Golden State failed to achieve an 8th success in a row in Charlotte, unlike Phoenix who did so in Houston, Sunday in the NBA where Trae Young, 42 points, sounded the awakening of the Hawks, at the expense of Milwaukee, defending champion cottony.
This second loss of the season (106-102) was the result of a fourth quarter where the Hornets defense muzzled the Warriors’ attack (27% success). As a symbol, Stephen Curry only put one basket on eight attempts (in the end 24 pts, 7/22 on shots, 10 assists), while Andrew Wiggins, yet in verve (28 pts, 12/19) did not know how to weigh in the money-time. Charlotte can thank Terry Rozier, ghostly in the first period and then sparkling with 20 points scored, taking over from Miles Bridges (22 pts, 8 rebounds) and LaMelo Ball (21 pts, 7 rebounds, 5 assists). With this 3rd win in a row, the Hornets (8-7) are 8th in the East. The Warriors (11-2) remain leaders in the West, followed by the Suns (9-4) who swept the Rockets (115-89), relying on Devin Booker (26 pts) and JaVale McGee (19 pts, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks). Applied, solid and still as well balanced, the finalist team of the last season shows that it remains impervious to the shocks born of the allegations of racism and sexism, aimed at its owner.
Just behind tip Denver (9-4) who crushed Portland (124-95), the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic showing off the talent we know him (28 pts, 9 assists, 9 rebounds). In Los Angeles, 48 hours after the humiliating defeat conceded against Minnesota at Staples Center, the Lakers recovered against San Antonio (114-106) to remain 7th (8-6).
Brooklyn and Chicago win out
In the absence of LeBron James for the sixth consecutive game (abs), Anthony Davis (34 pts, 14/24 on shots, 15 rebounds) guided the Californians. “I wanted to dominate the game and move the team forward. This is the type of effort that all of us, bench players, star players, shadow players, must make.He called. Russell Westbrook was as usual multi-card (14 pts, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 lost balls) and Talen Horton-Tucker, recovered from a broken thumb, started his season well (17 pts).
In the shock of the day in the East, between two struggling top names, Atlanta took revenge on Milwaukee (120-100), who had eliminated him in the last final of the Eastern Conference. She wears the seal of Trae Young, in verve behind the arc (8/13) and active on all fronts (10 assists, 8 rebounds), well helped by John Collins (19 pts, 6 rebounds) in a one-way match unique. On the Bucks side, the defections of Khris Middleton (Covid-19) and Brook Lopez (back) were still felt, despite the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo (26 pts, 6 assists), who trailed an ankle pain. Atlanta, which ends a six-game losing streak, remains 13th (5-9), behind the Bucks 11th (6-8).
Much higher up, Brooklyn consolidated 2nd place by walking on Oklahoma City (120-87), where Kevin Durant, who played eight seasons for the Thunder, was still dominant (33 pts, 8 rebounds), despite a shoulder painful right. At his side, Patty Mills feasted behind the arc by beating his personal best (9/12, 29 pts), and James Harden controlled (16 pts, 13 assists). The Nets are ahead of Chicago (3rd), winner with the Clippers (100-90), carried by DeMar DeRozan (33 pts, 11/15, 8 rebounds) and Zach LaVine (29 pts, 7 rebounds). LA side, Paul George (27 pts, 11 rebounds) was not enough and Nicolas Batum (5 pts, 7 rebounds) remained discreet.
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