Phoenix pique les Hornets
Affected by the Covid, decimated in the interior sector, Phoenix had lived a difficult end of the year 2021, marked by three defeats in four games, all once morest teams which serve as a benchmark this season (Golden State, Memphis and Boston) . The few days of rest obtained by the franchise of Arizona allowed to recharge their batteries, and to approach the recovery in Charlotte with a new offensive efficiency.
The Hornets, who nevertheless remained on three successes in a row, did not really resist on their floor, and were 16 points behind at the break (47-63, 24th). The gap only grew in the recovery, which also allowed the visitors to rest their stars, the back Devin Booker (24 points, 7 rebounds) in the lead (29 minutes). This success allows the Suns to come back in the wake of the Warriors, leaders of the regular season who have only one loss less (28v-7d, once morest 28v-8d). Despite this stoppage, Charlotte remains in the positive (19v-18d), in 7th place in the East.
Dominated on the rebound, the Lakers come out anyway
The statistics are frightening: in 48 minutes of play, at home moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers have left twice as many rebounds their opponents, the Minnesota Timberwolves, than they took (28-56). Despite 20 offensive catches and therefore a surprising domination under the baskets, the visitors failed to win (108-103) once morest a team of thirty, well helped by the 22 points of Malik Monk.
LeBron James (26 points, 7 rebounds) and Russell Westbrook (20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists) were invaluable, as was Carmelo Anthony, author of 14 points off the bench and efficient in the last quarter. Thanks to this second success in a row, the Lakers returned to a balanced record (19v-19d, 7th in the West), with the satisfaction of having the impression of playing better lately. Minnesota is ninth (16v-20d) and remains on three losses.
End of series for Miami, Indiana remains in the hard
First defeat in six matches for the Miami Heat, who ended the year 2021 with a bang, and started 2022 on the same basis (120-110 in Houston). Sunday, the Sacramento Kings of Buddy Hield (26 points off the bench) did a little better, especially in terms of marksmanship (51.3% once morest 43.8%), to win by two points ( 115-113). With the exception of their starting five, decimated and led by Tyler Herro (22 points) and Omer Yurtseven (22 points), the Floridians struggled to find relays (19 points).
In Cleveland, the big game of Domantas Sabonis (32 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) and the 19 three-point baskets slammed by the Indiana Pacers were not enough for the visitors to win (108-104 for the Cavs) . For the premises, the interiors did most of the work: 18 points and 11 rebounds for Jarrett Allen, 24 points and 9 rebounds for Evan Mobley, and finally 20 points and 8 rebounds for Kevin Love off the bench. Always so surprising this season (21v-16d, 5th in the East), the Cavaliers thus returned to victory following three defeats. For Indiana, the fall is painful to live: 4 consecutive losses (5 in 6 matches) and a record (14v-23d) which earned it a disappointing 13th place in the East. Trading rumors surrounding the major players in the franchise aren’t going to fade anytime soon.
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