9 games on the program tonight, and the trends for the play-in race are starting to take shape! Dallas, Minnesota, OKC, the Lakers, Golden State, but also the Bulls, Hawks and Raptors played yesterday. Inside Basket debriefs you at night.
- LOS ANGELES LAKERS 108-118 CHICAGO BULLs
End of the victory mini-series for the Angelinos! The Lakers could rejoice that night with the return of the KING to the courts. Lebron James indeed resumed competition, starting the match on the bench, for a total of 30 minutes played (19 points, 8 rebounds, but also 5 ball losses). However, that was not enough to overcome the Bulls men with an excellent Zach Lavine (32 points, 4 passes dcisives). Demar DeRozan was also very effective without forcing, and finished 17 points 7/13 shooting, and 10 assists. The visitors dominated the whole game, without ever being really bothered by Darvin Ham’s gang (they can thank their good address: 14/31 from the parking lot tonight, or 45% success). It is therefore a victory that is good for the Bulls (10th in the East) in the play-in race, and Patrick Beverley did not hesitate to show it at the end of the meeting, with his roomy gesture “too small” in front of Lebron James after scoring a rolled arm in front of him. The Lakers (9th in the West), meanwhile, fell to a tie with the Thunder (37-38).
- GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 96-99 Minnesota Timberwolves
Another end to the series, this time at the defending champions’ home against a well-restored pack of Minnesota wolves! Jordan Poole (27 points) and Naz Reid (23 points) finished top scorers of their teams, in a defensive match where the stars had trouble shining. The game was extremely close until the last moments, thanks to two well-placed defenses (thanks Draymond Green et Klay Thompson ct warriors, et Jaden McDaniels et Rudy Gobert ct Wolves). However at the end of the game, Karl-Anthony Towns got down to business and shut down the game with a cold-blooded three-pointer. The interior of Wolves signs a remarkable return, he who will have won his team two games in a row in the last moments! Three straight wins for Wolves (37-37), 8th in the Western Conference.
The Hornets again created a surprise against the Mavericks, despite another monstrous game of Luka Doncic (40 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists). The Hornets were able to show themselves to be far superior to their opponents of the day in intensity (58 rebounds vs. 37) and ball management (27 assists vs. 18). And all this without Lamelo Ball, Kelly Oubre et Terry Rozier !
Everything rolls Memphis! The Grizzlies won (119-123) at the Hawks, with a great duo I Morant (27 points, 6 passes) – Desmond Bane (25 points, 5 assists). OppositeTrae Young (28 points and 10 assists) will have given everything, in vain. Sixth straight win for the Grizz’.
Boston has largely imposed against San Antonio home (137-93). Jaylen Brown made forget his recent declarations with a great game: 41 points and 13 rebounds for the twirling rear of the Celtics. On the Spurs side, we don’t worry about the results: the Texans season will be played in June on the New York side…
The Thunder won in Oregon against the Portland Trail Blazers (112-118). Whether Shaedon Sharpe (29 points) and Nassir Little (28 points) impressed, Shai’s band (31 points, 4 interceptions) showed why it is a very serious play-in contender.
Charlotte Hornets 110-104 Dallas Mavericks
Los Angeles Lakers 108-110 Chiago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks 119-123 Memphis Grizzlies
Boston Celtics 137-93 San Antonio Spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers 108-91 Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic 119-106 Brooklyn Nets
Toronto Raptors 114-104 Washington Wizards
Portland Trail Blazers 112-118 Oklahoma City Thunder
Golden State Warriors 96-99 Minnesota Timberwolves