NETS 112 – KNICKS 85
The Nets smile clinging to the simple things. It’s the only thing they can do right now, but they’re doing it. Without the glamor and specific weight of Steve Nash (as an NBA personality, not as a coach), the much more worldly Jacque Vaughn has the team 3-2 with him (5-7 overall), with their last four rivals below 100 points. Two have scored under 90, including some gruesome Knicks who were down 69-44 at halftime and were as low as -35 at a night that showed that any minimally armed team can beat them. And, by the way, that the Nets continue to choke on them based on good: eight wins in a row, 111-106 already in the history of neighbors. Is related to Kevin Durant, who has won thirteen straight games against the Knicks (all since 2013, in OKC) twenty of twenty-three in his career. This time, the forward had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
The simple things: Durant is playing with passion again. When he could have given up completely (it seemed so) he has chosen to lead: shouting, gesturing and playing very well (in that it is wonderful). How much does it have to do with Kyrie Irving not being there? Maybe we’ll find out soon… or maybe not. While from the outside it is sold that steps are being taken for the point guard’s return (meeting with Adam Silver and everything else), the Nets do not seem to have much desire for him to return. With him, eight games, 2-6, the 18th attack and the second worst defense. Without him, 3-1, the seventh attack and the best defense in the NBA. Anyway…
Ben Simmons is still not resurrected, but at least he’s starting to go unnoticed. Durant is accompanied by a block of workers (Sumner, O’Neale, Claxton…) to which the talent of Seth Curry has joined: 23 points with his usual flashes from the three line. ORA good plan to win many games, at least in the regular season, which is what is now required of a Vaughn ratified yesterday as a coach and honest about his plan B label after the fiasco of the signing of Ime Udoka: “It wasn’t my wife’s plan either and we’ve been together for twenty years. So it can work.” The Knicks (5-6) went to the slaughterhouse uncontested. A horrible match, in which Thibodeau tried a thousand formulas, all without success. Julius Randle scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a dark night in a season that does not anticipate anything very good in Madison: wins against weak teams, many losses against others in a script that is going to be difficult to change.
THUNDER 132 – BUCKS 136
The Bucks are still the best team in the NBA (10-1 now), but they sweated ink to win in OKC (132-136). On the one hand, the Thunder compete even though they have lost four in a row (4-7). On the other, of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday were missing. And Khris Middleton is still not debutingso without big three This can be considered an excellent victory for the Bucks, who also had the game literally lost: a triplet by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will be all star This season, if nothing strange happens, he put an apparently decisive 126-125 six tenths from the end. But the Bucks took the last play very seriously: baseline kick looking over Brook Lopez, and Dort’s personal foul two-tenths from the buzzer. The pivot only scored a free throw, and it was played a second extension in which the Thunder (2/9 in shots) were already exhausted.
Jevon Carter, point guard with a defensive specialist role, appeared to lead the Bucks: 36 points, 12 assists. Brook Lopez added 24 points and 13 rebounds, Portis 13+9, Grayson Allen 18 and the rookie Marjon Beauchamp 19 with 8 rebounds and 5 triples. And all the points from him in the second part. In the Thunders, other Show of the wonderful Shai: 39 points, 13/25 shooting. And the great numbers which are already common for Giddey: 18+15 rebounds+6 assists. A very fun match.
RAPTORS 116 – ROCKETS 109
Without the injured Pascal Siakam, any victory that goes to the bag is important for the Raptors, even if it is dull like this against the Rockets (116-109), who are the worst team in the NBA (2-10) but they stood up in Canada, on a very difficult track. But in the end, their inexperience and their collective shortcomings weighed heavily: 16 losses from which the Raptors squeezed 31 points, 10 in the last quarter.
the rest put a Fred VanVleet who went further (32 points, 7/16 triples), in front and well supported by OG Anunoby (27+10), Scottie Barnes (13+8+5 assists) and an Otto Porter (14+6) who is picking up pace. Juancho Hernangómez is still without minutes. On the Rockets, Usman Garuba played 14 games in which he contributed 4 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Jabari Smith Jr played well (15+10) and Jalen Green was fine in the shot (21+6+6). Sengun contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds for a Rockets that are still far from everything, in a long reconstruction. The Raptors (7-5) are in the noble block from the east.
CELTICS 128 – PISTONS 112
A new victory for the Celtics puts them already with eight wins in the Eastern Conference. An evening in which the Pistons, who suffer otherwise, had no option to get their hands on the NBA runner-up last season. Tatum (31) and Brown (30) were the most prominent, yes, but the news was in another player. Sam Hauser, with 6/12 triples for 24 points, had the leading role in Boston, coming off as a substitute and contributing important actions. In the visiting defeat, the horrifying performance of point guard Cade Cunningham had a lot to do with it: 1/11 in field goals.
KINGS 127 – CAVALIERS 120
For the Cavaliers it is the second loss in a row in California, after that of the Clippers, and against a Kings that are not the quintessence. Those from Cleveland have left two important points for the locker. This Wednesday they had Mitchell (38), LeVert (21), Allen (20) and Mobley (17) in good shape and this victory was not enough for them to fight until the end. Seven of the nine players used by Mike Brown finished in double figures.
BULLS 111 – PELICANS 115
In Chicago, the Pelicans shot very poorly but won thanks to a tremendous finish by Brandon Ingram: 18 of his 22 points in the second half, seven seconds in the decisive moments with a triple to turn the score around. Read the chronicle.
SPURS 122 – GRIZZLIES 124
The Memphis Grizzlies are also advancing, albeit stumbled. After a painful loss against the Celtics they saved their skin with many problems against San Antonio. Read the chronicle.
HORNETS 95 – BLAZERS 105
Another very good looking in the West, Portland Trail Blazers continue to accumulate good news: 4-1 so far in a difficult six-game road trip that goes very well. Read the chronicle.
PACERS 119 – NUGGETS 122
Denver Nuggets is another of the Western heavyweights who are responding at the start of the season. In Indianapolis they carried out a very complicated match. Read the chronicle.
TIMBERWOLVES 117 – SUNS 129
For now, the Timberwolves are a disaster, one of the disappointments of the season, and Chris Finch will already have, or so it should be assumed, the seat very hot. Read the chronicle.
CLIPPERS 114 – LAKERS 101
Defeat of the Lakers in the derby against the Clippers and recurring physical problems of LeBron James despite starring in a very good performance. Read the chronicle.
HAWKS 119 – JAZZ 125
Another exceptional victory for the Jazz who were aiming for tanking but are the first team to reach ten wins in the entire NBA. Read the chronicle.
MAGIC 94 – MAVERICKS 87
Horrendous game for the Mavericks, unable to score smoothly in Orlando, where they crashed against a Magic without Paolo Banchero. Read the chronicle.