Seven games were on the night’s program in the NBA, and notably saw the victory of Phoenix (without Kevin Durant) and Boston, and the defeat of Denver and Dallas (where Luka Doncic was injured).
After a disappointing first half of the season, Phoenix is on the way, and second place in the Western Conference seems like a very attainable goal for the Suns. Even without Kevin Durant, who twisted his ankle in the warm-up and slipped on the floor and therefore did not make his big debut at home, the Arizona franchise signed a fourth victory in a row, in easily beating Oklahoma City (132-101), deprived of its star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even if the Suns had “only” a ten-point lead at halftime, they then rolled out their basketball, in the wake of a Devin Booker at 44 points (17/23 on shots). Note the good match of the French Ousmane Dieng (12pts, 7rbds) for the Thunder. On Saturday, Phoenix will play an important game against third-placed Sacramento. The Suns are only two games behind the Kings and Memphis (which will still be deprived for four more games of its star Ja Morant, dismissed from the team for his behavior).
The Clippers at the rendezvous, Dallas worries about Doncic
At the top of the Conference, Denver has a good lead (nine more wins than Phoenix), even if the Nuggets lost this Wednesday at home against Chicago. Denver was however complete (18pts, 12rbds and 8pds for Nikola Jokic, who was less than 50% shooting success for the first time in 51 games) and still led by a few points in the middle of the third quarter, before exploding completely, conceding a 44-66 in the second half. Zach LaVine finished with 29 points and Nikola Vucevic with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Sixth, the Clippers beat Toronto 108-100 dominating the entire second half, thanks in particular to the duo Kawhi Leonard (24pts, 12rbds) – Paul George (23pts). Dallas, seventh, lost 113-106 to New Orleans, 9th and still deprived of Zion Williamson for at least two weeks. CJ McCollum’s Pelicans (32pts, 5rbds, 5pds) took control early in the second quarter and never let go. On the Mavs side, Kyrie Irving finished with 27 points and 6 rebounds, but we are worried about Luka Doncic (15pts, 8pds), hit in the thigh and released in the third quarter. He will take exams on Thursday.
Boston is moving forward, Porzingis is a hit
In the East, second in the standings, Boston, ended a three-game losing streak by easily beating Portland (115-93) in a one-sided game. Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and Damian Lillard 27. Cleveland, fourth, signed a nice operation on its side by winning 100-104 in Miami, seventh, after an excellent second half. Darius Garland finished the game with 25 points and 7 assists and Donovan Mitchell with 18 points for the Cavs who only played eight (28pts for Jimmy Butler on the Heat side). Finally, Atlanta (8th) went to beat Washington (10th) 120-122, despite a huge Kristaps Porzingis at 43 points (17/22 on shots including 7/10 at 3pts), a new career record!
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
New Orleans Pelicans – Dallas Mavericks : 113-106
Frank Ntilikina (DAL) stats: 9 minutes of play, 0 points (0/1 shooting including 0 3-point shot, 0 free throws attempted), 2 rebounds, 1 interception, 2 fouls
Phoenix Suns – Oklahoma City Thunder : 132-101
Ousmane Dieng’s stats (OKC): 28 minutes of play, 12 points (5/13 on shots including 2/6 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 interception, 2 loose balls, 2 faults
Olivier Sarr’s stats (OKC): 11 minutes of play, 5 points (2/3 on shots including 0/1 to 3pts, 1/1 on free throws), 2 rebounds, 1 against
Los Angeles Clippers – Toronto Raptors : 108-100
Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 15 minutes of play, 2 points (0/1 in shooting including 0/1 at 3pts, 2/2 in free throws), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls
Moussa Diabate (LAC) was not in the group
Washington Wizards – Atlanta Hawks : 120-122
Miami Heat – Cleveland Cavaliers : 100-104
Boston Celtics – Portland Trail Blazers : 115-93
Denver Nuggets – Chicago Bulls : 96-117
