Three small matches on the program this night and quite a few absences to highlight here and there. However, some were able to shine, notably the Celtics, easy winners against the weakened Sixers (+50!)
Scores :
- Celtics – Sixers : 129-89 (stats)
- Bulls – Grizzlies : 121-124 (stats)
- Spurs – Jazz : 126-120 (stats)
The main facts of the night:
If some were hoping to see a glimpse of the future summit duel between Celtics and Sixers in the East, they must have been disappointed. For this visit to TD Garden, Nick Nurse had in fact decreed a huge turnover in his squad. So no Joel Embiid, nor Paul George or Tyrese Maxey. Not even Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon or even Andre Drummond. Our tricolor Guerschon Yabusele (8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block in 20 minutes) was dressed for his first return to his former NBA team. The Celtics, who had the majority of their executives in uniform, did not show sentiment by crushing a Philly team that was simply not equipped to fight. After a quarter, the suspense was already over but Boston pressed the accelerator again after the break to clear things up and turn the match into a real massacre. Final score: 139-89..
Often criticized in recent years for his fluctuating level, will Zach LaVine attack the season with the knife between his teeth? In any case, the guard was excellent last night against Memphis with 28 points in 22 minutes and above all a lethal side to efficiency (9/12 shooting including 6/6 from distance!). Not enough against the Grizzlies of Zach Edey (15 points, 8 rebounds) who took advantage of the comeback in the second half to regain control of the match with Jay Huff or even Miye Oni who heated up at the end of the 3rd quarter time. A rather anecdotal defeat therefore for Chicago, which must surely be pleased to see its main headliner again at this level.
Zach LaVine had it ROLLING for the @chicagobulls in #NBAPreseason action tonight!
28 PTS | 9-12 FGM | 6-6 3PM | 22 MIN pic.twitter.com/pYsHLTCRzv
— NBA (@NBA) https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1845310308849520979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
No Victor Wembanyama and therefore less fun on the San Antonio side, where the Spurs still won against the Jazz. Quite a bit of satisfaction among the spurs with Stephon Castle showing up again, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones shining off the bench, and also a good Jeremy Sochan. Opposite, the Jazz were deprived of Lauri Markkanen and were able to count on the attacks of an in-form Collin Sexton. Also note the good exit of Cody Williams, one of the attractions of the coming season for Utah.
KELDON JOHNSON EMPHATIC POSTER SLAM ????
UTA-SAS | #NBAPreseason | NBA League Pass
???? https://t.co/SjGJ1KioKT pic.twitter.com/3RNTrl7kRZ
— NBA (@NBA) https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1845283403685413110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
