The Knicks mess up at the Garden
A little less than eight minutes from the end of their home game, the New York Knicks lost their means against the Orlando Magic (94-98 defeat). While they were leading 88-81, Tom Thibodeau’s men liquefied, dominated by the visitors but also weighed down by their clumsiness (39.8% in the end) – embodied by the difficulties of Julius Randle (15 points to 5 on 18). The absence of Jalen Brunson (left calf) was felt at the end of the match dominated by Italian-American interior Paolo Banchero (20 points, 6 rebounds).
This success of the Magic, on the day of celebration of Martin Luther King Day, is all the more important for the Californian franchise as it allows it to come back to just one victory from its evening victim (22v-18d against 23v-17d). Evan Fournier did not come into play, for an eighth match in a row.
Irving and Hardaway catch fire
A striking statistic: Kyrie Irving is the only player in history to have already scored at least 40 points, three times with three different teammates having also reached this mark. The first is still in everyone’s memory: alongside LeBron James (41 points), Irving (41) helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals, thus beginning the Cavs’ comeback until the title (from 1-3 to 4-3).
On March 2, against Philadelphia, Irving (40 points) and Luka Doncic (42) became the first Dallas Mavericks players to cross this symbolic bar together in an NBA match. Monday evening, Irving (42 points) teamed up with Tim Hardaway Jr. (41 points) to repeat this major performance. With the bonus victory against the New Orleans Pelicans (125-120), synonymous with returning to equality with their opponent (24v-17d, tied for sixth place).
Fourth for Detroit, Hayes and Coulibaly discreet
The very weak opposition promised between the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards, the last two in the Eastern Conference, should in principle allow the two French players concerned, Killian Hayes (Detroit) and Bilal Coulibaly (Washington), to showcase themselves. Missed. The first named, used only 24 minutes, only accumulated 4 points (2 of 4 shooting) for 6 assists but his team nevertheless won (129-117), with an excellent Jaden Ivey (24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and also a huge double-double from Jalen Duren (20 points, 19 rebounds). This is only the Pistons’ fourth victory this season.
Coming off the bench, as usual, Coulibaly played 27 minutes, without managing to produce any notable statistics (2 points on 1 of 4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists).
2024-01-15 23:42:38
#York #scuttles #Orlando #Dallas #stands #Orleans
