NBA – January 3 results: Donovan Mitchell scores 71 points. Wins for the Lakers and the Nets

Another great night for the 2022-2023 NBA, with eleven games played in the night for the regular season. As always, there was no lack of great emotions from the champions who play in the top US basketball league. In the only match played in yesterday’s Italian evening, Monday 2 January, i New York Knicks sconfiggono al Madison Square Garden i Phoenix Suns per 102-83. Game directed on the right tracks for the landlords already in the first quarter (23-11), with the ‘Big Apple’ franchise pressing on the accelerator and flying to +30 in the second fraction (54-24). In the second half, the Knicks continue to maintain an abundant margin over the Suns who are unable to return to the game: at the third siren, New York easily leads 79-58, managing the advantage until the final 102-83 with which they win the match. Double double for Julius Randle (28 points and 16 rebounds) and 24 points for Jalen Brunson among the hosts, while for the guests the top scorer is Deandre Ayton with 12 points.

Outside shot of the Los Angeles Lakers on the Charlotte Hornets for 121-115. After a balanced first quarter (21-22), the Californians rev up their engine in the second fraction and break through the double-digit lead up to +15 with which the first half closes (45-60). In the second half, the Lakers didn’t let go and continued to keep the Hornets at a distance (76-94) who, however, managed to partially limit the damage in the final quarter up to 115-121 with which they had to give in to the yellow-purples. LeBron James is once again the absolute protagonist, with a double-double of 43 points and 11 rebounds. Double double also for Thomas Bryant with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while for Charlotte there are 27 and 24 points scored respectively by Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball.

Need an overtime to the Cleveland Cavaliers to bend the resistance of the Chicago Bulls (145-134). Guests immediately ahead (27-34), with the Bulls increasing the margin up to +18 on the second siren (47-65). Angry reaction from the hosts in the third quarter (91-96), with the Cavaliers managing to impact the score at the fourth siren: 130-130, thus we go to the first overtime where the Ohio team makes fewer mistakes and wins by 145-134. Donovan Mitchell takes the cover with 71 points scored and 11 assists (along with 8 rebounds), while Jarrett Allen finishes with 21 points on the scoresheet. DeMar DeRozan’s 44 points and Zach LaVine’s 26 are not enough for the Bulls.

Home victory also for the Indiana Pacers against the Toronto Raptors for 122-114. It is the Canadians who take the first advantage (29-33), with the hosts who manage to overturn it in the second half (66-57). In the third quarter the challenge remains balanced, but at the third siren the Pacers are still ahead, albeit by only one point (91-90). In the final partial Indiana finds the decisive leap in the final minutes to put a safety margin on the opponents, thus going on to win with a score of 122-114. Top scorer is Bennedict Mathurin with 21 points, while Myles Turner finishes with a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds). For the Raptors, however, 32 points from Gary Trent Jr. and 26 from Pascal Siakam.

Home success also for the Philadelphia 76ers against the New Orleans Pelicans for 120-111. First quarter in favor of the hosts (33-25), who also manage the advantage in the following partial (57-52). In the third fraction the Pelicans manage to make up for it and close down by three lengths (84-81), but in the final quarter Phiadelphia finds a mini-break to even reach a double-digit lead (119-109) thus securing the success final for 120-111. Joel Embiid leads his team with a double-double of 42 points and 11 rebounds, along with 27 by James Harden. For the Pelicans, however, 26 points from Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum.

Clear affirmation of the Brooklyn Nets against the San Antonio Spurs for 139-103. The hosts engage high gears from the first quarter (37-25), literally taking off in the second fraction leaving no chance for the Texans to reply (74-47). In the third set, the Nets update the maximum advantage to +31 (104-73), however continuing to grind points up to +36 with which the Barclays Center crowd rejoices (139-103). Kyrie Irving is the best of him with 27 points, like Kevin Durant who scores a double-double (25 points and 11 assists). For the Spurs, however, 22 points from Keldon Johnson.

Dallas Mavericks win Texan derby by defeating Houston Rockets 111-106. Houston seems to have a better start in the first quarter (25-18), maintaining a double-digit lead in the following quarter (55-44). In the second half the guests react and manage to fill the gap up to -4 at the third siren (87-83), then making the decisive overtaking in the final fraction thus winning 106-111. Luka Doncic nearly triple-double with 39 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Chris Wood both score 21 points. Kevin Porter Jr.’s 25 points and Jalen Green’s 20 are not enough for the Rockets.

The Minnesota Timberwolves return to victory, beating the resistance of the Denver Nuggets 124-111. After a first quarter in perfect parity (23-23), the hosts put their heads ahead at the second siren (59-53). In the third quarter, the Timberwolves didn’t let go and remained in the lead in the score (90-85), increasing the tally up to +13 with which the match ended (124-111). Double double for Anthony Edwards with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while among the Nuggets the top scorer is Nikola Jokic with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Golden State Warriors struggle until the second overtime to bend the resistance of the never-dominant Atlanta Hawks (141-139). First quarter in favor of the Californians (38-26), with Golden State continuing to maintain a good margin also in the second quarter (70-53). In the second half the Hawks recompose and impact the score at the third siren (95-95), calling everything into question again after 48′: 121-121, everything will be decided in extra time. In the first overtime the balance still prevails (133-133), so a second overtime becomes necessary where the Warriors place the decisive paw to take the match home after 58′ of authentic battle. Klay Thompson takes the team on his shoulders and scores 54 points, with 28 points from Jordan Poole and double doubles from Draymond Green (13 rebounds and 11 assists) and Kevon Looney (15 points and 20 rebounds). For the Hawks, however, 30 points and 14 assists by Trae Young and 25 points (with 13 rebounds) by John Collins.

The Portland Trail Blazers also beat the Detroit Pistons 135-106 at home. However, it is the guests who put the arrow first (22-27), with Portland who however manages to react in the second half by moving in front of the half-game break (61-52). In the second half, the Oregon franchise manages to find fluidity in the game and runs away in the score (102-82), with Detroit unable to stay in contact and giving way until 135-106 with which the Trail Blazers win the match . Jerami Grant scores 36 points, with Damian Lillard finishing with a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists. Top scorer for the Pistons is Bojan Bogdanovic with 21 points.

In the match that closed the long NBA night, the Miami Heat conquered the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles by beating the Clippers 110-100. The guests start better in the first quarter (28-34), increasing the margin in the second half up to +21 (46-67): after 24′ Miami leads 49-67. In the third fraction, however, the Clippers manage to return by making the counter-overtake at the third siren (83-81), but the Heat do not break down and return to the front again in the final partial up to the final double-digit advantage with which they blow up the home court factor (100-110). Bam Adebayo leads his team with a double-double of 31 points and 13 rebounds, while for the Californians the top scorer is Paul George with 25 points.