Six games were on the program for the NBA night, and in particular allowed the Lakers and the 76ers to chain another victory. On the other hand, Denver lost the game of extremes against San Antonio, while Minnesota bowed after overtime against Brooklyn, despite Rudy Gobert’s 26 points.
LeBron James is injured, but everything is going well for the Lakers, who chained a third victory Friday, against Toronto (122-112) in a match between the ninth in the Conference, which allows them to keep their chances of qualifying for the play-in, even the play-offs. But everything is extremely tight in the West (three game gap between 6th and 13th place). Both teams had their periods, but it was the Californians who finished stronger, going 26-17 in the final nine minutes. D’Angelo Russell, who has been out for six games, made a comeback with 28 points and 9 assists, while Anthony Davis, well taken by the defense of the Raptors, was content with 8 points and 9 rebounds in 32 minutes. Scottie Barnes’ 32 points and OG Anuoby’s 31 weren’t enough for the Canadians. Still in the West, the surprise came from San Antonio, where the wide leader Denver came to break his teeth at the penultimate (128-120). If the Nuggets of a huge Nikola Jokic (37pts, 11rbds, 11pds) dominated the first half, they totally cracked in the second, the fault in particular of a Keldon Johnson with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. This makes two losses in a row for the players of Colorado, who still retain seven victories ahead of their runner-up, Sacramento. Next game: against Brooklyn on Sunday.
Suspense in Minneapolis!
The Nets, precisely, signed a big performance by going to win in Minnesota after overtime: 123-124. While the Wolves had dominated the first half hour of the match, then had allowed Brooklyn to pass in the last quarter, Naz Reid had snatched the extension for his team on a 3-point shot at the buzzer (114-114). But the Nets won that overtime 10-9, with Spencer Dinwiddie blocking Mike Conley to finish. Brooklyn, sixth in the East, was able to count on 34 points from Mikal Bridges and 29 from Spencer Dinwiddie. Opposite, Anthony Edwards signed 32 points, while Rudy Gobert broke his season record with 26 points (12/15 on shots), but it was useless. It is now the Hawks who await the Wolves on Monday.
Le hold-up des 76ers
In the East, Philadelphia, third, continues to get closer to the lead, with a fourth victory, at the expense of Portland (120-119). An incredible heist, because the 76ers have never led during this meeting, before the shot of Joel Embiid (39pts, 7rbds) a second and a half from the end! Previously, the Blazers had counted up to 21 points ahead and led 98-95 at the start of the last quarter and still 114-104 five minutes from the buzzer! Despite Anfernee Simmons’ 34 points, Jerami Grant’s 24 and Damian Lillard’s 22, this defeat could hurt Portland, thirteenth in the West and a game and a half from the play-in. Also note in this Eastern Conference the victory of Miami (7th) against Cleveland (4th) on the score of 119-115, with 33 points (including 12 in the last five minutes) from Jimmy Butler, and despite Donovan’s 42 points Mitchell.
NBA – REGULAR SEASON
Friday, March 10, 2023
Minnesota Timberwolves – Brooklyn Nets : 123-124 ap
Rudy Gobert (MIN) stats: 42 minutes of play, 26 points (12/15 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 2/6 on free throws), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 1 ball lost, 3 faults
Philadelphia 76ers – Portland Trail Blazers : 120-119
Washington Wizards – Atlanta Hawks : 107-114
Miami Heat – Cleveland Cavaliers : 119-115
san antonio spurs – Denver Nuggets : 128-120
Los Angeles Lakers – Toronto Raptors : 122-112
