With a beaming Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns got the better of the Denver Nuggets (104-97), reigning champions, on Wednesday in the NBA, where the Houston Rockets won their 10th meeting in a row, against the Oklahoma Thunder (132-126 AD).
. Prestige success of the Suns
With 30 points and 13 rebounds, Kevin Durant played a decisive role in Phoenix’s victory on the champions’ floor. Collectively, the Suns were particularly prolific at three points (16 successful shots), taking the lead from the second quarter (59-52 at the break).
Opposite, double MVP Nikola Jokic was hampered by a painful back and hip, and had to settle for 22 points. And the Nuggets also suffered from the absence, for the third consecutive meeting, of Jamal Murray, injured in an ankle.
Thanks to this victory, Phoenix, 7th (43 v., 30 l.), remains in the race for the play-offs, lying in wait behind Dallas (43-29).
Denver (51-22) maintains the lead by taking advantage of OKC’s defeat on its floor against Houston.
. We don’t stop the Rockets anymore
The Rockets indeed played a bad trick on the Thunder, deprived of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, spared (thigh), with 37 points accompanied by 10 rebounds for Jalen Green, named best player of the evening.
The decision was made in overtime, won 20-14, and this 10th victory in a row allows Houston (11th) to continue to put pressure on the Warriors (10th), winners at the same time in Orlando 101-93, for the last place in play-in.
The only downside to this victory in Florida, Draymond Green was excluded for the fourth time this season, after two technical fouls for disputes over refereeing decisions.
. LeBron en triple-double
The LA Lakers also won on the road, in Memphis (136-124), with a triple-double for LeBron James (23 pts, 14 rebounds, 12 assists), absent in the previous match against the Bucks.
This time it was Anthony Davis, injured in a knee, who was left to rest, but Rui Hachimura perfectly assisted LeBron by making 7 out of 8 three-point shots.
The Lakers, who have five wins in a row, are 9th. Memphis is out of the race (13th).
. Controversy in Philadelphia
James Harden beat the Sixers this time, achieving a double-double (16 pts, 14 assists) but we will especially remember the controversy at the end of the match in this narrow victory for the Clippers at “Phila” (108-107). After the match, the officials admitted to having failed to call a foul in the last seconds by Paul George on Kelly Oubre, which would have given the Sixers the opportunity to win.
“There was a contact that justified a foul,” lamented Sixers coach Nick Nurse, who can console himself with the news of a return by the end of the regular season of Joel Embiid, injured in a knee.
Just before this contentious action, Kahwi Leonard had made two vital three-point shots for the Clippers, still 4th in the West (45-27).
. Victories for Wolves and Spurs
Victorious evening for Rudy Gobert with Minnesota, against Detroit (106-91), but also for Victor Wembanyama, with the Spurs, in Utah (118-111).
Gobert achieved a double-double (11 pts, 14 rebounds) for the Wolves, 3rd in the West (50-22). “Wemby” for his part scored 19 points (8 rebounds) for San Antonio, still last (17-56).
2024-03-28 09:57:38
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