The night before Christmas (at least in the United States) was quite busy for the NBA with fourteen matches played; Simone Fontecchio rejoices with his Detroit Pistons, who beat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-117 for victory number 13 of the season in the upset of the day. The blue puts a nice brick in the success of MoTown, with 13 points without shooting errors, nullifying LeBron James' triple double of 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, but missing the equalizer shot.
It also goes ko Boston, who suffered their seventh defeat of the season against 22 victories. Even without Jayson Tatum, the reigning champions are playing against the surprising ones Orlando Magic, who are establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the East despite the continuing absence of Paolo Banchero; thrilling victory for the Florida franchise 108-104 with 18 points from rookie Tristan Da Silva.
Cleveland, on the other hand, does well, remaining in the lead in the East. Comfortable success against Utah Jazz, managing the match from start to finish; there are five men in double figures in the final 124-113, with Daruus Garland finishing with 23 points and 8 assists while Evan Mobley scored a double double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. New York also did well, giving a boost in the second quarter and beating the Toronto Raptors 139-125.
Philadelphia instead holds on to Tyrese Maxey, in absentia Embiid who gets sent off in the second quarter: the point guard leads his team to success against Saint Anthony by 111-106 with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, making Victor Wembanyama's 26 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocks in vain together with a decent Paul George. Minnesota also slips, who surrendered in the last partial to the Atlanta Hawks jostling for a place in the sun; in the final 117-104 Trae Young is the protagonist with 29 points and 7 assists, but he also finds Garrison Matthews with 25 points and 7/8 from three. Minnie on the other hand is betrayed by the big names, the best is Naz Reid with 23 points from the pine. Clear victory for Milwaukee, which has no problems against Chicago (91-112).
Clear victory, the eighth of the final, for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who beat the Washington Wizards with a run of 19-3 at the beginning of the second quarter for the final 123-105 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 41 points with 9 rebounds and 3 assists, while the other half of Los Angeles, the Clippers, rejoiced, beating the Memphis Grizzlies away with Norman Powell's four late points. Luka Doncic returns and dominates: 27 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds in the Dallas Mavericks' victory over Portland (132-108), while Golden State is betrayed by Steph Curry (10 points and 2/13 from the field) and goes down at home with the Indiana Pacers (105-111).
NBA, THE RESULTS OF THE NIGHT
Orlando Magic-Boston Celtics 108-104
Charlotte Hornets-Houston Rockets 101-114
Cleveland Cavaliers-Utah Jazz 124-113
Philadelphia 76ers-San Antonio Spurs 111-106
New York Knicks-Toronto Raptors 139-125
Miami Heat-Brooklyn Nets 110-95
Atlanta Hawks-Minnesota Timberwolves 117-104
Chicago Bulls-Milwaukee Bucks 91-112
Oklahoma City Thunder-Washington Wizards 123-105
Memphis Grizzlies-Los Angeles Clippers 110-114
Dallas Mavericks-Portland Trail Blazers 132-108
Golden State Warriors-Indiana Pacers 105-111
Denver Nuggets-Phoenix Suns 117-90
Los Angeles Lakers-Detroit Pistons 114-117
