Los Angeles Clippers – Los Angeles Lakers : 111-110
The Los Angeles derby had the right to a spectacular outcome with a decisive basket from Clippers point guard Reggie Jackson, following a spin (rotation on oneself) to avoid a two-man catch, scored four seconds from the end. This saved the game for Nicolas Batum’s team (4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks), which found itself led by the Lakers, deprived of LeBron James (knee), twelve seconds from the buzzer then that she had a seven-point lead with 3’25 to go.
This result materializes a reversal of the trend since the Clippers have just overtaken the Lakers (who have lost nine of their last thirteen games despite Anthony Davis’ recent return from injury, 30 points and 17 rebounds on Thursday evening) in the soft underbelly of the western conference.
Golden State Warriors – Sacramento Kings : 126-114
The evening offered another 100% California duel, which was logically won by the San Francisco team. Just another way to celebrate that Golden State is the only team to have three players selected for the All-Star Game this year — even though Draymond Green, out with a back injury and out until early March, won’t be able to play in Cleveland. This eighth victory in a row for the Warriors was marked by 23 points in 24 minutes from Klay Thompson, whose wrist no longer shows any rust (7/9 at 3 points) despite two years of absence due to injury.
Detroit Pistons – Minnesota Timberwolves : 117-128
Winning in Detroit (penultimate in the Eastern Conference) is not the deal of the century at the moment, to the point that what was given priority by the American media following the Wolves victory, their third in a row, is the fact that Anthony Edwards interrupted the press conference to order his meal on a fast food app…
There was still a game that was tight for three quarters before Karl-Anthony Towns, who was called up to the All-Star Game for the third time on the night, and his teammates made the difference. Frenchman Killian Hayes played 20 minutes for the Pistons (2 points at 1/4, 4 rebounds and 3 stray bullets, 2 blocks).
San Antonio Spurs – Miami Heat : 95-112
Authoritative victory for the Heat, which took the advantage from the start of the second quarter to never let go and inflict on the Texans their third defeat in a row. This game was marked by the return to play of Miami point guard Kyle Lowry following nearly three weeks of absence. The Floridians, who can now count on most of their vital forces, are only one step behind Chicago, the leader in the East, who lost in Toronto (127-120 ap).