Continue to NBA Rivals Week with eight very interesting challenges. Come back Kawhi Leonard hey Clippers they win the derby against i Lakerswhile i Timberwolves they collect their fourth consecutive defeat, this time against i Bulls. Battle and controversy between 76ers e Rockets: in the end the hosts prevail in overtime. Easy successes for Spurs, Hornets e Blazers sui Jazzsui Magic and on Heat (Fontecchio 17 points), while Denver vince a Washington thanks to the 35 points of Peyton Watson. Very complicated situation for the Warriors: after the injury of Butlereven in the night Kumiga he left the parquet in pain, condemning Curry and teammates to the defeat against the Mavericks.
Los Angeles Clippers 112-104 Los Angeles Lakers
The Clippers’ defense, once again, shines and sends the yellow-violet cousins into confusion, very imprecise from beyond the arc (11/33). Kawhi Leonard he returns and immediately makes himself felt with 24 points, while James Harden he shoots poorly (6/21) but still finishes with a double double (18+10 assists). In the Lakers it’s the usual Luka Doncic 32+11 rebounds (3/13 from the arc), supported by solo LeBron James (23 points): too little to compete against these in-form Clippers. The key factor for coach Lue is Ivica Zubac’s dominance in the area: 18+19 rebounds and comparison with Deandre Ayton dominated far and wide. Really seven men in double figures for the hostsa symptom of the great trust that circulates in the locker room: fourteenth victory in the last seventeen matches and play-in zone captured. The Lakers, on the other hand, continue with ups and downs: direct qualification for the playoffs does not seem to be a given.
Philadelphia 76ers 128-122 Houston Rockets (dopo OT)
Incredible battle at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Sixers try to escape in the third quarter, but Kevin Durant doesn’t agree: three triples in the period after the break and 36 points at the final siren. Driven by KD, the Rockets fly to +9 with 6 minutes to go, but the hosts don’t give up and, thanks to the triple double of Joel Embiid (32+15+10) and 36+10 assists Tyrese Maxey they tied the score at 115 with 40 seconds left. Controversy erupts on the last possession: Maxey leans on the scoreboard, Durant arrives to block the shot very slightly late, but the referees don’t validate the shot, forcing the teams to go to extra time.
Philadelphia finds the decisive extension at the end of overtime: blocked by Paul George (10 points) up Alperen Sengun (13), counterattack by Kelly Oubre Jr.(26) and game on ice. The 76ers extend their lead in seventh place and remain firmly in the playoff zone, while the Rockets are unable to take advantage of the defeats of the Wolves and the Lakers.
The other results:
Orlando Magic 97-124 Charlotte Hornets (Top scorer: Paolo Banchero 23 – Brandon Miller 20)
Washington Wizards 97-107 Denver Nuggets (Kyshawn George 20 – Peyton Watson 35)
Dallas Mavericks 123-115 Golden State Warriors (Naji Marshall 30 – Stepehn Curry 38)
Minnesota Timberwolves 115-120 Chicao Bulls (Julius Randle 30 – Coby White 22)
Utah Jazz 109-126 San Antonio Spurs (Keyente George 23 – De’araron Fox 31)
Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 Miami Heat (Shaedon Sharpe 27 – Bam Adebayo 32)
Credit photo: Los Angeles Clippers (Facebook)
