Chet Holmgren has the better end in the duel between the former top young players. The Milwaukee Bucks shake their way to victory against weakened Warriors and the Utah Jazz continue their winning streak. Last NBA night’s roundup.
Also: Isiah Hartenstein shines in the Knicks’ next win and sets a new career high.
Jayson Tatum impressed as a passer for the Boston Celtics in Game 5.
Boston Celtics (30-9) – Houston Rockets (19-19) 145:113 (BOXSCORE)
Atlanta Hawks (15-23) – Washington Wizards (7-31) 99:127 (BOXSCORE)
- The Washington Wizards avert the sweep in their duel with the Atlanta Hawks and win the first game in the fourth meeting this season. They held the team from the East Coast to their worst offensive performance this season, with the Hawks ultimately only hitting 34 percent of their throws. This also ended the streak of 94 consecutive games in which Atlanta had always scored at least 100 points – it was the third longest in NBA history.
- Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 29 points (10/20) and Jordan Poole also added 20 (8/16). Trae Young remained pale with 6/19 field throws, but with 21 points he still ends up at the top end of the Hawks’ box score.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the superstar of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder (27-11) – Orlando Magic (21-18) 112:100 (BOXSCORE)
- After almost a year and a half, the duel between Oklahoma and Orlando will be the first meeting between the former top picks of the 2022 draft. Paolo Banchero achieved a triple-double with 20 points (8/19), nine rebounds and eight assists. Chet Holmgren, who sat out all of last season, finished with 15 points (7/14) and eight assists.
- But the show was once again stolen by Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 22 points in the first half alone. Up to that point, no Orlando player had scored more than six points. Until the end of the second quarter it remained comparatively close at 49:40.
- It became clearer in the third quarter, at the end of which the guests from Oklahoma pulled away to 13 points. That’s what they used too Jalen Williams’ buzzer-beater from the halfway line to end the period. The OKC lead never fell below the six-point threshold in the final quarter.
- Meanwhile, the Magic were once again without Franz Wagner, who continues to suffer from an ankle injury. Wendell Carter Jr. and Markelle Fultz (both knees) as well as Gary Harris (calf) and Joe Ingles (ankle) were also unavailable for the team. It is the third defeat in a row for the team from Florida.
Milwaukee Bucks (27-12) – Golden State Warriors (18-21) 129:118 (BOXSCORE)
- Without their superstar Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors hosted the Milwaukee Bucks that night. The Californians, who were thinly staffed especially at the guard position (also without Chris Paul and Gary Payton II), were led primarily by their young talents Kuminga (28) and Podziemski (23, 10/14). It is also largely thanks to the two of them that the game remained a close game until the end.
- Ultimately, however, the Bucks’ star power prevailed. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Wisconsin team with 33 points (13/22), Damian Lillard scored another 27 and Khris Middleton added an efficient 24 points (10/13).
- Bucks rookie Andre Jackson Jr. also drew attention, recording the first triple-double of his career (10 points, 10 rebounds). His block on Warriors rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis in the third quarter led to a quick fast break three-pointer from Lillard for a 75-72 lead.
- For the Warriors, Klay Thompson (21, 7/23) and especially Andrew Wiggins (7, 3/13) again had needed days. Especially with the latter, the performance comes at the wrong time, After all, his name is circulating in various trade rumors.
Memphis Grizzlies (14-25) – New York Knicks (23-16) 94:106 (BOXSCORE)
- The Knicks are rolling! The Knickerbockers take their sixth win in their seventh game at the Memphis Grizzlies. A 24:8 run in the third quarter was enough for them to pull away from the Tennessee team. Especially on the boards, the hosts were unable to gain anything today, for which the German Isiah Hartenstein was particularly responsible with his career best of 20 rebounds. Julius Randle led New York with 24 points and eleven rebounds, and newcomer OG Anunby contributed 18 points.
- The Grizzlies again had to do without a large number of their key players. In addition to the long-term injured Ja Morant (shoulder), Marcus Smart (finger) and Desmond Bane (ankle) will also be out for the next few weeks.
San Antonio Spurs (7-31) – Chicago Bulls (19-22) 116:122 (BOXSCORE)
- The Chicago Bulls win a thriller against the San Antonio Spurs and record their 19th win of the season. Nikola Vucevic, in particular, was particularly impressive, recording 24 points and 16 rebounds in the box score. The center also benefited from the absence of Victor Wembanyama, who was rested by Spurs out of a purely precautionary measure.
- Ayo Dosunmu (21) and DeMar DeRozan (20) contributed important points for the guests from Chicago, while Zach LaVine (10) remained rather inconspicuous. For the Spurs, however, guard Tre Jones exploded to a career-high 30 points, and Keldon Johnson added 26.
Dallas Mavericks (23-17) – New Orleans Pelicans (24-16) 108:118 (BOXSCORE)
- The Dallas Mavericks are again thinly staffed, having to do without Luka Doncic and rookie Derrick Lively II (both ankles) as well as Dante Exum (foot). Point guard Kyrie Irving, who led the team with 33 points, took on more responsibility.
- However, that production wasn’t enough to offset the Pelicans’ diverse scoring. A total of seven New Orleans players scored in double figures, topped by rookie Jordan Hawkins, who set a career-high 34 points.
- The Pelicans were also without the rested Zion Williamson as well as Brandon Ingram (Achilles tendon) and CJ McCollum (ankle). Strong shooting in the third quarter (7/9 3PT) distanced the team enough to win the first of two direct duels within three days. The new edition of this duel will take place tomorrow.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. each scored 24 points. For the Pelicans, Valanciunas, Alvarado and Nance Jr. scored exactly 14 points, while Herbert Jones contributed 15.
Utah Jazz (21-20) – Los Angeles Lakers (19-21) 132:125 (BOXSCORE)
- The Utah Jazz remain the hottest team in the league! Against the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers, Will Hardy’s team increases their winning streak to five. Lauri Markkanen (29 points, nine rebounds) was once again the outstanding man. The Finn received support from Collin Sexton (27) and Jordan Carkson (21).
- The Lakers put on a courageous performance even without James, who sat out with ankle problems. The Californians took an early lead in the first quarter, with guards Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell scoring the first 19 points in a row.
- The latter remained conspicuous throughout the rest of the game and ultimately scored 39 points and eight assists – an exclamation point given the constant trade rumors surrounding the 27-year-old. Anthony Davis also contributed a triple-double (15 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists), but remained largely inefficient offensively (5/21).
- The Jazz impressed above all with their fast game, benefiting from the Lakers’ 23 turnovers and scoring 27 fast break points. At the other end, sophomore Ochai Agbaji made a highlight block against Davis!
2024-01-14 06:14:00
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