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We can’t stop the New York Knicks, Nikola Jokic (Denver) in MVP mode

The series: the Knicks pass the fifth

Twelve days ago, was it possible to suspect that the New York Knicks would be, in mid-December, among the most fit teams in the league? To the point, Thursday morning, to ride a wave of five straight wins, which only the Memphis Grizzlies, second in the Western Conference, currently surpass (6 consecutive victories, current series).

After six defeats conceded in eight matches between November 19 and December 3, the Big Apple franchise has recovered brilliantly, gleaning some nice successes in passing, against Cleveland (92-81) in particular. Wednesday evening, the Chicago Bulls, whose worrying trajectory (11v-16d, 11th in the East), gave up at home after extra time (120-128, ap), after a very tight match and despite a higher overall address (54.8% versus 49.5% for visitors).

But the men of Tom Thibodeau, who continues to impose his strong choices without the services of Derrick Rose and Evan Fournier, were much more present on the rebound (15 offensive catches, 48 ​​to 31 under the panels) and are based on two men with 30 points: Jalen Brunson (30 points, 7 assists) and Julius Randle (31 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists). The latter had missed the opportunity to win after regulation time on a shot while moving back. The two teams will meet, again in Chicago, on Friday evening.

8

Winner of Atlanta at home (135-124), the Orlando Magic took care of its collective copy: 8 players with 11 points or more. Ideal when the Hawks had six players at 15 or more points.

The player: Jokic at the wand against the Wizards

An almost perfect match. Beyond the very logical victory of the Denver Nuggets at home against the Washington Wizards (141-128), Nikola Jokic made his most prolific copy of the season, at least on the offensive level. The Serbian pivot scored 43 points – a season high for the reigning two-time regular season MVP – and capitalized on a game without the slightest will to defend on the part of either team (and a decimated Wizards) to complete the evening with a charming 17 out of 20 in shooting (0 out of 2 at three points). Jokic added 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals to his performance, only 8 stray balls tarnished.

6

Narrowly beaten at home by the Sacramento Kings (123-124), the Toronto Raptors scored only 6 three-pointers (in 21 attempts, 28.6%). Their lowest total of the season tied.

The return: Lamelo Ball, rusty then upset

“It’s just a matter of legs and such, getting back into the swing of things. » Like his first long shots, which were mostly short, LaMelo Ball (21) needed some warm-up time for his return to competition. The second, after eleven matches on the sidelines. The Charlotte Hornets playmaker, injured in the ankle in preseason, had missed the first 13 games of his team, finding the infirmary after his third disputed meeting after stepping on the foot of a spectator.

In 34 minutes of play, Ball still finished with a double-double (23 points at 9 of 18 shooting including 5 of 13 at three points, 11 assists) but was sorely missed by his team, beaten in overtime (134- 141, ap), after committing his 6th foul before the end of regulation time. The bases are however (re) laid for the leader, who should continue Friday evening, against Atlanta.

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With nine award-winning baskets (out of 17) scored (35 points) or as many as the entire Oklahoma City team, Tyler Herro was the main architect of the Miami Heat’s narrow victory at the Thunder (110-108). The Floridians, with 24 three-pointers scored, broke the franchise record in the matter.

And also…

Damian Lillard (37 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists) carried the Portland Trail Blazers to victory at the San Antonio Spurs (128-112). Among the Dallas Mavericks lacking inspiration (39.2% shooting), the Cleveland Cavaliers recovered from their one-point defeat conceded in the previous game in San Antonio (111-112) with an easy victory (105 -90). Donovan Mitchell showed his advantage (34 points) at 13 of 20 shooting.

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