For the first time this season, most franchises have a second game in two nights. With franchise players left to rest and outsiders with long teeth, some results have been surprising. Brooklyn and Philadelphia lost for the first time this season while Cleveland, Orlando and Indiana are yet to experience loss.
For the first time this season, most franchises have a second game in two nights. With franchise players left to rest and outsiders with long teeth, some results have been surprising. Brooklyn and Philadelphia lost for the first time this season while Cleveland, Orlando and Indiana have yet to experience loss.
The match of the night
Despite a Kyrie Irving – Kevin Durant duo who once again stood out, Brooklyn lost their first game of the season. In Charlotte, the Nets were beaten because of a very bad second period (106-104). In 36 minutes on the floor, the leader scored 25 points when his winger put four more. But that was not enough to avoid the defeat against the partners of Gordon Hayward (28 points). In the second period, the Hornets worked hard to change a game that had been balanced until then. They took the lead and even made the hole in the fourth quarter. There was a difference of up to 16 points. The partners of a very clean Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (11 points at 100% shooting success) tried everything to come back, they failed to regain control and failed with two small units. After a very convincing start to the season, this is the Nets’ first setback this season. Philadelphia, who played without Joel Embiid against Cleveland experienced the same disillusionment (118-94)
The flop of the night
The Los Angeles Clippers suffered a historic loss. Undefeated so far, the California franchise has lost 51 points against Dallas (73-124). Without Kawhi Leonard left to rest, Paul George’s partners never existed in this game. At the break, the lead of Luka Doncic’s teammates had already reached 50 points, a first in the history of the NBA. This historic disappointment is likely to leave traces at Staples Center.
MVP of the night
In Chicago, Golden State offered its first victory of the season (128-129). But it was difficult to find. The Warriors needed to come back up seven points in the final three minutes. During the last 20 minutes of the game, Steve Kerr’s men only led the score once: two seconds from the buzzer. At that time, Damion Lee scored a decisive 3-point shot to improve the work of Stephen Curry. The Golden State point guard has regained his efficiency and performance to bring his own back into the game. He scored 36 points in this part, notably turning 5/15 behind the 3-point line.
French of the night
In a game against the Bucks of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Frank Ntilikina did much better than in his first two outings of the season. While the leader was still looking for his first basket in the game, he had only registered a free throw, he registered 12 points thanks to an incredible 4/4 to 3 points. The former Strasbourg player’s performance allowed the Knicks to bring down Milwaukee at Madison Square Garden: 130-120. This is the New Yorkers’ first victory this season.
The declaration of the night
“We showed who we are. Some people have learned from the first two games of the season when the season is long. We have to play like that from now on. We have to defend like tonight. It must be our strength. ” At Staples Center, Luka Doncic had things to prove. This sense of revenge from the Mavericks, who had yet to win this season, certainly played a significant role in the victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The top 10 of the night
To come up…
BASKET – NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers – Dallas mavericks : 73-124
>>> Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 21’30 gameplay, 4 points (2 out of 4 on shots including 0/1 to 3pts), 6 rebounds, 1 pass, 1 lost ball, 2 fouls
Charlotte hornets – Brooklyn Nets: 106-104
>>> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (BKN): 11 points (at 4/4 on shots including 3/3 at 3 points), 1 interception in 12 minutes
New Orleans Pelicans – San Antonio Spurs: 98-95
Washington Wizards – Orlando Magic : 113-120
>>> Evan Fournier (ORL): 19 points (4/10 on shots including 2/5 at 3 points), 1 rebound, 2 assists in 28 minutes
Cleveland cavaliers – Philadelphia 76ers: 118-94
>>> Vincent Poirier (PHI) did not play
New York Knicks – Milwaukee Bucks: 130-110
>>> Frank Ntilikina (NYK): 12 points (4/6 on shots including 4/4 3 points), 1 rebound in 19 minutes
Chicago Bulls – Golden State Warriors : 128-129
>>> Adam Mokoka (CHI) did not play
Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics: 108-107
Sacramento Kings – Phoenix suns : 100-116
Los Angeles Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves: 127-91
