That’s seven games on NBA night. The best Simone Fontecchio of the season not enough for Utah to find the victory on the field of the Miami Heat. It ends 119-115 for Butler and his companions, but the blue offers an extraordinary performance, signing his career high with 23 points (11 in the first quarter alone and 20 at halftime) in 30 minutes of use on the field. In this final regular season Fontecchio is finding more and more space and is finding an important role off the bench for Utah. Jimmy Butler’s 24 points and Tyler Herro’s 18 were decisive for Miami, who tripled the pass less than a minute from the end. For Utah, in addition to Fontecchio, great performance by Lauri Markkanen with 38 points and 8 rebounds.
And Klay Thompson on fire in the first half (33 points of the final 38) leads the Golden State Warriors to victory over the Phoenix Suns, still without Kevin Durant, 123-112. The reigning champions put their success on ice already after a 43-21 first quarter and then administer the advantage with a 23-point Steph Curry. Devin Booker’s 38 points and Deandre Ayton with 27 points and 12 rebounds are not enough in Phoenix.
The Milwaukee Bucks consolidate their first place in the Eastern Conference thanks to the usually overwhelming Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek signs a double double of 46 points and 12 rebounds in the success against the Sacramento Kings for 133-124, to which we must however add Khris Middleton’s 31 and Brook Lopez’s 23. However, Sacramento proves to be an important team and keeps up with the Bucks with 35 points from De’Aaron Fox, 28 from Kevin Huerter and above all la decima tripla doppia stagionale di Domantas Sabonis (23 points, 17 rebounds and 15 assists).
Always remaining in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics fall by surprise, who lose 111-109 to the Houston Rockets, who regain victory after three consecutive defeats. A Houston led in the final by Jalen Green (28 points) and the rookie Jabari Smith Jr. (24 points and 11 rebounds), while in Boston Jaylen Brown’s 43 points and Jayson Tatum’s 22 are not enough.
Without Doncic and Irving, Dallas sinks at home against Memphis, with the Grizzlies walking 104-88 and find their third consecutive hit. Still without Ja Morant due to the well-known off-field events, Memphis is led by Desmond Bane’s 23 points, while for Dallas only Jaden Hardy is saved with 28 points.
A dominant Anthony Edwards (32 points) and the third triple-double of Kyle Anderson’s career (14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds) allow Minnesota to win easily on the Atlanta field. It ends 136-115 for the T’Wolves, despite Trae Young’s 41 points for the Hawks.
Closes the victory of Detroit, who tries to get some satisfaction in this last part of the season. The Pistons win 117-97 against the Indiana Pacers with an excellent collective performance of teams, where he also finds his good space James Wiseman with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
NBA 2023 RESULTS (MARCH 14)
Detroit Pistons – Indiana Pacers 117-97
Atlanta Hawks – Minnesota Timberwolves 115-136
Dallas Mavericks – Memphis Grizzlies 88-104
Miami Heat – Utah Jazz 119-115
Houston Rockets – Boston Celtics 111-109
Golden State Warriors – Phoenix Suns 123-112
Sacramento Kings – Milwaukee Bucks 124-133
Photo: LaPresse
