poster of the night: Toronto – Brooklyn
We no longer stop the Nets! After a difficult start to the season (2 wins – 3 losses), Brooklyn has chained a fifth victory, on the floor of Toronto (103-116). Despite the return of Pascal Siakam after missing ten games due to a shoulder injury, the Raptors could not do anything in the second half against the Nets led by a Kevin Durant on fire, author of 31 points (11 of 18 on shots), 7 rebounds and 7 assists. A nice nod of fate for the one who had seriously injured his knee during his last visit to Toronto, during the 2019 Finals with Golden State. James Harden added 28 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in the game where Brooklyn was down seven points at the break, before posting an impressive 35-17 in the third quarter. On the Raptors side, Siakam was able to play 25 minutes and scored 15 points, while Fred VanVleet scored 21 points and delivered 8 assists, during this game where Toronto signed its worst three-point record of the season (7 out of 25) .
MVP of the night: Bradley Beal
This is not great form for the defending champion, who conceded his fourth defeat in five games, this Sunday in Washington (101-94). The Bucks, still deprived of Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez and despite a Giannis Antetokounmpo with 29 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists, suffered the law of the Wizards, which made the difference in the third quarter (33-19) before to win by seven points, thanks to a last three-point basket from Spencer Dinwiddie with twenty seconds remaining. But it is indeed Bradley Beal who carried the franchise of the capital, with 30 points (14 of 22 on shots), 5 rebounds and 8 assists on the clock, his second game of the season at at least 30 points. “I feel like I played a play-off match,” admitted the 28-year-old rear, also excellent in defense. He missed his first free throw of the season, however, after making the first 35, but that did not prevent the Wizards, who are third in the East, while Milwaukee is eleventh.
The flop of the night: Utah
The leader of the Western Conference was traveling to the penultimate place in the East, and this should not, a priori, be a problem for him. And yet, Utah has indeed fallen on the floor of Orlando: 107-100. The Jazz, beaten the day before in Miami, completely collapsed after having led by thirteen points at the end of the third quarter. At 8’36 left, the Salt Lake City franchise still led 91-83, but conceded a 9-0 in three minutes. Utah took the lead (98-96) at 2’39 from the buzzer, but two shots from Cole Anthony (33 points, his season record) and a three-point shot from RJ Hampton (his only one of the game) sealed the game. surprise victory of the Magic in the money-time. Utah registered only 8 3-pointers (missing 18 of the first 20 attempts), in the wake of a Donovan Mitchell 2 over 12 long distance, and who finished with 21 points, like Rudy Gobert. The Jazz therefore bowed for the second time in two days in Florida, and left the leading position in the West to Golden State, before receiving Atlanta.
Frenchman of the Night: Nicolas Batum
Fourth victory in a row for the Clippers, who continue to earn and rise in the ranking of the Western Conference (5th). The Californians outscored Charlotte 120-106 in a game where they waited the last five minutes to make a difference. The score was indeed 89-89 at the start of the last quarter, then the Hornets still led 102-101 at 5’28 from the buzzer, before conceding a 19-4 to finish! If Nicolas Batum has not played in the last few minutes, he still had time to score 16 points, to take 6 rebounds and to intercept 3 balls, and therefore to be the best Frenchman of the night.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Sunday, November 8, 2021
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers : 109-126
>>> Evan Fournier (NYK) stats: 29 minutes of play, 15 points (5/13 on shots including 2/7 at 3pts, 3/3 on free throws), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 lost ball
Orlando Magic – Utah Jazz : 107-100
>>> Stats by Rudy Gobert (UTA): 34 minutes of play, 21 points (7/9 on shots including 0 on 3pts, 7/8 on free throws), 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 4 blocks , 4 lost balls, 3 faults
Washington Wizards – Milwaukee Bucks : 101-94
>>> Joel Ayayi (WAS) did not play, by decision of the coach
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs: 99-94
>>> Stats by Théo Maledon (OKC): 7 minutes of play, 0 points (0/5 on shots including 0/4 at 3pts, 0 free throw shot), 1 assist
Los Angeles Clippers – Charlotte Hornets : 120-106
>>> Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 28 minutes of play, 16 points (6/11 on shots including 4/9 at 3pts, 0 free throw shot), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 against, 1 lost ball
Golden State Warriors – Houston Rockets : 120-107
Sacramento Kings – Indiana Pacers : 91-94
Toronto Raptors – Brooklyn Nets : 103-116
