NBA – Paul George can’t unlock Clippers, Bulls reap

The match: Paul George helpless against the Memphis collective

Two matches, two losses…. Deprived for still very long months of Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers do not make it this season. And yet, Paul George struggled to finish with 41 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. But despite the first game at this height in the scoring of PG-13 since 2019 in the regular season, the Californians still bit the dust, beaten for the second time by Memphis (120-114).

Dominated Thursday at the opening by the Golden State Warriors and the talent of Steph Curry (115-113), this time they suffered the law of the Grizzlies, who were able to rely on their collective. Memphis finished with his five players from five to 17 points or more! And in the lot, it is of course Ja Morant who made the show. Already hot to start the season (37 pts against Cleveland), the leader planted 28 points and delivered 8 assists to guide his franchise to his second victory in two matches.

The stat: 0 out of 11 and then Lillard is unlocked

The Phoenix Suns had played the Lakers the day before. And it felt even if Devin Booker took his head a little out of the water (21 pts)… In Portland, the finalists of the last season fell heavily (134-105) and were never really in the shot like Chris Paul (4 pts but 11 pds). But if CJ McCollum (28 pts) took matters into his own hands to allow the Blazers to sign their first victory of the season, the info of this meeting is elsewhere: Damian Lillard, who did not have to pull out all the stops (19 pts at 2 of 7 at three points), took the opportunity to register his first three points of the season after missing his first 11 attempts!

The perf to remember: Herro is hot

Tyler Herro definitely ate lion this summer. Already huge against the Bucks (27 pts in 24 minutes), the back has put it back. He planted 30 points and took 10 rebounds off the bench in Indiana. A historic performance for a Miami player even if he could not prevent the Heat in overtime (102-91).

The other perf to remember: The perfect start of the Bulls

We knew the Chicago Bulls got stronger this summer. But here, we know what to expect. Saturday, they signed at home a third success in as many games against the Detroit Pistons (97-82)! DeMar DeRozan (21 pts, 6 rebounds, 6 wt) and Nikola Vucevic (15 pts, 19 rebounds) took matters into their own hands while Lonzo Ball (13 pts) and Zach Lavine (14 pts) were more discreet. Eleventh in the Eastern Conference last year at the end of the regular season, the Bulls had already won Thursday on the floor of the Pistons (94-88) then had the best Friday on New Orleans (128- 112).

The rookie who already has everything of a great: Evan Mobley

Evan Mobley definitely has talent in his hands. Already the author of two interesting first outings to launch his adventure in the big league, the number 3 of the last draft showed his qualities against the Hawks. Yet opposed to Clint Capela, the pivot finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks to guide the Cavs to their first victory (101-95) in the wake of Ricky Rubio (23 pts, 8 wt).

The reaction: Doncic and the Mavs erase 14 points

Dallas had fallen on its first outing. The Mavs were mostly 14 points behind against Toronto. But on the floor of the Raptors, they were able to rectify the situation to unlock their victory counter this season (95-103). Luka Doncic, who came close to the triple double (27 points, 9 rebounds and 12 assists), is obviously no stranger to it, as are Tim Hardaway Jr (25 pts) and Kristaps Porzingis (18 pts, 10 rebounds).

The French

In the five of Detroit, Killian Hayes did not weigh against the Bulls (2 pts, 1 rebound, 3 wt in 19 minutes). If Nicolas Batum is still absent for the Clippers, Frank Ntilikina did not come into play during the success of Dallas in Toronto just like Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot with the Hawks against Cleveland.

THE NIGHT’S RESULTS

• LA Clippers – Memphis : 114-120
• San Antonio – Milwaukee : 111-121
• Toronto – Dallas : 95-103
• Portland – Phoenix 134-105
• Chicago – Detroit : 97-82
• Minnesota – New Orleans: 96-89
• Indiana – Miami : 102-91 (a. p.)
• Cleveland – Atlanta : 101-95