Warriors ok without Curry, Nets save without Durant and … all the best of the night

The Phoenix Suns win their 11th consecutive game, beating the Dallas Mavericks at home (without Luka Doncic) with a brilliant Chris Paul. Important successes also for the Golden State Warriors (without Curry and Green) in Detroit and for Brooklyn (without Durant) at the Barclays Center against Orlando. Decisive Jordan Poole (32 points) and Andrew Wiggins (27 points) for the Dubs, James Harden with 36 points for the Nets. To the east, Zach LaVine’s (36 points) Bulls victories in Denver against the orphaned Nuggets of Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee, with a lot of effort, at the Fiserv Forum against Oklahoma City. Finally, the fourth success in a row for the Hornets, the surprising defeat of the Clippers in New Orleans and the home thud of the Sacramento Kings at the hands of the Toronto Raptors.

Phoenix Suns- Dallas Mavericks 112-104

The Phoenix Suns (12-3) conquer their 11th consecutive victory thanks to a spectacular 4th period (30-22) and a monstrous performance by Chris Paul, in the “Point God” version with 18 points, 14 assists and 3 steals in 34 ‘on the parquet. Dallas (9-6) played without Luka Doncic but did not lack quality and competitive ardor in his basketball, not shirking in any way from the continuous question and answer carried out throughout the match with the NBA runners-up. The Texans’ top scorer was Kristaps Porzingis with 23 points and 12 rebounds, backed by Jalen Brunson (18 points and 10 assists) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (18 points), both cold in the three-point shot (3/14 combined). The key moment was certainly the last quarter, when the Suns changed gears in attack and exponentially elevated their game, propelled by the intelligence and class of CP3 and by a much more solid and overflowing defense. To sign this historic success in Phoenix and the longest streak of victories since the 2006/2007 season also the 19 points each by Mikal Bridges (7/7 shooting) and Devin Booker, without forgetting the 17 rebounds captured by Deandre Ayton.

Phoenix:Booker 19 (7/20, 3/8 of three, 2/2 tl), Bridges 19, Paul 18. Rebounds: Ayton 17. Assists: Paul 14.

Dallas: Porzingis 23 (8/13, 3/6 da tre, 4/4 tl), Brunson 18, Hardaway Jr. 18. Rimbalzi: Porzingis 12. Assist: Brunson 10.

Denver Nuggets- Chicago Bulls 108-114

The Chicago Bulls (11-5) take advantage of the absence of reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, kept out by coach Michael Malone for a problem in his right wrist, to overcome the obstacle Nuggets (9-7) and thus find a very important success outside, the sixth of the season away from the Windy City. The absolute protagonist of the race was Zach LaVine, simply devastating in the 4th period with 12 of his 36 final points. The quality, athleticism, and depth of the Renton, Washington native’s attacking moves are formidable. Chicago was always ahead in the 2nd half but needed to tap into all its offensive potential to fend off the hunger and desire of the Nuggets, not at all limited in their mental attitude by the absence of their technical leader. The Bulls found 26 points and an invaluable 12/12 from the line from DeMar DeRozan, as well as a substantial contribution from their own bench with Derrick Jones Jr. (16 points and 8 rebounds), Ayo Dosunmu (10 points and 8 rebounds) and Javonte Green (+20 plus / minus). Denver still comes out with a very high head. Coach Malone’s team has always remained in the game with method and organization and, perhaps, deserved a different ending.

Denver:Gordon 28 (10/12, 1/2 of three, 7/9 tl), Barton 23, Campazzo 16. Rebounds: Dozier 10. Assists: Morris 5.

Chicago:LaVine 36 (14/24, 4/9 da tre, 4/4 tl), DeRozan 26, Jones Jr. 16. Rimbalzi: Green 9. Assist: Ball 6.

Detroit Pistons-Golden State Warriors 102-105

For Golden State it truly looks like a magical year. Perhaps the “good” one, even, for a team that has suddenly become ambitious again. The Warriors (14-2) consolidate the league’s best record by also winning in Detroit. What’s there to scream? You will ask. Foregone victory, on paper. Well, that’s not quite the case. In the sense that they were without the ailing Curry, Green, Porter and Iguodala, spared by Coach Kerr because the season is long. Yet, with, say, Payton in the quintet, the W has arrived anyway. Yet Wiggins and Poole, 32 points are his highest of the season, have been able to make the difference from offensive spare wheels, assisted by a good Bjelica from the bench. The Dubs start the 4th quarter ahead of 16 points and manage, even if out of breath, to “hold”, because Frank Jackson and Grant miss the triples to force extra time in the final seconds. Cunningham closes with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, injury to the right ankle for Stewart: the Pistons, already without Olynyk, lose another long.

Detroit:Jackson 27 (3/3, 5/12 from three, 6/6 tl), Cunningham / Grant 19. Rebounds: Cunningham 6. Assist: Cunningham 6.

Golden State:Poole 32 (9/14, 4/8 of three, 2/2 tl), Wiggins 27, Bjelica 14. Rebounds: Looney 12. Assist: Toscano-Anderson 9.

Brooklyn Nets-Orlando Magic 115-113

“What it takes to win”. The evening mantra of the Nets (12-5) James Johnson tells it well, at the seasonal maximum of points and rebounds, 17 and 10, in the sweaty success over the Magic (4-12). Because Kevin Durant was missing, bruised in the right shoulder. And without him it becomes more difficult for Brooklyn. Even against the mediocre Orlando, also ahead by 19 points in the 2nd quarter, and by 9 at half-time. Also because Harden returned to the first offensive terminal, argues with the basket, closing 7/25. But he stands in the line as he did in Houston, scoring 19 of his 20 free throws. Enough, for the painful victory of the evening because Cole Anthony from the line in the final, the magata fails to score the first and purposely miss the second by capturing the rebound. The free does not even touch the iron. Game over.

Brooklyn:Harden 36 (4/12, 3/13 da tre, 19/20 tl), Mills 22, Johnson 17. Rimbalzi: Johnson/Harden 10. Assist: Harden 8.

Orlando: Suggs 21 (4/9, 4/9 da tre, 1/2 tl), F. Wagner / Okeke 17. Rimbalzi: Hold 10. Assist: Anthony 9.

Milwaukee Bucks-Oklahoma City Thunder 96-89

The champions make a lot, too much effort, but they still end up bending the Thunder (6-9). Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 21 points and pulls 19 rebounds down, Milwaukee (8-8) leads throughout the game, but is looking for trouble when he brings OKC back from -20 to -2 at 82-84. But all is well what ends well for the guys of Coach Bud, still without Lopez: they send 6 players in double figures of points, in addition to the Greek Middleton, Holiday, Portis, Allen and Hill, and so they prevail even if they shoot with 37%. However, limiting the Thunders, who were without Coach Daigneault, expecting a child, to 35%: with 12/48 from 3 away you never win …

Milwaukee:G. Antetokounmpo 21 (6/12, 0/4 da tre, 9/11 tl), Portis 17, Middleton 16. Rimbalzi: G. Antetokounmpo 19. Assist: G. Antetokounmpo 7.

Oklahoma City:Gilgeous-Alexander 17 (3/8, 2/12 da tre, 5/7 tl), Giddey / Muscala 14. Rimbalzi: Giddey 12. Assist: Giddey / Williams 4.

Charlotte Hornets-Indiana Pacers 121-118

Fifth win in a row for the Hornets (10-7), yet another sprint lost for the Pacers (6-11). LaMelo Ball scores 32 points, his highest of the season, and Charlotte contains the comeback of the Pacers reserves, able to touch the company while taking over 25 points in the 3rd quarter. The various Lambs, Wanamaker, Craig, kept on the parquet by Coach Carlisle until the end, with the race at a distance of possession, are unable to try at least the triple to force the extra. The comeback remains unfinished.

Charlotte: Ball 32 (8/13, 4/9 of three, 4/4 tl), Hayward 25, Oubre 16. Rebounds: Ball 11. Assists: Ball 8.

Indiana:Lamb 23 (2/2, 4/7 da tre, 7/7 tl), Brogdon 16, Craig 14. Rimbalzi: Craig 7. Assist: Lamb 5.

New Orleans Pelicans-Los Angeles Clippers 94-81

The Pelicans (3-14) recovered from the -20 gained in the 1st half and surprisingly beat the Los Angeles Clippers (9-7) at home, conquering their 3rd success of the season. The trained Willie Green team took off in the 4th period thanks to a decisive 12-2 run favored by Brandon Ingram (17 points and 12 rebounds) and Jonas Valanciunas (26 points and 13 rebounds). Also crucial for the Pels are Josh Hart’s double double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, as well as the 16 points off the bench by Kira Lewis Jr .. A game to forget, however, for the Clippers with a Paul George (19 points) in difficulty especially in the 4th period (1/6 shooting).

New Orleans: Valanciunas 26 (10/19, 5/9 da tre, 1/2 tl), Hart 19, Ingram 17. Rimbalzi: Valanciunas 13. Assist: Ingram 5.

The Angels: George 19 (8/26, 3/14 from three), Batum 12, Mann / Hartenstein 11. Rebounds: Zubac 11. Assist: George 6.

Sacramento Kings-Toronto Raptors 89-108

Easy easy victory for the Toronto Raptors (8-9) in Sacramento with a constant and substantial advantage (also +30) gradually accrued from the 2nd quarter and maintained until the final siren. Never in the game the Kings, who have lost 6 of the last 7 games and seem unable to react to their moment of difficulty. The 32 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks performance of Pascal Siakam with 10/12 shooting, 3/3 from the arc and 9/10 from the line was decisive for Toronto. Great game also for Gary Trent Jr. with 23 points and 5/11 from three.

Sacramento:Fox 17 (8/13, 0/1 from three, 1/3 tl), Barnes 14, Hield / Metu 10. Rebounds: Metu 9. Assist: Mitchell 4.

Toronto: Siakam 32 (10/12, 3/3 of three, 9/10 tl), Trent Jr. 23, VanVleet 13. Rebounds: Boucher 12. Assists: VanVleet 6.