Another big night in the NBA, with six games played for the regular season 2022-2023. As always, there was no shortage of great plays by the champions who play in the most famous basketball league in the world. So let’s make a brief summary of what happened across the Atlantic Ocean.
In the match played at 19:00 Italian time yesterday, Sunday February 5, the Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets at home 113-119. The landlords start strong (37-28), with Orlando reacting promptly in the second fraction and putting the arrow in before the long interval (58-62). In the third quarter the guests remain in front (85-90), with Charlotte who tries to put the Magic in difficulty in the final quarter but gives up six lengths at the final siren (113-119). Double double for our Paolo Banchero with 22 points and 10 rebounds (and 5 assists) in 34′ on the court, equal to Wendell Carter Jr. (20 points and 12 rebounds). The 33 points and 8 rebounds of a never tame LaMelo Ball are not enough for the Hornets, with Terry Rozier finishing with 24 points.
Away victory also for the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Indiana Pacers 103-122 in the other match played in the late Italian evening of Sunday 5 February. After a balanced first quarter (25-27), the Ohio franchise raises its engine revs in the following fraction up to +16 with which it goes to half-game rest (46-62). In the second half, the hosts try to fill the gap but still remain under the third siren (84-98), with Cleveland retouching the maximum advantage to +26 (92-118) and managing the margin until the end of the match (103 -122). Darius Garland leads his team with 24 points, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen both sign a double-double (17 points and 10 rebounds the first, 18 points and 13 rebounds the second). For the Pacers, however, 27 points and 10 rebounds by Myles Turner and 16 points by Buddy Hield.
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Moving on to the challenges staged beyond Italian midnight today, Monday 6 February, the New York Knicks enforce home court at the Madison Square Garden prevailing over the Philadelphia 76ers 108-97. It is the guests who take the first advantage (24-35), with New York closing in the second set, remaining within 2 minutes after 24′ of play (51-53). In the third quarter, the 76ers still maintain a small advantage (76-79), but the Knicks don’t give up and make the decisive pass in the final minutes up to +11 (108-97) with which the home crowd can cheer. Julius Randle nearly triple-double with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, while Jalen Brunson finishes with 21 points on the scoresheet. 14 rebounds (and 7 points) for Isaiah Hartenstein, while for Philadelphia double doubles by Joel Embiid (31 points and 14 assists) and James Harden (12 points and 12 assists).
Outside blitz of the Toronto Raptors on the Memphis Grizzlies for 103-106. The hosts go in front of the first siren (31-28), keeping a full possession lead even at the end of the second quarter (62-59). In the third quarter, the Grizzlies manage the margin without showing Toronto (86-78), with the Raptors going all out in the final run, winning the match 103-106 in the sprint. 19 points for Pascal Siakam and double-double for Chris Boucher (17 points and 10 rebounds) among the Canadians, while for Mepmphis 26 points by Desmond Bane) and 18 by Jaren Jackson Jr.
Home success for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets for 128-98. The hosts engage high gear right from the start (32-21), closing the second quarter up by twenty lengths (63-43). In the third quarter Minnesota does not grant the right to reply to the opponents, maintaining the +23 (94-71) at the third siren. In the final fraction, the Nuggets crash, sinking even to -34 (121-87) and thus giving in to the Minnesota who show their muscles by winning the match 128-98. 20 points for Anthony Edwards and double double (18 points and 10 assists) for D’Angelo Russell for the Timberwolves, while Michael Porter Jr. is the best in Denver – orphaned by Nikola Jokic – with 22 points on the scoresheet.
In the last game scheduled tonight the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 136-104. The Pelicans reach the double-digit lead already in the first quarter (34-24), then increasing the margin in the following fraction up to +18 with which both teams go to the locker room for thehalf-time. In the second half, New Orleans continues to push on the accelerator leaving the Californians literally at the post (102-72), with Sacramento unable to contain the offensive of the hosts who can rejoice at the final siren for the clear victory with a score of 136 -104. Trey Murphy III takes the cover with 30 points scored, along with 24 points by an always effective CJ McCollum. For the Kings, however, 16 points by Malik Monk and double double by Domantas Sabonis (12 points and 11 rebounds).
THE RESULTS OF THE NBA NIGHT
Charlotte Hornets-Orlando Magic 113-119 (played on Sunday February 5th)
Indiana Pacers-Cleveland Cavaliers 103-122 (played on Sunday February 5th)
New York Knicks-Philadelphia 76ers 108-97
Memphis Grizzlies-Toronto Raptors 103-106
Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets 128-98
New Orleans Pelicans-Sacramento Kings 136-104
Photo: LaPresse
