On the night from Friday to Saturday in the NBA, Boston emerged victorious from an exciting match against Milwaukee, and LeBron James struggled with the Lakers, stunned by Trae Young and Atlanta in overtime.
Boston always comes out on top. Despite an unusual clumsiness from afar, the champion was able to find the resources to overcome a very good Milwaukee team (111-105), during the night from Friday to Saturday. The two teams offered an exciting match with 14 changes of leader and a gap which never exceeded 8 points. Facing the duo Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points, 11 rebounds) and Damian Lillard (31 points), Jayson Tatum was once again decisive (34 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), and was seconded by Jaylen Brown (25 points).
Bad news for all their opponents, Boston was able to overcome an unusual three-point clumsiness (17 out of 53 at 32%, 7 out of 28 at halftime) for a 19th victory this season against a team in form. “It was a difficult victory, we didn’t shoot well especially in the first period, but we were able to find another way,” Tatum said. A winning basket from veteran interior Al Horford at 1:30 from the siren gave the Celtics a decisive 4-point lead.
After having received a fine of $25,000 earlier in the day for having mimed a throat slitting on Thursday after a dunk against Detroit, Jaylen Brown this time received a technical foul for having chambered Antetokounmpo, mocked as “too small” after a beautiful offensive action from the last Finals MVP. The Bucks still recorded good news with the start of the season of Khris Middleton (11 points), who had ankle surgery in the offseason.
The “King” still delights at almost 40 years old
In another thrilling match, the Los Angeles Lakers ended up losing to the Atlanta Hawks on the floor (134-132 after overtime), despite a regal LeBron James. The “King”, who will celebrate his 40th birthday at the end of the month, scored 39 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and distributed 11 assists, including several spectacular, keeping the Lakers afloat with the help of Anthony Davis ( 38 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) against the Hawks bench, more efficient. James multiplied his classy actions, particularly during a tense end to the match.
-For example, he sent a three-point shot on one leg, then equalized 12 seconds from the siren to force overtime. Victim of a knee from Davis on his thigh in the last action, he still played overtime, giving his team a 2-point lead with 2 minutes 10 to go, before pouncing for a monstrous counterattack on Dyson Daniels. But the Angelenos wasted their lead at the end of the match by being messy on a commitment then a jump ball which was won by Davis. Trae Young, author of a crazy evening (31 points, 20 assists) made the victorious long shot 7 seconds from the end, before a final missed attempt from LeBron James. On the bench at the end of the game, Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Wembanyama hit in the back
A team in good shape and 3rd in the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic fell to the Philadelphia 76ers (102-94) who are slowly recovering from a disastrous start to the season. Franz Wagner (30 points) was not enough against Paul George (21 points, 9 assists) and KJ Martin (20 points). French interior Guerschon Yabusele was efficient with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Without Victor Wembanyama, injured in the back, for the second game in a row, the San Antonio Spurs were crushed by the Sacramento Kings (140-113).
Excluded after two technical fouls, Texan pivot Zach Collins gave the middle finger to one of the referees which should cost him dearly later. Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors (23 points) fell at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves (107-90). Anthony Edwards shone with 30 points and 9 assists, French pivot Rudy Gobert compiled 17 points and 11 rebounds.
