End of series for the Pelicans
After seven straight wins, the New Orleans Pelicans fell overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday on the floor of the Utah Jazz (121-100). The Salt Lake City franchise, which remained on eight defeats in eleven matches, signed a great collective performance. Malik Beasley was the most prolific off the bench (21 points), while Lauri Markkanen (19 pts, 11 rebounds), Jarred Vanderbilt (18 pts, 14 rebounds, 6 assists) and Walker Kessler (11 pts, 16 rebounds) slammed double-doubles. By limiting the Pelicans in particular to 14.8% from three points, the Jazz made the difference in the second (23-15) and third (39-26) quarter, despite the 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists of Zion Williamson. He finds himself eighth in the West, while the Pelicans remain in the lead with the same record as the Memphis Grizzlies (18 wins / 9 losses).
The Rockets continue against the Suns
Two days after being offered the Bucks (97-92), the Houston Rockets left the red lantern in the West by beating the Phoenix Suns (111-97). Jalen Green (26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), Kevin Porter Jr (18 pts, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Alperen Sengun (10 pts, 16 rebounds) are the main architects of this fifth consecutive victory at home for Houston. Victory that quickly took shape, with a 19-point lead at the break (54-35) against the Suns still deprived of Cam Johnson (knee) and Devin Booker (thigh), while Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Cameron Payne (foot) was also injured last night. Phoenix lost a fifth straight game and finds itself fourth in the West before moving to the Clippers on the night of Thursday to Friday.
Embiid and Harden carry the Sixers
Thanks in particular to Joel Embiid (31 points) and James Harden (21 pts, 7 rebounds, 15 assists), the Philadelphia Sixers for their part dominated the Sacramento Kings (123-103) and signed a third consecutive victory. Tobias Harris (21 pts, 9 assists, 7 rebounds), Matisse Thybulle (15 pts) and Shake Milton (14) also participated in this almost one-sided success. In front at the end of the first quarter (39-32), Philadelphia crushed the second (41-23) to give themselves a comfortable lead and then manage. 80 points at halftime, against 55 for the Kings, is a record this season for the Sixers. With 4 of 24 three-pointers, the visitors didn’t compete in this game, despite Domantas Sabonis’ 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Philadelphia is fifth in the East, Sacramento seventh in the West.