A great fight pitted the Los Angeles Clippers, fourth in the Western Conference, once morest the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The two teams did not leave each other throughout the meeting, and it was finally the Californians who won (105-100). They thus ended a series of three consecutive defeats ( once morest New Orleans, Phoenix and Denver).
George and Jackson make the difference
For this match, Toronto was without Kyle Lowry (hit in the back) and OG Anunoby (suffering from a calf). The LA Clippers, they were able to count on Patrick Beverley, who had not played for a month, following a broken hand. At the break, the Raptors were ahead, but by a short header (54-48). And, at the end of the third quarter, the two teams were still tied (82-82).
The last 12 minutes were just as tense. 2’30” from the buzzer, it was 99-99 on the scoreboard. Then Paul George slammed a three-point shot for the Clippers, imitated a minute later by Reggie Jackson. Apart from a free throw from Pascal Siakam, the Toronto Raptors have not scored in the money time. Thanks to this victory, Los Angeles is now third in the Western Conference, in place of Denver, beaten Monday by the Lakers (93-89).
The Clippers await the Lakers
Paul George (22 points), Marcus Morris (22 pts) and Reggie Jackson (18) were the most effective in the ranks of the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard scored 13 points. Nicolas Batum played 20 minutes, returning a stat sheet of seven points and a rebound. For her comeback, Beverley scored eight points. The Raptors, for their part, relied on Fred VanVleet (27 points, 13 rebounds) and Pascal Siakam (24 pts).
The two teams will return to the NBA courts on Thursday. The Clippers have a derby once morest the Lakers ahead of them, while Toronto will host Washington.
Sacramento enfonce Oklahoma City
On Tuesday, the Sacramento Kings won at the Oklahoma City Thunder (103-99), with seven players at more than 10 points (including Buddy Hield and Terence Davis at 18). On the Thunder side, Theo Maledon scored six points, and Jaylen Hoard, who started on the bench, scored nine (plus seven rebounds). Sacramento won a third straight win, while Oklahoma City now has four straight losses.
