Killian Hayes is gaining momentum a few days before flying out for the relocated NBA match in Paris between Detroit and Chicago next Tuesday. The leader trained in Cholet tied his career high with 26 points (11 of 17 shooting) and 6 assists against Philadelphia (123-111). Aggressive from the start with an award-winning basket to open the Pistons’ counter, Hayes was also active in defense with three interceptions, the first on a pass intended for James Harden and concluded on the counterattack.
Defended by Tyrese Maxey, his colleague from the 2020 draft, Hayes also shone in the third quarter with two new long-distance arrows, to maintain the gap under 20 points (82-96, 35th). For his third NBA season, the native of Lakeland (Florida) is now running at 9.3 points and 5.5 assists. Over the last five games (interspersed with a suspension for his altercation with Mo Wagner), his averages climb to 15.2 points (45.3% shooting) and 7.8 assists.
Valuable Gobert at the end of the match
Rudy Gobert finished in double-double in Minnesota’s victory over Houston (104-96). The pivot scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He played the entire fourth quarter and guided one of Minnesota’s best defensive streaks of the season with just 15 points conceded in 12 minutes to topple the Rockets. In attack, he also weighed with eight points over the period: a lay-up and three dunks, including two on offensive rebound.
96
Against Houston, Minnesota signed its best defensive performance of the season with 96 points against. It’s only the second time this season that Wolves haven’t conceded more than 100 points.
At last, Frank Ntilikina played 12 minutes in Dallas’ loss to Oklahoma City (109-120), without Luka Doncic (left ankle). After three zero-point outings, the former New York point guard finished with six points (2 of 2 shooting) on the clock and two interceptions.
