NBA: Lakers’ Duo, Sixers-Hawks Thriller & More

The match: 2 OT and Johnson gets the better of Maxey

It took almost an hour of play to finally decide between Atlanta and Philadelphia. The Hawks won against the Sixers after two overtimes (134-142) thanks to a great Jalen Johnson. Tipped for a first All-Star selection, the new boss of the franchise has offered himself a royal statistical line: 41 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. But above all two crucial three-point baskets to finally give his team the victory.

The Sixers lined up Joel Embiid (18 pts) and Paul George (16) for the first time this season. But it only confirmed that this team is now Tyrese Maxey’s. The young star scored 44 points (with 9 assists) while being fed balls in money time when the Hawks were 7 points ahead. Maxey led the charge to come back.

On the other hand, his two missed shots in overtime were costly. They allowed Atlanta to subsequently come back on two other shots, successful for once, from Nickeil Alexander-Walker (34 pts). Johnson and his comrades have won 4 of their last 5 matches and 11 of 16 played without Trae Young this season. Zaccharie Risacher finished with 12 points.

The player(s): Doncic and Reaves in control

Although deprived of LeBron James, the Lakers dominated the Pelicans (133-121) relying on the great start of Luka Doncic. The Slovenian scored 20 of his 34 points in the first quarter and Los Angeles was 19 points ahead. He added 12 rebounds and 7 assists in total. Austin Reaves also stood out with 33 points, 5 rebounds and 8 caviars. Their duo has worked wonderfully since the start of the season and the Californians are second in the West with 15 victories in 19 matches.

The series: 12 in a row for the Thunder

Now that Jalen Williams has returned, Isaiah Hartenstein has joined the infirmary in Oklahoma City. That doesn’t stop the Thunder from rolling out again and again. The reigning champions beat the Blazers (115-123), the only team to have knocked them down this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts) and his teammates signed their 12th victory in a row. The 20th in 21 meetings since the start of the season. Impressive. Holder, Sidy Cissoko scored 5 points for Portland. Rayan Rupert scored 3.

The performance: Pritchard and the Celtics hold off the Cavaliers

Solid victory for Boston in Cleveland (115-117) with a high-class performance from leader Payton Pritchard, author of 42 points including several decisive baskets. A success which confirms the current good performances of the Celtics after a few difficult first matches.

But Joe Mazzulla’s players still scared each other. They led by 21 points in the third quarter and by 11 with 2 minutes to go before the buzzer. The Cavaliers came roaring back. It was Pritchard, again, who allowed his team to breathe by scoring 2 shots with 6 seconds remaining. Jaylen Brown finished with a triple-double (19 pts, 12 rebounds, 11 pds).

The French: Raynaud continues to show himself

Already author of a 19-point outing, Maxime Raynaud takes full advantage of the absence of Domantas Sabonis and the Kings’ current difficulties to earn minutes. He is comfortable on the pitch and it shows. Even if Sacramento lost again against Memphis (107-115), the French pivot stood out by compiling 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists on Sunday evening.

8 points and 8 rebounds for Rudy Gobert during the Timberwolves’ victory against the Spurs (125-112). Anthony Edwards notably scored 32 points for Minnesota. Little used in New York this season, Guerschon Yabusele scored 7 points in addition to his 4 rebounds in 10 minutes last night. The Knicks won a fourth victory in a row by beating the Raptors (116-94) and they are getting closer to the summits in the East. Mohamed Diawara played 4 minutes and scored 2 points.