The Lakers have won against the Cavaliers – despite their own error festival over long stretches of the game. LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are there in the crucial phase, while James Harden is back at the Nets. The Raptors tremble against Franz Wagner and the Magic cross the finish line, Miami and Portland win.
Toronto Raptors (3-3) – Orlando Magic (1-5) 110:109 (BOXSCORE)
- In the first half, the Raptors fans celebrated their rookie Scottie Barnes, in the final section Fred VanVleet and OG Anuoby caught fire – before Toronto almost gave up the victory they believed to be certain. For the most important play of the evening, however, Gary Trent Jr. was there.
- For the first 36 minutes, the two young teams had a balanced affair, then the home side took over command. Anunoby (10 out of 16 points in the fourth quarter), fired a 13-0 run with several three-pointers that took Toronto away. VanVleet (16 out of 19 points in the fourth quarter) followed suit and Toronto stood at +12 with two minutes to go and close to victory.
- But there was nothing to lean back. A four-point game by Jalen Suggs and a clutch three-pointer by Franz Wagner were the highlights of an 11-0 Magic run, with a good 6 seconds before the end they even got the ball back with a chance of victory. But Trent Jr. (19) got his fingers on the leather, Cole Anthony was forced to take a half-court shot, which went wrong – Toronto just managed to escape the finish line.
- Barnes was the best point collector of his colors with 21 points and 9 rebounds, 19 points of which were already one at half time. The Canadian fans used this for “Scottie’s better!” Chants as a swipe at Suggs. Toronto decided in the draft 2021 in 4th position for Barnes, whose good buddy Suggs went to 5 in the Magic.
- The 20-year-old was also able to convince thanks to a good second half and made his best game so far in the NBA (21 points). Anthony came on 24 points, Wendell Carter Jr. on a double-double (17 and 12 rebounds), Wagner put on 10 points, but only hit 4/12 from the field. His brother Moritz was only used for 8 minutes and brought no points and only a rebound on the scoreboard.
Brooklyn Nets (3-3) – Indiana Pacers (1-5) 105:98 (BOXSCORE)
- James Harden can obviously still do it. After a mixed start to the season, “The Beard” made his best game so far in 2021/22 as the top scorer of the Nets (29). He was also not allowed to complain about the referees this time, Harden was on the free-throw line 19 times (16 hits). The other guarantors of success for the Nets were Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge.
- The start of the game was anything but made to measure for the home side, who fell behind by up to 16 points in the second quarter. The answer came in the form of a 23: 5 run, with Harden playing an important role with 13 points in the second run. After the break, however, Brooklyn failed to break away decisively.
- A weak shooting by the Nets (6/26 threesomes) as well as numerous turnover (18 for 23 direct Pacers points) kept Indiana in the game. “We have a lot of good shooters who just don’t score at the moment. These throws will go in at some point,” analyzed coach Steve Nash. It was not until an 8-0 run a good four minutes before the end that Brooklyn was finally on the road to victory.
- Aldridge contributed important actions, with his 21 points from the bench (17 in half two with a total of 10/16 FG, plus 8 rebounds) he broke the 20,000 point barrier as the 48th player in NBA history. Durant had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, but also 7 turnover – and according to the rules, he actually had for a ball thrown into the rows of spectators of the field must be referenced. On the Pacers side, Torrey Craig (28 and 11 rebounds, 9/16 FG, Career High) showed a strong performance, rookie Chris Duarte still had 19 points and Domantas Sabonis 16 points.
Miami Heat (4-1) – Charlotte Hornets (4-2) 114:99 (BOXSCORE)
- The duel of the league’s best offense in terms of points scored against the league’s best defense in terms of permitted points went to the heat defense – and that in the first half even more than clearly. A comeback attempt by the Hornets was no longer rewarded; behind a strong heat triumvirate, Miami secured their fourth win in their fifth game.
- The dominance under the boards (60:37 rebounds), good defense (CHA: 39 percent FG) and an initially hot Tyler Herro brought the home side a comfortable lead in the first half. Herro (13 points in the second quarter) shot Miami to a 26-point lead. This hole was ultimately too deep for Hornets who fought bravely after the break.
- Gordon Hayward (23, 5/8 threesome) and Miles Bridges (22 and 8 rebounds) sparked a new spark in Charlotte, which even brought the guests back to 6 points within striking distance after a few minutes in the fourth quarter. But they couldn’t get any closer, Miami responded with an ice-cold 7-0 run and then controlled the action again. LaMelo Ball got a used evening (6, 2/14 FG).
- Herro finished the game with 26 points (9/13 FG, plus 6 assists), the statisticians also held the same yield for Bam Adebayo (10/16 FG, 19 rebounds), who had a banner under the ceiling of the franchise for his Olympic gold medal. But the best man in the heat was Jimmy Butler, who convinced with efficient 32 counters (12/19 FG), 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
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