Eight games were scheduled for the night in the NBA, including the one between the Lakers and the Dallas, which saw the Mavericks win at the buzzer. Golden State went down on its side in Atlanta as Philadelphia continued its streak by crushing Charlotte.
Bad luck for the Lakers! Fallen Wednesday in Houston, one of the worst teams in the League, the Californians still lost a game they had in hand, against Dallas. The Mavericks came to win 110-111 at Crypto.com thanks to a 3-point shot from Maxi Kleber at the buzzer after a pass from Kyrie Irving (38pts, 6rbds, 6pds). The only long distance shot from the German during this match! Seven seconds earlier, he had already scored three capital free throws to bring the Mavs from 109-105 to 109-108. In the process, Anthony Davis (26pts, 10rbds) scored only one of his shots (110-108) and a 3-point shot could therefore offer victory to the Texans. Which it actually was! A missed money-time which could cost the Lakers dearly, tenth in the standings and still under threat from Utah and New Orleans for play-in qualification.
Third in the West, Memphis suffered but ended up winning 120-126 in San Antonio after extra time after a match with an unlikely scenario. The Grizzlies trailed by 29 points midway through the third quarter but made the biggest comeback in franchise history to win (including a 9-0 in the final minute of regulation time), with a Jaren Jackson Jr at 28 points.
No surprise in the East
Golden State, seventh, lost its side once again outside, on the floor of Atlanta (127-119). The Hawks led for three and a half quarters, thanks in particular to 25 points and 12 assists from Trae Young (31pts for Stephen Curry). Minnesota did not benefit from this defeat of the Warriors, since the Wolves also lost: 139-131 in Chicago after two overtimes. Anthony Edwards was taken out in the first quarter with an ankle injury, and Rudy Gobert (21pts, 19pts) in the first overtime after his sixth faulte. This did not help Mike Conley’s Wolves (8 3pt shots scored, career record), fell on a duo DeMar DeRozan (49pts) – Zach LaVine (39pts) of the big nights.
At the top of the Eastern Conference, Boston is getting closer to qualifying for the play-offs after its 112-126 victory in Portland after leading almost from start to finish (34pts and 12rbds for Jayson Tatum; 41pts for Damian Lillard). No problem either for Philadelphia, who signed a seventh straight victory on the floor of Charlotte: 82-121. The Hornets scored just 28 points in the second half. Joel Embiid finished with 38 points and 13 rebounds in 29 minutes and James Harden with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Finally, Cleveland enforced logic by beating Washington 117-94 with 24 points from Darius Garland.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Friday, March 17, 2023
Charlotte Hornets – Philadelphia 76ers : 82-121
Théo Maledon (CHA) was not in the group
Chicago Bulls – Minnesota Timberwolves : 139-131 ap
Rudy Gobert (MIN) stats: 33 minutes of play, 21 points (8/14 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 5/9 on free throws), 19 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 blocks, 5 drop balls, 6 faults
Los Angeles Lakers – Dallas Mavericks : 110-111
Frank Ntilikina (DAL) did not play, by decision of the coach
Cleveland Cavaliers – Washington Wizards : 117-94
Atlanta Hawks – Golden State Warriors : 127-119
Houston Rockets – New Orleans Pelicans : 114-112
San Antonio Spurs – Memphis Grizzlies : 120-126 ap
Portland Trail Blazers – Boston Celtics : 112-126
