The Minnesota Timberwolves lost a close match to Memphis on Saturday during an NBA evening where three matches were postponed, including two in Los Angeles due to the fires raging in the megalopolis.
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost narrowly at home against the Memphis Grizzlies (127-125) after a suspenseful match with 25 changes of leaders and a gap which never exceeded 6 points.
The Wolves of Donte DiVincenzo (27 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) had nevertheless taken the advantage after a basket from Rudy Gobert 2 minutes 39 from the siren. The French pivot (12 points, 4 rebounds) had previously stood out with a nice one-handed poster dunk upon receiving a lobbed pass.
But Gobert missed two free throws 1’09 from time before two great actions from Ja Morant (12 points), overshadowed the rest of the match by his teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. (33 points, 8 rebounds). Anthony Edwards (15 points) twice missed a long-range shot in the final moments which could have allowed the Wolves to win. Memphis remains 3rd in the West (25-14) while Minnesota falls to 8th place (20-18).
Cade Cunningham’s impressive triple-double (23 points, 10 rebounds, 17 assists) led the Detroit Pistons to victory against the Toronto Raptors (123-114). The Pistons now have a positive record (20 wins – 19 losses, 8th in the East) and can, as mid-season approaches, consider a first qualification for the play-offs since 2019. Like their team ( 19 of 33 from distance at 57.6%), Tim Hardaway Jr. (27 points) was precise from three points (7 of 8). Immanuel Quickley’s Raptors (25 points) lost their 5th meeting in a row, the 16th in their last 17 matches.
Three matches postponed
Three matches scheduled for Saturday were postponed: two in Los Angeles, following the fires that have raged in the megacity since Tuesday, and the Atlanta Hawks match against the Houston Rockets, due to a snowstorm in Georgia which made the roads dangerous.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ matches against the San Antonio Spurs and the Clippers’ matches against the Charlotte Hornets were postponed by the NBA on Friday, in order not to “borrow resources dedicated to fighting fire“. Lakers coach JJ Redick, whose house was destroyed by flames in the ravaged Pacific Palisades neighborhood, said Friday he hoped the team could play again quickly, for “give hope“.
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