2023-11-23 06:19:00
The match: Tenth defeat in a row for Spurs despite a good Wembanyama
The young San Antonio team showed character by avoiding another correction at home on Wednesday evening. Opposed to the Clippers for the second time in a row, the Spurs lost (102-109) after having at least managed to largely erase a 17-point deficit. But Victor Wembanyama and his partners conceded a 2-18 when they returned to 62-64. They had lost the previous meeting by 25 points.
Limited to 11 and 9 points during the two duels against Los Angeles, the French prodigy took the upper hand on the opposing racket this time. He compiled 22 points on 7 of 13 shots, without attempting too many three-pointers (1 of 2), making all his shots (7 of 7), 15 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. It wasn’t enough for San Antonio, once again. Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers (26 points) have won the three matches played since Russell Westbrook moved to the bench.
The player: Kyrie Irving decisive against the Lakers
Dallas squandered a 20-point lead against Los Angeles but the Mavericks still won against the Lakers (101-104). Kyrie Irving was the hero of the evening. He was decisive at several points in the fourth quarter as his team took on water. He notably scored the basket for the three-point win on a serve from Luka Doncic 21 seconds from the buzzer while the Angelenos then had a 2-point lead following a tap from LeBron James on the previous action.
Irving also converted two shots following a deliberate foul by the Lakers to stop the clock. James missed the final attempt to snatch extra time. Before his killer basket, the Mavericks leader had also caused a significant loss of ball at a time when LA was on very good momentum. He finished with 28 points. Excellent in the first half, Luka Doncic compiled 30 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists.
The shock: Boston stops Giannis and Milwaukee
The first in the East against his runner-up. The two big favorites of their Conference. Even in the middle of November, a duel between the Celtics and the Bucks always has a bit of a special touch. Boston beat Milwaukee (119-116) by notably limiting Giannis Antetokounmpo to 21 points while he remained in two outings with more than 40 units.
The Celtics started the game 10-0 and were 14 points ahead (67-53) at the break, showing incredible skill (58%). But the Bucks recovered late, even coming back to 114-111. Jayson Tatum (23 points, 11 rebounds) did not crack on the free throw line at the end. Jaylen Brown scored 26 points. In the end, Joe Mazzulla’s players did not lead the score once. They are alone at the top of the Eastern Conference and the NBA with 12 victories in 15 matches.
The series: 5 in a row for Orlando
The Magic are the nice (semi-) surprise of the start of the NBA season. The Floridians reached the podium in the East after beating the Nuggets, defending champions, last night (124-119). Franz Wagner (27 points) and Paolo Banchero (23) led the charge for Orlando. The third game in a row where the Magic scored more than 120 points. Knowing that this team is also one of the best in the league on defense.
Nikola Jokic compiled a new triple-double (30 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists) and put pressure on Orlando in the last quarter but Wagner and his team held on to seek a fifth victory in a row.
The duel: Trae Young and Mikal Bridges explode the counters
After scoring 152 points against Indiana the day before, Atlanta planted 147 against Brooklyn on Wednesday night. Above all, they managed to limit their opponents to… 145 pawns after having conceded 157. Short victory for the Hawks against the Nets (147-145) after overtime. With one match in the match, that between Trae Young and Mikal Bridges.
The All-Star point guard from Atlanta compiled 43 points (12 out of 31 on shots…) and 9 assists while the Brooklyn winger scored 45. Both players were decisive for their team but it was Young who finally had the last word.
The performance: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still a hit
Author of 40 points against the Warriors a few days ago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did it again against the Bulls, with a victory for the Thunder (116-102). The Canadian guard shot 18 shots, 17 successful, and added 12 assists in addition to his 40 points. Oklahoma City stays the course and remains second in the West.
The image: Gregg Popovich asks San Antonio crowd to stop booing Kawhi Leonard
Surreal scene. Probably unheard of in the NBA. Tired of the attitude of Spurs supporters, Gregg Popovich took the microphone in the middle of the match, while Kawhi Leonard was on the free throw line. “Excuse me for a second. Can we stop the booing and let the guys play? Be a little classy. That’s not us. Stop whistling.”
Despite its pedigree and despite its place in the history of the franchise, its message has not gotten through at all. Fans booed Leonard – who forced his departure from Spurs in 2019 – throughout the match.
The caviar: Luka Doncic sends a pass… between LeBron’s legs
The French: Rudy Gobert in double-double
New victory for the Timberwolves, 112-99 against the Sixers without Joel Embiid. The Minneapolis franchise is first in the West and Rudy Gobert continues to contribute. The pivot accumulated 13 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. Nicolas Batum scored 6 points for Philadelphia. Bilal Coulibaly scored 7 points in another defeat for the Wizards.
All scores
Hornets – Wizards : 117-114
Magic – Nuggets : 124-119
Hawks – Nets : 147-145
Celtics – Bucks : 119-116
Cavaliers – Heat : 96-129
Pacers – Raptors : 131-132
Rockets – Grizzlies : 111-91
Timberwolves – Sixers : 112-99
Pelicans – Kings : 117-112
Thunder – Bulls : 116-102
Spurs – Clippers : 102-109
Lakers – Mavericks : 101-104
Trail Blazers – Jazz : 121-105
Suns – Warriors : 123-115
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