Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Monday March 20, 2023 at 09:21
Phoenix suffered its fourth loss in five games this Sunday at Oklahoma City. For their part, the Clippers and the Lakers both won.
Denver is still the only team in the West qualified for the play-offs, and the Nuggets have further increased their lead (four wins over Sacramento and Memphis) by going to win 102-108 in Brooklyn. Even if the final gap is limited, the players of Colorado largely dominated this match and still had a 22-point lead ten minutes from the end. Nikola Jokic finished again in triple-double: 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Fourth in the West, Phoenix is on the other hand in a bad patch, and suffered its fourth defeat in five games, on the floor of Oklahoma City, which can always dream of the play-in (124-120). Led for three and a half quarters, the Thunder made the difference in the last quarter, winning 34-24, including decisive free throws from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort in the money-time. “SGA” and Devin Booker fought a magnificent duel, finishing with 40 and 46 points respectively, and it was the Canadian who emerged victorious. The Clippers take advantage of the loss to the Suns to return to a victory and a half, after their 102-117 success at Portland, which suffered its sixth straight loss. The Californians led from start to finish, thanks in particular to Paul George (29pts, 9rbds) and Kawhi Leonard (24pts, 5rbds). Important victory also for the Lakers (10th), who beat Orlando 111-105 with an Austin Reaves of the big nights, author of his career record with 35 points. The two teams were tied (103-103) with 71 seconds remaining, and Reaves scored the last eight points for the Californians!
Miami still believes in it, Atlanta fails
In the East, the leader Milwaukee won its 51st victory of the season against Toronto (118-11) after a tight match where neither team exceeded the nine-point lead. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished in triple-double: 22 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Miami (7th) retains its chances of direct qualification for the play-offs thanks to its 100-112 victory in Detroit with a huge last quarter (19-38). Jimmy Butler scored 26 points. Bad operation on the other hand for Atlanta (8th), beaten 126-118 in San Antonio, where the duo Keldon Johnson – Devin Vassell scored 29 points each.
NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns : 124-120
Ousmane Dieng’s stats (OKC): 7 minutes of play, 0 points (0/1 in shooting including 0/1 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 1 rebound, 1 lost ball
Oliver Sarr (OKC) did not play, by decision of the coach
Detroit Pistons – Miami Heat : 100-112
Stats of Killian Hayes (DET): 38 minutes of play, 13 points (6/14 on shots including 1/3 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 4 lost balls, 3 fouls
Portland Trail Blazers – Los Angeles Clippers : 102-117
Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 16 minutes of play, 3 points (1/3 on shots including 1/3 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 interception, 1 lost ball, 2 fouls
Moussa Diabaté (LAC) did not play, by decision of the coach
Brooklyn Nets – Denver Nuggets : 102-108
san antonio spurs – Atlanta Hawks : 126-118
Houston Rockets – New Orleans Pelicans : 107-117
Milwaukee Bucks – Toronto Raptors : 118-111
Los Angeles Lakers – Orlando Magic : 111-105
