A monumental performance by Trey Murphy, with 10 of 12 on triples and 32 points, boosted the Pelicans’ victory in their visit to the Clippers (110-131). The New Orleans franchise player joins Zach LaVine (Bulls) and Luke Kennard (Grizzlies) as the only players this season to hit as many 3-pointers with 80% correct. It is the first time in history that several players have done it in the same season, but the most curious thing is that it has been seen on consecutive nights, Kennard did it on Friday.
Murphy was seconded Brandon Ingram, with 32 points and 13 assists; Jonas Valanciunas, with 17 points and 13 rebounds; and CJ McCollum, who finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and as many assists. Given the difference in the score, Willy Hernangómez took to the trackalthough to play only three minutes in which he did two points and two rebounds.
The Pelicans, after their fourth win in a row, are now seventh in the tight West behind some Clippers who do not stop receiving bad news in every game. Paul George’s knee injury, although not as serious as initially feared, was joined a fortuitous punch that Kawhi Leonard received to the face from Ingram. he had to retire with 27 minutes played and 12 points with some very bad percentages: 4/16 in field goals and 0/6 in triples. Bones Hyland led the Angels with 18 points and Russell Westbrook had 14, plus three rebounds and five assists.
Kings 121-113 Jazz
The Kings still can’t celebrate their return to the playoffs after 17 years of waiting, but they took a new step towards the postseason. It’s only a matter of time before officialdom arrives and, meanwhile, Mike Brown’s team beat the Jazz despite the loss of De’Aaron Fox. Kevin Huerter signed 27 points and Domantas Sabonis contributed a valuable double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds. For the Jazz, Walker Kessler had 31 points and eleven rebounds.
Heat 100-129 Nets
With a great performance in Miami, led by the 27 points from Mikal Bridgesthe Nets crushed the Heat in a direct clash for the sixth position and surpassed the team of Erick Spoelstra in the table to be placed in direct access to the playoffs. The Nets snapped a five-game losing streak and knocked the Heat down despite 23 points from Tyler Herro and 23 from Max Strus coming off the bench.
Hawks 143-130 Pacers
John Collins, with 21 points, and Clint Capela, with a double double of 17 points and 17 rebounds, led a team exhibition of the Hawks, with eight players over ten points, plus a Bogdan Bogdanovic who signed nine. The Hawks accelerated towards the ‘play-in’, while the Pacers remain out of the postseason positions, despite the great performance of Jordan Nwora, with 33 points in less than 33 minutes coming off the bench.
