Undefeated for 12 games, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost on the night from Sunday to Monday against the Indiana Pacers (108-93). The Denver Nuggets beat Dallas by a score of (112-101).
End of series for the best team in the League: the Cleveland Cavaliers, undefeated for 12 games, came up against the Indiana Pacers (108-93) on Sunday in the NBA, when Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets, who had been trailing for a long time, overthrew Dallas (112-101). The Cavs recorded their fifth defeat of the season, only the second at home, against Pascal Siakam’s Pacers (18 points). A near feat for Indiana in that it was also led by 15 points and had to do in the second half without its star Tyrese Haliburton, injured. But not much is currently resisting the Pacers. Carried by Siakam but also by Andrew Nembhard (19 pts) and a double-double Myles Turner (15 pts and 10 rebounds), the Indianapolis franchise won a sixth consecutive victory with at least 10 points in advance. “We had nothing to lose… They are the best team in the League currently,” commented Membhard, regarding the second half of the Pacers, 5th in the East (22 v., 18 l.).
Nuggets win against Dallas
Trailing by 19 points during the third quarter, Nikola Jokic (19 pts, 18 rebounds, 9 assists) and his teammates achieved the feat of winning on the Dallas floor, which allows them to take 4th place in the West to their host. Russell Westbrook rose to Jokic’s level by also coming close to a triple-double (21 pts, 10 rebounds, 7 assists). It was he who put the Nuggets in front with a lay-up five minutes from the end (97-96), before the two stars combined their efforts to allow Denver to take the lead. facing the “Mavs” deprived of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. “What I like about this group is their resilience. We find ourselves on the ground, but we continue, we try to find the means to get up, there is no panic. commented coach Michael Malone.
Boston narrowly
Champion Boston only won by a breath against the valiant Pelicans (120-119), thanks in particular to the 38 points and 11 rebounds of the essential Jayson Tatum. Here too, the “C’s” were able to stay focused despite a failed start, since New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, back from suspension, was up to 11 points ahead. Despite this success, Boston, 2nd in the East (28-11), is still five victories behind Cleveland. In the West, leader Oklahoma City saw its star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appear rather clumsy (5 out of 17 shooting) but it was still enough to beat the modest Wizards (136-95). Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr scored 10 points each and grabbed 11 rebounds between them, but the difference in level between the two teams was too great. This 32nd victory allows the Thunder to keep Houston and Memphis at a good distance (7 wins ahead).
Brunson and Towns carry the Knicks
The performance of the evening goes, in New York, to the duo Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, authors of 74 points between them, including 44 for the first named, during the large victory of the Knicks 140-106 against the Milwaukee Bucks, who remained on three victories. New York, 3rd in the East, took the opportunity to stay in Boston’s wheel, and thereby resisted a comeback from the Orlando Magic, winner of the Sixers 104-99. Guershon Yabusele spent 39 minutes on the floor for “Phila” but only scored eight points (3 rebounds, 2 assists).
