With 30 points and 13 rebounds, Kevin Durant played a decisive role in Phoenix’s victory away to the Denver Nuggets (104-97). Overall, the Suns were particularly prolific from three-point range (16 successful shots), taking the lead into the second quarter (59-52 at halftime). Up front, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic was hampered by back and hip soreness and had to settle for 22 points. The Nuggets also suffered from the absence, for the third consecutive match, of Jamal Murray, who injured an ankle. Thanks to this victory, Phoenix, 7th, remains in the running for the play-offs, behind Dallas.
Denver maintains its lead by taking advantage of Oklahoma City’s defeat against Houston. The Rockets in fact played a cruel trick on the Thunder, without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, thanks to 37 points from Jalen Green, named best player of the evening. The game was decided in overtime and this tenth consecutive victory allows Houston to continue to put pressure on the Warriors, winners at the same time as Orlando 101-93.
The LA Lakers won on the road, in Memphis (136-124), with a triple double for LeBron James (23 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists), absent in the previous match against the Bucks. This time it was Anthony Davis, who injured a knee, who rested, but Rui Hachimura assisted LeBron perfectly by making 7 out of 8 three-point shots. The Lakers are ninth in a row after five victories.
Controversy in Philadelphia. James Harden beat the Sixers this time, achieving a double double (16 points, 14 assists), but above all we will remember the controversies at the end of the game, in this narrow victory for the Clippers at “Phila” (108-107). In fact, the referees admitted that in the final seconds they did not whistle for a foul by Paul George on Kelly Oubre, which would have given the Sixers the chance to win.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
