What a disassembly! The Boston Celtics take apart the Sixers according to all the rules of the art – including a franchise record. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo explodes for 50 points, the Clutch-Suns do their thing once more and Karl-Anthony Towns leads Minnesota to a comeback win in overtime.
Atlanta Hawks (27-30) – Cleveland Cavaliers (35-23) 124:116 (BOXSCORE)
- After four losses from five games, it took a true Trae Young explosion to get the Hawks back on track once morest the surprise Eastern Conference team. His 41 points and 9 assists with strong odds (13/22 FG, 4/7 threesomes and 11/13 FT) as well as important buckets from Bogdan Bogdanovic (10) and Kevin Huerter (13) in crunch time sank the Cavs.
- Both teams fought an exciting exchange of blows over long stretches, then in the middle of the final section it was Young and De’Andre Hunter (18) who gave the home side from Downtown an important advantage. Although Cleveland continued to hold back bravely, but only Bogdanovic and two and a half minutes before the end of Huerter also put the final needle pricks from a distance, at the latest a young floater made everything clear.
- Atlanta got good production from almost the entire team across the board in the final run. In addition to the players already mentioned, Danilo Gallinari (25) also put in a good performance. “We just played well. We hit our shots and got stops when we needed them,” said Young happily.
- In the fourth quarter, Darius Garland in particular put up a fight for the Cavs. The point guard marked 10 of his 30 points (plus 8 assists) in the last round, but that was not enough. Evan Mobley put on a double-double (22 and 10 rebounds, plus 4 assists and steals each), Kevin Love threw in 21 points from the bench.
Miami Heat (37-21) – Dallas Mavericks (34-24) 99:107 (SPIELBERICHT)
Milwaukee Bucks (36-23) – Indiana Pacers (19-40) 128:119 (BOXSCORE)
- The night before, Giannis Antetokounmpo was given a break due to an injured ankle, but the Greek Freak was back in top form once morest Indiana. The Pacers felt this in a painful way, Giannis gave the guests a highly efficient 50 points as well Dunks on the assembly line one.
- “This efficiency, that’s… that’s… that’s just Giannis,” coach Mike Budenholzer mightn’t help but be amazed following his superstar had hung up 50 points at 17/21 (!) from the field. “It’s hard to see how he can score 50 points on 21 shots.”
- The two-time MVP provided the explanation, among other things, with a dominant appearance in the zone including several crashing dunks. But also with 2 threes in 3 attempts and a relatively safe hand from the line (14/18 FT). The Bucks were also dependent on this Giannis explosion, Milwaukee might not shake the Pacers until the fourth quarter.
- But then Antetokounmpo sank a buttery three-pointer and several freebies that put the Bucks some distance (+14). Giannis’ 19 points in the final stretch ensured Milwaukee’s victory would stay in the end, with Khris Middleton (19 and 8 assists) and Jrue Holiday (14 and 8) otherwise on hand. On the other hand, Buddy Hield was on fire, scoring a season best of 36 points (13 in the fourth quarter) and welding 8/12 threes through the trap. Tyrese Haliburton provided assists with 17 points and 8 dimes.
