The bad series: the New York Knicks in full doubt
Palpable tensions in the ranks of the Knicks. They are quite logical given that the Big Apple franchise seems to be stalling at the worst of times, as the end of the regular season approaches and the home stretch for play-off qualification is underway. Tom Thibodeau’s men made a bad operation on the floor of the Orlando Magic (106-11), conceding in passing a third consecutive defeat.
Something to annoy, like Julius Randle (23 points 9 rebounds): the interior was seen taking the lead with his teammate Emmanuel Quickley (25 points), frustrated to see his team join the locker room at the break eight points behind (53-45). A deficit filled at the end of the third act (75-75), and which the Knicks let widen once more in the last quarter, dominated in particular by Paulo Banchero (21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks), favorite for the rookie of the year trophy.
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The New York Knicks are fifth in the Eastern Conference (42v-33d), with two wins ahead (and one more game) over the Miami Heat (40v-34d). Brooklyn (39v-34d), the first not to qualify directly for the play-offs, has 39 wins (and 2 fewer matches played).
“We dropped 36 points (in Orlando) in the last quarter, it’s not us ”cursed Quickley, then echoed by his trainer: “ We got out of the hole in the third quarter, and we played very badly in the fourth. […] We spent too much energy in the third. »
The player: first triple-double for Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
Brandon Ingram will have waited for the seventh season of his career to join the club of players who have validated at least one triple-double. The former Los Angeles Lakers winger compiled, on the floor of his New Orleans Pelicans, 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, sending his team to a very big victory (115-96). Opposite, the Hornets simply did not have the weapons to fight, losing in particular three players to injury during the meeting (Rozier, Oubre Jr. then Smith).
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Five Pelicans players scored 15 or more points during the game: 30 for Ingram, 20 for Jonas Valanciunas (19 rebounds) and CJ McCollum, 19 for Trey Murphy and 16 for Naji Marshall.
The right operation: the Clippers keep a margin in the West
Two wins. This is the (small) lead that the Los Angeles Clippers have over … the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom they have just beaten! That says it all of the crazy struggles that await the Western Conference until the end of the season, whether for direct qualification in the play-offs or to snag a ticket for the play-in – preliminary tournament reserved for ranked teams of 7 at 10.
The very large success of the Clips on the floor once morest the Thunder (127-105) allows them both to maintain a break ahead, in fifth place (39v-35d) over an incredible pack of pursuers (Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Lakers, Pelicans, Thunder and Jazz), but also to stay in the wake of the Phoenix Suns, fourth and who have one victory less (38) but two games behind. In the absence of Paul George (leg), Kawhi Leonard (32 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Russell Westbrook (24 points, 7 assists) did most for the Angelins.
The French: three on the same floor
Since Evan Fournier still does not play for the New York Knicks (15 consecutive matches without coming off the bench), who have used only nine players despite the absence of Jalen Brunson (hand), all the French to observe Thursday evening were on the floor of the Los Angeles Clippers. Nicolas Batum was the most visible with, always in a role of versatile teammate, a contribution in all sectors (12 points to 4 of 6 from three points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals).
Opposite, for Oklahoma City, Ousmane Dieng and Olivier Sarr both came off the bench. In just over a quarter of an hour of play (16 minutes), the first cracked 9 points (4 of 6 shooting), for 4 rebounds and 1 interception. In eight minutes, Sarr was content with 3 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
