The results of the night in the NBA
Pacers @ Magic : 120-126
Nets @ Sixers : 133-137
Wizards @ Rockets : 108-103
Nuggets @ Bucks : 99-107
Wolves @ Pelicans : 111-102
Hawks @ Thunder : 137-102
Jazz @ Blazers : 124-134
Raptors @ Kings : 113-95
Grizzlies @ Warriors : 120-122
Spurs @ Lakers : 114-113
Podcast #74: Sacramento Kings, Revenge of the Unloved
– We’ve already seen a lot of crazy individual performances in the NBA this season. That of Damian Lillard Against the Jazz fits directly into the collection. The Portland point guard simply had the most efficient 60-point game in history, in the Blazers’ victory over the Jazz.
With 60 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds at 89% true-shooting and 9/15 from 3 points, “Dame” walked on water and on Utah’s hopes of coming and hitting Oregon. While Portland was at -12 at the end of the 1st quarter, Lillard took out the warm-up blue and launched into an unreal performance which we knew he was capable of and which his team needed.
There are now only two players who have made more 60-point games in the NBA than Damian Lillard (4): Wilt Chamberlain (32) and Kobe Bryant (6).
– The match between Golden State and Memphis kept its promises! The Warriors and the Grizzlies fought a fierce battle which was played out on the wire and made you want to see a series of playoffs between these two teams which frankly do not like each other. Jordan Poole is the hero of the evening, since it was he who delivered the Warriors on a paid drive 1 second from the end. Before that, we said to ourselves above all that he was going to take a lot in the locker room.
In the money time, his premature shot with 12 seconds to play and Stephen Curry alone next to him caused the Golden State superstar to burst a hose, ejected for swinging his mouth guard in rage.
Steph Curry ejected. ????
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 26, 2023
Behind, clutch baskets were chained between Ja Morant, Klay Thompson at 3 points and Brandon Clarke, but it was Poole who knew how to keep his cool.
JORDAN POOLE CALLED GAME
WARRIORS WIN.#NBARivalsWeek pic.twitter.com/K3DcglqJHr
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2023
– Ben Simmons (12 pts, 5 rbds, 5 pds) was back in Philadelphia and the public again did not spare him. The Australian was booed copiously every time he touched the ball. It was also the first reunion between Simmons and Embiid. They resulted in a 6th consecutive victory for Philadelphia, with a James Harden decisive, also against his former team.
Harden had two 3-pointers and a drive basket in the final 4 minutes of the game to secure the Sixers a win. Tyrese Maxey (27 pts) and Embiid (26 pts) contributed, to respond to Seth Curry (32 pts) and Kyrie Irving (30), orphans of Kevin Durant for a 7th game in a row.
It’s not trivial: Brooklyn lost by shooting 64%…
– We were still very afraid for Anthony Davis… The Lakers’ inside returned last night against San Antonio, but twisted their ankle on a shot from midfield, after Zach Collins’ interference earned him a flagrant. Davis was able to finish the game and help Los Angeles bounce back from the disappointment of the derby loss to the Clippers.
After 20 games away, “AD” was valuable from the outset by bringing 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks off the bench and in 26 minutes. LeBron James needed less to do wonders and settled for 20 points. It was in the 4th quarter that the Lakers created the gap and validated this success.
Anthony Davis stayed down on the floor for a few seconds holding his right foot after this play. It was ruled a flagrant foul on Zach Collins, AD hit all 3 FTs.pic.twitter.com/l5LWbtuswG
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) January 26, 2023
– We hoped to see an Antetetokounmpo-Jokic duel, between holders of the last 4 MVP trophies. Unfortunately, the Joker was at rest to avoid the back to back. Giannis and Milwaukee took advantage of it, not without having to work hard. The Greek Freak tipped the game in favor of the Bucks thanks to his offensive aggression and his ability to go on the line (15/22) to finish with 33 points and 14 rebounds.
Jamal Murray, “KCP” and “MPJ” were them on the flank and there are not really lessons to be learned from this version of the Nuggets.
– Kyle Kuzma has understood in recent days that the Wizards wanted to give him twice the keys to the franchise. He proved himself worthy of it by helping his team turn around a compromised situation in Houston. Kuzma scored 20 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, as the Rockets led by 10 points going into the final period. This is the 4th victory in a row for the group of Wes Unseld Jr.
– Wolves spoiled the return of Brandon Ingram, absent for two months. Minnesota, thanks to a big 3rd quarter, to 37 points fromAnthony Edwards and double-double of Rudy Gobert (17 pts, 12 rebounds) in particular, resumed its march forward. Ingram played 26 minutes for 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The Pelicans are on 6 losses in a row and are impatiently awaiting another comeback, that of Zion Williamson.
– Trae Young took a breath of fresh air from his home in Oklahoma to regain some 3-point confidence and clinch a victory with the Hawks. Against the Thunder, the All-Star leader had 33 points and 11 assists at 3/6 to 3 points, he who remained on a 1/17 in the exercise over the last 4 matches. It was necessary that to survive the 36 points of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Atlanta was still scared, Young the first, when Jalen Williams brought OKC to a point 15 seconds from the end after stealing the ball from Trae.
– Boiling in recent days, the Kings have stalled a bit at home when the Raptors came. Toronto looked like its best version, which hasn’t happened often this year, and was able to limit the NBA’s best offense under 100 points, while showing efficiency with Pascal Siakam (26 pts, 11 rebounds) in the lead. The Raptors are finally only one victory away from the top 10 and a place for the play-in…
– The Magic resisted the return of the Pacers in the last minutes to sign a second victory in a row. The duel between the two favorites for the title of Rookie of the Year turned in favor of Paolo Banchero (23 pts), even if Bennedict Mathurin (26 pts) got hot off the bench.
More information to come…
