts, 15 rbds) were excellent, but no victory so far. fault one Paul George who had put on his savior suit (36 pts) and contributed to a victory that keeps the Clippers’ balance sheet positive, and which is important for John Wall, back to the capital. Without Luka Doncic, Dallas sank Chicago. Seven Bulls players scored more than 14 points, for a nearly 30-point success that did the Bulls good, off to a bad start, but left the Mavs tenth in the West.
The Heat have recovered their leaders, but the situation is not getting any better. Miami conceded in opening a third defeat in four games. the house in addition, and against the Spurs to polish the table. The match will have been close, of course, but alone Jimmy Butler (30 pts) and a lesser degree Tyler Herro (23 pts) did the job, Despite the presence of Bam Adebayo, the Spurs massacred their adversaries on the rebound (55-38) and resisted the onslaught of the Floridians. Candidate for the declared title since having passed a match in the final last year, Miami is 10th in the East (12v – 15d). This is going to have to change. The young Spurs, they won a second consecutive success.
Brooklyn had put all of its leaders to rest. But that didn’t stop the Nets from winning Indiana after an extremely offensive game. Cam Thomas put up 33 points and led the charge for the Nets, which allowed them to resist the 35 of Tyrese Haliburton. Quietly, Brooklyn is fourth west. Without Donovan Mitchell, and despite an average match of Darius Garland, Cleveland continues its good season with success over OKC. Sha Gilgeous-Alexander was below his standards (23 pts) and that was enough for the Cavs to take the lead, and consolidate their place on the podium.
Spurs 115-111 Heat
Clippers 114-107 Wizards
Nets 136-133 Pacers
Thunder 102-110 Cavaliers
Mavericks 115-144 Bulls
Celtics 107-123 Warriors
Jazz 110-115 Nuggets
Timberwolves 118-124 Blazers