Ja Morant returned this Wednesday after eight games of suspension in the victory of the Memphis Grizzlies and the American of Dominican origin Karl Anthony Towns did so after 51 games out due to injury with the decisive play for the victory of the Minnesota Timberwolves, in a day of the NBA in which the Slovenian Luka Doncic also reappeared, whose exhibition was not enough to rescue some Dallas Mavericks in crisis.
Warriors 127, Mavericks 125
After breaking their eleven-game losing streak away from home against the Rockets, the Warriors achieved an important victory at the Mavericks’ field with a great ensemble performance. Jonathan Kuminga was the best with 22 points, accompanied by Steph Curry’s 20 in a group of six players over ten points.
The Mavericks are still not working, despite the return of Luka Doncic after five games out due to a muscle problem. The ex-madridista contributed a tremendous double double of 30 points and 17 assists, without prize.
Grizzlies 130, Rockets 125
Ja Morant returned after his suspension for posting a video on social media in which he carried a gun at a nightclub and the Grizzlies won their fourth straight. The home star started as a substitute for the first time in 240 games and contributed 17 points, four rebounds and five assists.
It was a reconciliation with the FedEx Forum that ended in post-match statements on the track, and with her daughter in her arms: "I feel good, mixed feelings. I love these guys, the fans, the institution. They have supported me a lot and it is a great help".
This triumph also means ensuring the victory, by the Grizzlies, in the Southwest Division of the NBA for the second consecutive year.
Lakers 122, Suns 111
The Lakers are not throwing in the towel in the fight for the ‘play-in’. Anthony Davis scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and the Lakers snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Suns that had lasted since 2021.
The Angelenos could also count on 26 points from D’Angelo Russell and a double double of 25 points and eleven assists from Austin Reaves.
Sixers 116, Bulls 91
The 76ers avenged the defeat suffered 48 hours earlier at home against the Bulls, after two overtimes, and dominated in Chicago, despite the loss of James Harden, with a shower of triples from De’Anthony Melton (25 points and 4 triples ), Tyrese Maxey (21 points and 4 triples) and Tobias Harris (20 points and 3 triples).
For the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan only scored four points, with zero of seven shooting from the field. All of his points came from the free throw line.
Bucks 130, Spurs 94
The Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points and grabbed fourteen rebounds in 23 minutes on the track in the resounding victory of the Bucks, the best team in the East, against the San Antonio Spurs, the second worst in the West.
For the Bucks, Bobby Portis had a double double of 19 points and ten rebounds and Khris Middleton had another 19 points and ten assists.
Timberwolves 125, Hawks 124
Towns returned to competition for the first time since November and his two free kicks with 3.1 seconds left gave the Timberwolves a hard-fought victory against the Hawks.
The player of Dominican origin contributed 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals after the serious calf injury that caused him to miss 51 games.
Nuggets 118, Wizards 104
The Nuggets added their third victory in the last four games, by overwhelming some Wizards in free fall in Washington, who have four consecutive losses and are currently eleventh, out of the ‘play-in’ positions.
Serbian Nikola Jokic dominated with 31 points, twelve rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 31 minutes on court. Michael Porter Jr chipped in 21 points on a brilliant six of nine on 3-pointers.
Heat 127, Knicks 120
The Miami Heat sealed a momentous victory against the Knicks to accelerate towards sixth place, which gives direct access to the ‘playoffs’, driven by a dominant Jimmy Butler, with 35 points and 11 of 19 shooting, to which he added nine assists .
The Knicks, fifth in the East, succumbed despite 26 points from RJ Barrett, 25 from Jalen Brunson and 22 from Quentin Grimes, on a night in which Julius Randle did not exceed fifteen, after signing 57 against the Timberwolves .
Pacers 118, Raptors 114
A monumental performance by Andrew Nembhard, with 28 points and ten assists coming off the bench, gave the Pacers a valuable win in Toronto to stay in the fight for a place in the play-ins.
The Raptors lost their second consecutive game, despite Fred VanVleet’s 28 points, and dropped to tenth position (35-38), ahead of the Pacers themselves (33-40).
Trail Blazers 127, Jazz 115
Damian Lillard directed with 30 points, seven rebounds and twelve assists the victory of the Blazers in the field of the Jazz, who are now tied with the New Orleans Pelicans (35-37), with a game behind the Lakers, tenth .
Classifications:
Eastern Conference:
1. Milwaukee Bucks 52-20
2. Boston Celtics 50-23
3. Philadelphia 76ers 49-23
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 46-28
5. New York Knicks 42-32
6. Brooklyn Nets 39-33
7. Miami Heat 40-34
8. Atlanta Hawks 36-37
9. Toronto Raptors 35-38
10. Chicago Bulls 34-38
11. Indiana Pacers 33-40
12.Washington Wizards 32-41
13. Orlando Magic 30-43
14. Charlotte Hornets 23-50
15. Detroit Pistons 16-57
Western Conference:
1. Denver Nuggets 49-24
2. Memphis Grizzlies 45-27
3. Sacramento Kings 43-29
4. Phoenix Suns 38-34
5. LA Clippers 38-35
6. Golden State Warriors 38-36
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 37-37
8. Oklahoma City Thunder 36-36
9. Dallas Mavericks 36-37
10. LA Lakers 36-37
11. Utah Jazz 35-37
12. New Orleans Pelicans 35-37
13. Portland Trail Blazers 32-40
14. San Antonio Spurs 19-54
15. Houston Rockets 18-55
