Los Angeles (USA), 16 Dec. The Memphis Grizzlies, with a spectacular beating of the Milwaukee Bucks (142-101) who came to lose 50 points, dazzled this Thursday in the NBA and took the leadership of the West from the New Orleans Pelicans who fell for the second consecutive time once morest the Utah Jazz.
In addition, the Phoenix Suns recovered following five consecutive losses with a placid victory once morest the Clippers without any of their figures.
GRIZZLIES 142 – BUCKS 101
With a spectacular Ja Morant (triple-double in just three quarters with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists), the Grizzlies went over and humiliated a Bucks without Jrue Holiday and in which Giannis Antetokounmpo had a discreet performance (19 points with 5 of 13 shooting, 6 rebounds and 5 assists)
In addition to the +50 that they reached in the last period, Memphis had eight players over 10 points, made 54.9% of their shots (37.2% of the Bucks), controlled the rebound (56- 39), they were leading following the first quarter by 33-18 and at the break they were already clearly dominating by 70-41.
The Spanish Santi Aldama signed an outstanding performance for the Grizzlies -especially in the third quarter- and finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds and an assist in 27 minutes coming off the bench.
His compatriot Serge Ibaka did not play for the Bucks due to an illness unrelated to the coronavirus.
JAZZ 132 – PELICANS 129
The Pelicans lost the leadership of the West -in favor of the Grizzlies- when they fell in overtime and for the second time in a row in 48 hours once morest the Jazz of an excellent Jordan Clarkson (39 points and 8 rebounds).
Zion Williamson (31 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists) might not lead the Pelicans to victory, who forced overtime with a triple by Trey Murphy and in which the Spanish Willy Hernangómez had no minutes.
Puerto Rican José Alvarado was sidelined by the Pelicans with a bruised rib.
CLIPPERS 95 – SUNS 111
The Suns rebounded from five straight losses and beat a Clippers who didn’t put up any resistance as they came into this matchup with a huge list of absentees: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard.
Mikal Bridges (27 points and 6 rebounds on 11 of 18 shooting) and Chris Paul (15 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists) shone in a Suns team that got Devin Booker back following two games out with a hamstring injury (14 points with 6 of 22 shooting)
Instead, Deandre Ayton was sidelined at Phoenix with an ankle injury.
Terance Mann led the Clippers with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
HEAT 108 – HEAT 111
Tyler Herro had scored the winning basket once morest the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and this time he was also crucial in the victory of the Miami Heat with 41 points, his NBA record.
As part of his display, Herro hit 10 3-pointers, tying the best by a player in Heat history.
Jalen Green (22 points) led a group of six players above 10 points in a Rockets in which the Spanish Usman Garuba stood out with 2 points, 9 rebounds (5 of them offensive), 3 assists and a +/ differential. – +12 (the best of his entire team) in 20 minutes starting in the second unit.
RANKINGS
. Eastern Conference:
.1. Boston Celtics 22-7
.2. Milwaukee Bucks 20-8
.3. Cleveland Cavaliers 18-11
.4. Brooklyn Nets 17-12
.5. Philadelphia 76ers 15-12
.6. New York Knicks 15-13
.7. Indiana Pacers 15-14
.8. Miami Heat 15-15
.9. Atlanta Hawks 14-15
10. Toronto Raptors 13-15
11. Chicago Bulls 11-16
12. Washington Wizards 11-18
13. Orlando Magic 9-20
14. Detroit Pistons 8-22
15. Charlotte Hornets 7-21
. Western Conference:
.1. Memphis Grizzlies 19-9
.2. New Orleans Pelicans 18-10
.3. Denver Nuggets 17-10
.4. Phoenix Suns 17-12
.5. Portland Trail Blazers 16-12
.6. Sacramento Kings 15-12
.7. Utah Jazz 17-14
.8. Los Angeles Clippers 17-14
.9. Dallas Mavericks 14-14
10. Golden State Warriors 14-15
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 13-15
12. Los Angeles Lakers 11-16
13. Oklahoma City Thunder 11-17
14. San Antonio Spurs 9-19
15. Houston Rockets 9-19
NEXT DAY (Friday, December 16)
Charlotte Jornets – Atlanta Hawks
Detroit Pistons – Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors – Brooklyn Nets
Philadelphia 76ers – Golden State Warriors
Cleveland Cavaliers – Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic
Oklahoma City Thunder – Minnesota Timberwolves
Chicago Bulls – New York Knicks
Dallas Mavericks – Portland Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers – Denver Nuggets. EFE
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