Adaptation and patience are key words in Minnesota. The Timberwolves, entered another dimension this summer with the arrival of the French pivot Rudy Gobertclearly need time to learn how to make their new darling coexist with the other star of the franchise, also an interior, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Anything but simple as the former started the season in poor shape as he was hit by a virus which made him thinner, while the French international silver medalist at Euro 2022 was deprived of his team’s two previous matches because sick.
The reunion of the two scarecrows did not go as hoped: beyond the heavy defeat conceded at home against the Phoenix Suns (117-129), the two men made the game much more difficult to negotiate for theirs by committing three fouls each in the first quarter alone. Once the racket cleared and the defensive threat removed, the Suns broke away at the end of the first quarter (39-25, 12th) and were not taken back afterwards. Gobert, however, managed to validate his fourth double-double of the season (23 points, 11 rebounds), with an excellent 9 of 11 on the free throw line.
Hayes in sight for the Detroit Pistons
The painful start to the season Killian Hayes coming off the bench at the Detroit Pistons (2.9 points at 20% shooting in the first 11 games) took a little relief on the floor of the Boston Celtics, where the Mo-Town franchise bowed quite logically (112-128). The French leader split 16 points, 7 of 12 shooting, for two rebounds, an assist and an interception. This is the third best career mark for the former player of Cholet (his record is 26 points, established at the end of last season). To be confirmed Friday, at the New York Knicks ofEvan Fournieragain off the bench Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets (85-112 defeat), for 6 points, (2 of 7 shooting), 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 cumulative blocks.
Used 16 minutes by the Los Angeles Clippers, winners of the Lakers (114-101), Nicolas Batum scored 2 points from the free throw line for 6 rebounds and an assist. Available, Frank Ntilikina remained glued to the Dallas bench, beaten in Orlando (87-94) whileOusmane Dieng was in the G-League while Oklahoma City lost narrowly at home against Milwaukee (132-136, a.2p.).
