Aurélie SACCHELLI, Media365, published on Sunday November 20, 2022 at 08:00
Utah regained the lead in the Western Conference by going on to beat Portland in the top game of the NBA night. Minnesota, for its part, won a third game in a row, against Philadelphia. Atlanta, Indiana and the Clippers also won.
The boss of the West is Utah! The Jazz, which turned a page this summer by separating from Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, finds itself leader of the Western Conference to everyone’s surprise after 18 games, following its success at its new runner-up, Portland. Salt Lake City players snatched the victory (113-118) in the last moments of the game, thanks in particular to a Jordan Clarkson on fire. He has indeed scored eight points in a row (28pts in total) in the last 108 seconds! Portland was leading 108-107 with two minutes remaining, and Clarkson single-handedly gave Utah a 115-109 lead with 44 seconds remaining. The Blazers came back to 115-113, but Michael Beasley, the game’s leading scorer with 29 points, sealed the victory for Utah on free throws. Lauri Markkanen added 23 points and 10 rebounds. Anfernee Simons finished with 23 points for Portland, as Damian Lillard, shot in the calf, went out during the third quarter.
Minnesota takes advantage of the windfall
Minnesota, after having experienced a small crisis with three defeats in a row, is better, and has chained a third victory, on the floor of Philadelphia (109-112). Facing 76ers deprived of James Harden (right foot) and Tyrese Maxey (left foot) at kickoff, then who saw PJ Tucker and Joel Embiid (32pts, 9rbds, 6pds, 3int) come out during the meeting, the Wolves took advantage of it. They were up to 20 points ahead during this match, but were scared at the end, when Philadelphia returned to 110-109 29 seconds from the buzzer. However, Anthony Edwards (25pts, 5rbds, 5pds) did not crack on free throws while Georges Niang missed the equalizer shot. Rudy Gobert’s Wolves (8pts, 13rbds) are now tenth, before receiving Miami.
Easy Clippers, Atlanta hero Griffin
Still in the West, the Clippers (7th) made short work of San Antonio (13th), winning 119-97 with 26 points from Norman Powell, 21 from Paul George and 11 from Kawhi Leonard. The Californians made 21 3-point shots (only one for Nicolas Batum), their season high. In the East, Atlanta is third behind Boston and Milwaukee, following its 124-122 success over Toronto (7th) in overtime, thanks in particular to 33 points and 12 from Trae Young. But the hero of the game is called AJ Griffin (17pts), who gave the victory to the Hawks at the buzzer on an alley-oop after a pass from Young, against a desperate Canadian defense. Finally, Indiana (5th) also narrowly won: 114-113 against Orlando (13th) thanks to two free throws from Aaron Nesmith (19pts) nine seconds from the end.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Saturday November 19, 2022
Philadelphia 76ers – The Minnesota Timberwolves : 109-112
Rudy Gobert (MIN) stats: 28 minutes of play, 8 points (4/7 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 0 free throws attempted), 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 interception, 5 fouls
Los Angeles Clippers – San Antonio Spurs : 119-97
Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 16 minutes of play, 3 points (1/4 on shots including 1/3 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 lost ball, 2 fouls
Atlanta Hawks – Toronto Raptors : 124-122 ap
Indiana Pacers – Orlando Magic : 114-113
Portland Trail Blazers – Utah Jazz : 113-118