Harden scores first, Lakers lose derby again

The results of the night in the NBA

Raptors @ Hornets : 93-125
Thunder @ Pacers: 129-125, after overtime
Rockets @ Magic : 111-119
Spurs @ Wizards: 157-153, after two overtimes
Heat @ Knicks : 115-100
Sixers @ Wolves : 133-102
Pelicans @ Suns : 117-102
Mavs @ Jazz : 109-114
Clippers @ Lakers : 105-102

The angry questions for the end of the NBA season

– The highly anticipated debut of James Harden with Philadelphia went like a dream. The test was interesting against a very in-form Minnesota team and the Sixers passed it successfully. Harden and Joel Embiid combined beautifully in this completely one-sided match.

The two new friends had a field day. Harden compiled 27 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds, often finding Embiid, author of 34 points and 10 rebounds.

“I have never found myself so free on the pitch”, greeted the Cameroonian after this promising start during which James Harden scored 5 award-winning baskets.

The. Beard.

27 PTS (7-12 FGM) | 8 REB | 12 AST | 5x 3PM

James Harden scores 27 PTS on his debut with the @sixersa 133-102 win over Wolves pic.twitter.com/DvfWkWbqh4

— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) February 26, 2022

– The Lakers can’t beat the Clippers anymore. For the 6th time in a row, LeBron James and his teammates lost to their Los Angeles neighbors. Taken by Terance Mann (19 pts), Luke Kennard (18 pts) et Amir Coffey (12 of his 14 pts in the 4th QT), Tyronn Lue’s men overcame a missed 3rd quarter during which the Lakers regained the lead.

Unfortunately for the Purple and Gold, they did not go the distance afterwards and lacked skill and composure in the money time. LeBron (21 pts, 11 rebounds) missed one last shot to equalize at the buzzer, just after a shot also missed by Carmelo Anthony (18 pts).

Incumbent, Nicholas Batum played 19 minutes in an individually forgettable night.

The Clippers (8th) have one victory more than the Lakers (9th), beaten for the 4th time in 5 matches, in the standings, while the two teams should participate in the play-in tournament if things remain as they are.

– The most prolific game of the NBA season was played last night in Washington, when the Spurs came. San Antonio needed two overtimes to win in a game where the defenses were in All-Star Game mode. Dejounte Murray still pulled out of the game despite two missed game winners in the 4th quarter and at the end of the first overtime.

The freshly All-Star point guard was still the most impactful player of the game with a triple-double (31 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds), while his comrades Keldon Johnson (32 points) and Jakob Poeltl (28 pts) both had their best career performance in scoring. Kyle Kuzma matched his best total of the season with 36 points.

– The Knicks failed to take full advantage of RJ Barrett’s huge game tonight. During the reception of Miami, the Canadian slammed 46 points (his NBA record) and 9 rebounds, without managing to lead the others in his wake. The 4th quarter was a nightmare for New York, which only scored 15 points. Opposite, Tyler Herro (25 pts), Jimmy Butler (23 pts), Bam Adebayo (16 pts, 16 rebounds) and Kyle Lowry (19 pts) did most of the work.

Evan Fournier scored 13 points at 5/16.

– CJ McCollum is fine-tuning its agreement with Brandon Ingram and it is promising. The Pelicans surprised the Suns, deprived of Chris Paul, thanks to the 50 points accumulated by the tandem of New Orleans, in Phoenix.

– Dominated in the first period by Dallas, the Jazz showed a familiar face in the second half, like the solidity displayed last season. Donovan Mitchell (33 pts, including 7 3-point baskets, personal best) and Rudy Gobert (14 pts, 17 rbds and 3 ctres) were decisive and full of composure.

✌

. .

14 PTS | 17 REB | 3 BLK #TakeNote | @utahjazz #NBASundays pic.twitter.com/4HEGcQ4P3I

— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) February 26, 2022

– The All-Star Game break was good for the Hornets. Charlotte disintegrated Toronto by up to 41 points, thanks to Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre (23 pts), but also at the double-double of Montrezl Harrell (20 pts, 10 rbds).

– Indiana led by 8 points before money time against OKC. It’s there that Three Mannin the thick of it, took matters into his own hands to guide the Thunder to overtime and then to victory, with the help, of course, of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (36 pts, 8 rbds, 5 pds).

Olivier Sarr played 24 minutes after signing his two-way contract and stood out with this nice dunk. Théo Maledon added 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for a great French night.

OLIVIER SARR FRIENDS pic.twitter.com/KIAbtz1CTa

— 50 Shades (@50ShadesOfNBA) February 26, 2022

– Orlando won the dunces game against Houston, with 26 points from Chuma Okeke and 24 from Wendell Carter.