NBA
Jakob Pöltl and his San Antonio Spurs just missed ending their sporting misery in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Texans were beaten at home by the Memphis Grizzlies 122-124 in overtime on Wednesday evening (local time) and thus conceded their fifth defeat in a row. In overtime, San Antonio were only centimeters away from the liberation.
Devin Vassell had a chance to put Spurs back on track with a three-point shot late in extra time, but the 22-year-old just missed the shot with the final whistle. Memphis was therefore able to celebrate its fourth win in five games and the lead in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference, also because the Dallas Mavericks lost 87-94 at the Orlando Magic.
Pöltl and the Spurs, meanwhile, slipped to fourth in the table behind the New Orleans Pelicans, although the Viennese did everything in his power to avoid a fifth loss in a row. Along with Vassell, Pöltl was his team’s top scorer with 22 points. In addition, the center wrote himself into the statistics with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Yes, Morant and Desmond Bane were the Grizzlies’ top pitchers with 32 points each.
San Antonio once again showed comeback qualities against Memphis. The Texans not only came back into play after an early 14-point deficit and were up 94-89 after three periods. Even when the game seemed decided in extra time with the score at 114:123 and just under two minutes left on the clock, there was still an uproar with an 8:0 run. “We had the chance to win,” said Pöltl. But he also spoke of experiences from which the team would learn.
Bucks fight their way to their tenth win
The Milwaukee Bucks, Pöltl and colleagues’ next opponent on Friday, are the first team to hold ten wins in the league this season. In order to achieve success, however, the 2021 champion had to work double overtime. The Bucks defeated Oklahoma City Thunder only after two overtimes with 136:132 – and that without their top star. Because Giannis Antetokounmpo was not available due to knee problems.
The Brooklyn Nets gave the New York Knicks no chance at 112:85 and gave Jacque Vaughn, who was officially appointed head coach on Wednesday, a successful premiere. Kevin Durant recorded a triple-double from 29 points and twelve rebounds and assists. In another city derby, the LA Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 114:101. Paul George scored 29 points for the winners. LeBron James scored 30 points for the record champions, although he left the floor with just under six minutes to go.
National Basketball Association
Tables basic round