That’s seven games on NBA night. Excellent performance by Paolo Banchero, who is a key player in the Orlando Magic’s 109-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The first overall pick finished with a double-double of 19 and 10 rebounds, with Orlando also trailing by Frantz Wagner’s 29 and Wendell Carter Jr.’s double-double by 20 and 10 rebounds. For Portland it is the fourth consecutive defeat and Damian Lillard’s 30 were not enough for the Blazers.
Steph Curry’s return doesn’t coincide with Golden State’s success. The Warriors star returned to the field after 11 missed games, but the defending champions were defeated 125-113 by the Phoenix Suns, led by Mikal Bridges’ 26 and a newfound Dario Saric with 19, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Curry finished with 24 and Klay Thompson’s 29 wasn’t enough for Golden State.
It was the big day of Donovan Mitchell’s return to Utah, but his 46 weren’t enough in Cleveland to overcome the Jazz, who won somewhat surprisingly 116-114 thanks to Jordan Clarkson’s 32 and the usual Lauri Markkanen with 25 and 16 rebounds. Reviewed the field Simone Fontecchio, who played for five minutes, without taking shots and with a rebound on the scoresheet.
Joel Embiid returns and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons again. The Cameroonian-born center signs a double-double of 36 and 11 rebounds in the clear success of the Sixers for 147-116, where the triple-double also stands out (the second consecutive and always against Detroit) signed by James Harden, who finishes with 16, 15 assists and 12 rebounds.
A free throw by Jimmy Butler with 12 seconds left gives the Miami Heat the victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-111. The Heat star is decisive with his 35 and above all the play in the final that led him to find the equalizing basket with the free overtime for the victory. Josh Giddey’s triple double of 18, 15 rebounds and 10 assists was not enough for OKC.
Luka Doncic from 43 and 11 rebounds is not enough for the Dallas Mavericks, who are defeated 113-101 by the Los Angeles Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard’s 33. Closing great success of the Toronto Raptors, who beat the Charlotte Hornets 132-120 with 28 by Pascal Siakam and 24 by Gary Trent Jr.
NBA RESULTS 2022-2023 (JANUARY 11)
Philadelphia 76ers – Detroit Pistons 147-116
Miami Heat – Oklahoma City Thunder 112-111
Toronto Raptors – Charlotte Hornets 132-120
Utah Jazz – Cleveland Cavaliers 116-114
Golden State Warriors – Phoenix Suns 113-125
Portland Trail Blazers – Orlando Magic 106-109
Los Angeles Clippers – Dallas Mavericks 113-101
Photo: LaPresse
