Knicks @ Hornets : 121-102
Raptors @ Magic : 109-113
Wizards @ Pacers : 111-121
Hawks @ Nets : 116-120
Kings @ Cavaliers : 106-95
Lakers @ Sixers : 122-133
Pistons @ Grizzlies : 103-114
Suns @ Pelicans : 117-128
Timberwolves @ Jazz : 118-108
Bucks @ Mavericks : 106-105
Sixers hang on to beat Lakers in OT
– The Sixers did not go far from spoiling a new very good performance from Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian planted 38 points and his team held the game in hand but they collapsed. Even 12 points with 90 seconds remaining, or 9 with 30 seconds from the buzzer, wasn’t enough for Philadelphia to beat Los Angeles over 48 minutes. The Lakers came back heroically thanks to LeBron James and Austin Reaves. But the latter missed a throw in the last moments, just like Anthony Davis (31 points, 21 in the fourth quarter), and it was finally in OT that the match was played.
James Harden then scored 9 of his 28 points to allow Doc Rivers players to avoid the hold-up. In addition to Embiid’s 38 points, the Sixers were able to count on De’Anthony Melton’s 33 points off the bench.
– Another big game from Julius Randle and another victory for the Knicks. The third in a row for the New York franchise, driven once once more by its All-Star interior. Already author of 34 points in the previous game, he scored 33 points Friday night. RJ Barrett backed him up with 26 points and 7 rebounds. 8 points for Theo Maledon on the Hornets side. The Manhattan team finds a balanced record with this success (13-13) and occupies eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
– The Raptors fell to the Magic, one of the lowest-ranked teams in the East. A surprise defeat for the teammates of Pascal Siakam (36 points), overtaken by Franz Wagner (34 points) and his partners. The German netted 14 in just over 3 minutes to put Orlando back on track in the first half. The Floridians were up to 20 points ahead but the Canadians came back late. Paolo Banchero (23 points) then took the game on his own to ensure the Magic’s second consecutive victory.
The increasingly interesting Nets
– The Nets have won 6 of their last 7 home games. A pleasant passage in the calendar that Jacque Vaughn’s players have mastered. They got the better of the Hawks last night despite Trae Young’s 33 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic’s 31 points. Brooklyn was able to count on an even more productive duo with 34 points for the unstoppable Kevin Durant and 33 units for his friend Kyrie Irving. Ben Simmons made his comeback following 3 games away (6 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals). The New Yorkers are fourth in the East and have won 7 of their last 10 meetings.
– Kristaps Porzingis (29 points) and Kyle Kuzma (27) were not enough: the Wizards still lost once morest Pacers led by Tyrese Haliburton (23 points, 11 assists). Buddy Hield had his best game of the season scoring 28 points. Indiana regains victory and remains in the top-5 in the East.
Successful return for Rudy Gobert to Utah
– Returning to Utah, where he was greeted by a standing ovation from the public, Rudy Gobert compiled 22 points and 13 rebounds to contribute to the victory of the Wolves once morest the Jazz. D’Angelo Russell was also very good with 30 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter! Gobert was also at the heart of a mini-controversy by scoring a basket alone near the basket when the match was folded. Malik Beasley did not like it and he wanted to remind the French pivot following the match.
Rudy Gobert and Malik Beasley following Gobert’s late-game bucket.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 10, 2022
Gobert defended himself by explaining that he had been taught to play until the last second. Especially since the Jazz defenders continued to press the opposing ball carriers…
– Very good defensive performance from Sacramento to Cleveland. Especially in money time. The Kings trailed 87-95 with 4 minutes remaining but finished the game 19-0 by stifling the Cavaliers attack on 10 straight possessions. Domantas Sabonis was dominating the paint (18 points, 18 rebounds) and it deserved a reward.
The moment @dsabonis11 was presented with the first ever ???????????????? ????????????????????! ????????#BeamTeam | #KingsFTW pic.twitter.com/yUpgvzXjDj
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 10, 2022
– Not really a surprise in Memphis, where the Grizzlies beat the Pistons without really forcing. Ja Morant went there with his little double-double (15 points, 12 assists) and Jaren Jackson Jr scored 20 points. Killian Hayes finished with 5 points and 5 assists for Detroit.
Pelicans win clash in the West
– Already passed first in the Conference following the last defeats of the Suns, the Pelicans have reinforced their status by precisely beating Phoenix last night. A sixth victory in a row for the teammates of Zion Williamson, more and more impressive, like their superstar. Author of 35 points, the interior concluded the victory of his people in beauty by slamming a 360 to fold the case.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… ZION WILLIAMSON. pic.twitter.com/MhjV7Zpl0R
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 10, 2022
The Suns didn’t like it and Williamson apologized. But the young man walked on the opposing defense all evening and Monty Williams’ players might not find a solution to stop him. The Pelicans bench was also very productive with 56 points ( once morest 29). This team is really to be taken seriously.
Brook Lopez finishes off the Mavericks
– Dallas players can really blame themselves. They should never have lost to Milwaukee last night. They led by 11 points at the start of the fourth quarter and they held this victory. Especially following the exit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, guilty of a sixth fault. But the Mavericks were catastrophic on the line. Tim Hardaway Jr missed 3 and Dorian Finney-Smith missed 2 in the final moments. Fails that led to Brook Lopez’s layup for the win.
This angle of Brook Lopez’s game-winner ???? pic.twitter.com/78BuAJDsW1
— NBA (@NBA) December 10, 2022
Luka Doncic’s Mavs (33 points) scored just 10 of their 24 free throws. Including 7 out of 15 in the fourth quarter.