The reigning NBA champion largely dominated the Clippers while Curry’s teammates were surprised at home by Brooklyn.
After five months of absence, Boston Celtics pivot Kristaps Porzingis made a winning return against the LA Clippers (126-94), just like Jay Morant with the Memphis Grizzlies, who defeated Portland (123-98), Monday evening in NBA.
Boston goes 6th and breaks a record
Author of 16 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes on the floor of the TD Garden, Porzingis, returning from a serious ankle injury, contributed to the 6th success in a row for the “C’s”.
«It was driving me crazy not to be there. But it was worth the wait», Reacted the Lithuanian pivot, who was injured during the last NBA final against Dallas at the end of spring. Boston tied an NBA record by hitting 12 3-pointers in the second quarter. The Celtics made 22 of 51 3-point attempts in the game (43.1%).
More, “no matter who is present or absent, we are an incredible team“, he added, while four other Boston players exceeded 15 points against the Clippers (Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown).
Opposite, the 23 points and 10 rebounds of Ivica Zubac and the 19 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists of James Harden did not weigh heavily for LA, which recorded an 8th defeat in 19 matches.
In the East, Boston (15 v., 3d.) remains 2nd, two victories behind Cleveland.
Morant powers Memphis
After missing eight games due to a hip injury, Ja Morant was on time for the restart as he scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half, a performance enhanced by 11 assists.
Here too, the opponent, Portland, stuck at the bottom of the rankings in the West, was no match.
With this 11th victory (in 18 matches), the Tennessee franchise remains in contact with a leading quartet now led solo by Oklahoma City (13-4), big winner in Sacramento (130-109) thanks in particular to the 37 points and 11 assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Golden State surprised by Brooklyn
Because, at the same time, Stephen Curry’s Warriors were surprised at home by the Nets (128-120).
As usual, Curry responded, scoring 28 points and crossing the bar of 3,800 points scored from long distance, a record.
But the Californians stalled in the last quarter, giving in to the attacks of Dennis Schröder (31 pts) and Cam Thomas (23 pts).
With this 5th defeat (for 12 victories), the Warriors let OKC slip away. But they will quickly have the opportunity to redeem themselves as the Thunder appear on Wednesday at Chase Center.
Anunoby knocks out Denver
If Kyrie Irving shone with 32 points scored during Dallas’ victory in Atlanta (129-119), the performance of the evening went to OG Anunoby, who totaled 40 points, his personal best, on the Denver floor.
This performance from the 27-year-old Nigerian winger, accompanied by those of Karl-Anthony Towns (30 pts, 15 rebounds) and Jalen Brunson (23 pts, 17 assists), allowed the Knicks to defeat the Nuggets (145-118). by Nikola Jokic, limited to 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
New York is 4th in the East (10-7) while Denver only appears 7th in the West (9-7).
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