Pistons 103 – Hornets 113
The Charlotte Hornets win their seventh game in the last ten played (only the Bucks and Knicks have a better record in the East in that period of time) and remain like an islet in fourth place from the bottom of the league, the first they have less percentage of options to get the number 1 in the lottery of the draft. That missed opportunity is not going to happen to their rival tonight, a Detroit Pintons who have lost ten straight and have the worst record in the league, even below the Houston Rockets. Kelly Oubre, who is averaging 20.8 points in the eight games he has played since returning from injury, was once again the standout in attack with 27 points. Terry Rozier also shone with 21 and 9 assists.
Pacers 134 – Rockets 125
Impressive moment of form in which Tyrese Haliburton is, who is already without any doubt the great star of the Indiana Pacers. The point guard scored 28 points and distributed a whopping 19 assists (personal record) to win overtime against the Houston Rockets. Buddy Hield hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime at 117, and Haliburton scored 12 straight points from there. In the last three games for the Pacers, he has 98 points and 46 basket passes. Garuba was left without scoring and grabbed 5 rebounds in the 10 minutes he was on the court.
Magic 124 – Jazz 131
The Utah Jazz recover their pulse after four consecutive losses that had knocked them out of positions play-in. With tonight’s victory they are half a game away from tenth place. Those of Salt Lake City had to sweat to take the victory of Orlando. They needed the best Markkanen (31 points) and a great version of Horton-Tucker (23) and Fontechio (17). Also from rookie Walker Kressler, who got a vital 2+1 with 35 seconds to go, when the Magic were 1 point behind. At the locals, Paolo Banchero scored 13 of his 26 goals in the last quarter, but it was not enough to achieve victory.
Grizzlies 131 – Warriors 110
Eighth straight road loss for the champions in their first visit to Memphis after last year’s heated semifinal series. Green and Brooks have their ups and downs. Read the chronicle here.
Bucks 118 – Nets 113
Brook Lopez, one of the most underrated players in the league, took over the Bucks in Antetokounmpo’s absence with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 9 blocks! It is the center’s personal record and the most blocked shots by any player this season. Bobby Portis, who has just been recovered, was also outstanding: 28 goals and 13 rebounds. The Nets entered the game with five more than sensitive casualties: Claxton, Dinwiddie, Johnson, O’Neal and Simmons. This caused an unprecedented event. The visiting bench scored 98 goals. Never before has the substitute unit of any team scored such a number of points in a match since these data were recorded, in the 70-71 season.
Kings 122 – Knicks 117
The Kings maintain second place in the West, the first time they have held that position since the 2003-04 season. Domantas Sabonis, who closed the match with two free throws with 6 seconds remaining, achieved his ninth triple-double of the course (24+13+10). De’Aaron Fox, the most decisive player this year in the closing minutes, scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. The Knicks missed Jalen Brunson again.
