Washington Wizards – Toronto Raptors : 100-109
Poorly performing last season (12th in the East), he was not yet expected much good from Toronto, moreover without Pascal Siakam, who should play again in mid-November, and now without the excellent rookie Scottie Barnes (18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds), both injured. Yet the 2019 champions are boasting. On Wednesday, they went to Washington for their fifth straight success (100-109) with 33 points from Fred VanVleet, who did better than a Bradley Beal (25 points) not transcendent. “It’s the beauty of having a young team”, summarized VanVleet.
Philadephie Sixers – Chicago Bulls : 103-98
This top-of-the-table duel returned to the Sixers at home despite the absences of Tobias Harris (Covid-19), Danny Green (hamstrings) and of course Ben Simmons. Seth Curry scored the decisive goal ten seconds from time while playing a one-on-one with Alex Caruso, one of the toughest defensive backs in the NBA. “Give the credit to Curry, I think we did the right thing”, estimated Billy Donovan, the coach of the Bulls, still carried by the duo DeMar DeRozan (37 points) – Zach LaVine (27), which does not leave too much space to the pivot All-Star Nikola Vucevic (4 points to 2 / 7, but 10 rebounds and 6 assists).
Golden State Warriors – Charlotte Hornets : 114-92
After a good start, the Hornets faltered. LaMelo Ball and his teammates have just lost three of four games, the last in San Francisco by the biggest gap after stalling in the third quarter (three points scored between the 27th and 36th minutes). For the first time this season, the Warriors’ leading scorer, co-leaders in the Western Conference with the Utah Jazz, was not Stephen Curry (15 points) but the other starting fullback, Jordan Poole (31 points) .
Brooklyn Nets – Atlanta Hawks : 117-108
A priori it was a shock, a poster that we could find late in the season in the play-offs. But neither Brooklyn nor Atlanta have yet found their cruising speed, even if the former have three consecutive victories. As usual, Kevin Durant (32 points) showed the way to the Nets who shot 22/48 at 3 points. This match also confirmed the difficulties of James Harden (5/14 on shots) and Trae Young (6/22) to get used to the new arbitration, less favorable to the attackers riggers.
Memphis Grizzlies – Denver Nuggets : 108-106
Another duel between play-off teams, this time marked by intense suspense. Little-known Desmond Bane netted Memphis’ decisive goal with three points at 1’20 from the end while Nikola Jokic, well defended by Jaren Jackson Jr, missed the equalizer for Denver at the last second. Author of a cannonball start to the season, “Grizz” leader Ja Morant was a little more discreet than usual (18 points against 28.3 on average).
Cleveland Cavaliers – Portland TrailBlazers : 107-104
Cleveland could not line up as usual its triplet of holders more than 2.10 m since the Finn Lauri Markkanen is stopped by the Covid-19. This did not prevent the Cavs from winning, returning their record to a positive (5 v.-4 r.), Relying on their other two laps, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley (35 points and 28 rebounds at those two). Damian Lillard once again struggled (26 points but at 10/27).
Sacramento King – New Orleans Pelicans : 112-99
New Orleans, where Brandon Ingram (hip) joined Zion Williamson (foot) in the infirmary, is firmly attached to last place in the league. The Pelicans gave in the last ten minutes against the Kings far from the wrath of war, even if Tyrese Haliburton (20 points, 7 assists, 4 interceptions) pulls them up. “We have to take it to the next level. It’s being played now ”, urged the young leader, true leader of the team rather than De’Aaron Fox.
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