Chicago (USA), 7 Jan. The Boston Celtics reinforced their leadership in the Eastern Conference this Saturday with a victory in the field of the San Antonio Spurs with 34 points from Jayson Tatum, in an NBA day in which the Slovenian Luka Doncic achieved a new triple double in the victory for the Dallas Mavericks and in which the Los Angeles Lakers continued their growth with a vibrant victory in Sacramento.
KINGS 134 – LAKERS 136
The Lakers sealed their fifth consecutive victory after beating the Kings with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from LeBron James and 27 points from the German Dennis Schroder, decisive with the two free ones from the victory with two seconds to go after a controversial foul called on De’Aaron Fox.
The referees reviewed the play and confirmed the free kicks that gave victory to the Lakers, in which Russell Westbrook signed a double double of 23 points and fifteen assists and Thomas Bryant contributed 29 points, with twelve of fourteen shooting, and fourteen rebounds.
The Kings surrendered despite 34 points from De’Aaron Fox, who had tied the game at 134-134 with some terrific play and a jump shot. His performance ended without an award, as did Domantas Sabonis’s sixteenth consecutive double double.
MAVERICKS 127 – PELICANS 117
The Slovenian Luka Doncic achieved the triple double number 55 of his NBA career, contributing 34 points, ten rebounds and ten assists in the comfortable victory of the Dallas Mavericks over the New Orleans Pelicans who could not count on Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram nor CJ McCollum.
The Texans, who interrupted a seven-game winning streak with a home loss against the Boston Celtics, relaunched to place fourth in the Western Conference (23-17), one win behind the third-placed Pelicans (24-16).
Christian Wood finished with 28 points and six rebounds, while Hardaway Jr chipped in with 18 on a night in which the Mavericks touched 57% shooting accuracy.
For the Pelicans, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas had 25 points and ten rebounds, shooting 10 of 13, and Naji Marshall had 24. Spanish Willy Hernangómez scored six points and grabbed ten rebounds in just over ten minutes on court.
SPURS 116 – CELTICS 121
Jayson Tatum sealed 34 points, with five triples, Jaylen Brown, with 29 points, and Malcom Brogdon, with 23 points and a 5 of 6 from the arc, launched the Celtics in the Spurs field.
Joe Mazzulla’s team contained a Spurs in which up to eight players finished above ten points, led by the double double of 18 points and twelve rebounds from Zach Collins.
The Celtics sealed their leadership in the East (28-12) and added their second consecutive victory after the resounding victory achieved in the field of the Dallas Mavericks, also with Tatum as the protagonist.
BULLS 126 – JAZZ 118
The Bulls extended their sweet moment and, after interrupting the Brooklyn Nets’ twelve-game winning streak and triumphing in Philadelphia against the 76ers, they beat the Jazz with 36 points from Zach LaVine and 35 from DeMar DeRozan.
The Finn Lauri Markkanen, formerly of the Bulls, contributed 28 points and signed some spectacular dunks, including one with a hand in the third period that left the United Center speechless.
The Bulls add three consecutive victories and placed ninth in the East (19-21), in ‘play-in’ positions. The Jazz are tenth in the West (20-22).
WARRIORS 101 – MAGIC 115
The Warriors suffered their second consecutive loss at home and against accessible opponents. After the Pistons, the Magic also conquered the Chase Center, led by the 25 points of Italian Paolo Banchero, first choice in the last draft.
Steve Kerr’s team sank on a night in which, to the already known casualties of Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins, that of Klay Thompson was added.
The only good news for the Warriors was the good performance of Anthony Lamb, with 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists, the best of his career.
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. Classifications:
. Eastern Conference:
.1. Boston Celtics 28-12
.2. Brooklyn Nets 26-13
.3. Milwaukee Bucks 25-14
.4. Cleveland Cavaliers 25-15
.5. Philadelphia 76ers 23-15
.6. New York Knicks 22-18
.7. Indiana Pacers 22-18
.8. Miami Heat 21-19
.9. Chicago Bulls 19-21
10. Atlanta Hawks 18-21
11. Washington Wizards 17-23
12. Toronto Raptors 16-23
13. Orlando Magic 15-25
14. Charlotte Hornets 11-29
15. Detroit Pistons 11-31
. Western Conference:
.1. Denver Nuggets 26-13
.2. Memphis Grizzlies 25-13
.3. New Orleans Pelicans 24-16
.4. Dallas Mavericks 23-17
.5. Sacramento Kings 20-18
.6. LA Clippers 21-20
.7. Phoenix Suns 20-20
.8. Portland Trail Blazers 19-19
.9. Golden State Warriors 20-20
10. Utah Jazz 20-22
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 19-21
12. LA Lakers 19-21
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 17-22
14. San Antonio Spurs 13-27
15. Houston Rockets 10-29
. EFE
am/amd