Gobert too strong for the Lakers

It had been two months since Rudy Gobert scored so many points! Against the Lakers, the French pivot from Minnesota was inspired and delivered a very good performance, with 22 points and 14 rebounds on the clock in 27 minutes, to allow the Wolves to win 102-110 on the Californians floor, always deprived of LeBron James. The Lakers dominated the first quarter of an hour of play, before gradually suffering the law of the Wolves, who knew how to manage the money-time well to clinch the victory which allows them to switch to the positive (33 wins – 32 defeats), three days after already beating the Clippers. Anthony Davis’ 38 points weren’t enough for the Lakers, who are still eleventh and virtually unqualified for the play-in.

And this Sunday, it is the Warriors (who won their fifth straight victory at home, 108-99 against New Orleans, with 27pts from Klay Thompson) who arrive in Los Angeles… The evening was decidedly bad for the LA franchises , since the Clippers have meanwhile been beaten in Sacramento (128-127) and concede their fifth defeat in a row. The Kings were scared during this meeting, because after leading by thirteen points with 8’19 remaining, they saw the Clippers (deprived of Kawhi Leonard) pass in front 52 seconds from the buzzer on a 3-point shot by Paul George (28pts, 7 rebounds, 8pds), but Domantas Sabonis (23pts, 10rbds, 7pds) finally ensured on his two free throws at the end of the match to give the victory to his team. Note the 27 points and 10 assists of Russell Westbrook.

Denver is indeed the master of the West

But in the West, the match that held all the attention on Friday was that between the first two in the standings, Denver and Memphis. And the Nuggets showed more than ever who was the boss, dominating the Grizzies with a score of 113-97, to now count seven victories ahead of their evening opponents. Denver, however, barely led for the first three quarters, but then taught a lesson in the last, winning 33-17, in the wake of a Nikola Jokic who signs his 25th triple-double of the season: 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists! Ja Morant, who wore a mask following his broken nose on Wednesday, was unhindered and finished with 27 points and 10 assists. Despite everything, it is indeed the second place that the Grizzlies will have to aim for at the end of the season…

Brooklyn overthrows Boston

In the East, the poster of the night opposed Boston and Brooklyn, and the Nets ended their series of four defeats by going to win a very spectacular match, with the score of 105-115. While the Celtics led by 28 points midway through the second quarter, Jacque Vaughn’s players pulled off a magnificent comeback to equalize midway through the third quarter, and ultimately win by ten points. ! Mikal Bridges contributed greatly to this success, with 38 points and 10 rebounds (35pts for Jaylen Brown, 22 for Jayson Tatum). The other New York franchise, the Knicks, also won, with a score of 120-122 in Miami.

The Blue and Orange signed their eighth victory in a row, at the end of the suspense, Julius Randle offering success to his team at one second and seven tenths from the end on a three-point shot. He also finished with 43 points! It had been 50 years since the Knicks last had two streaks of eight wins in the same season…and 1973 was the year of their last title. What to give ideas to the men of Tom Thibodeau? Finally, note that during Atlanta’s 129-111 victory over Portland, Dejounte Murray offered his career best, with 41 points, 17 of 22 on shots.

NBA / REGULAR SEASON
Friday, March 3, 2023
Charlotte Hornets- Orlando Magic : 106-117
Théo Maledon (CHA) was not in the group

Miami Heat- New York Knicks : 120-122
Evan Fournier (NYK) did not play, by decision of the coach

Oklahoma City Thunder – Utah Jazz: 130-103
Ousmane Dieng’s stats (OKC): 21 minutes of play, 9 points (4/8 on shots including 0/3 to 3pts, 1/2 on free throws), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 lost ball, 2 fouls
Olivier Sarr (OKC) was not in the group

Sacramento Kings –Los Angeles Clippers: 128-127
Stats of Nicolas Batum (LAC): 37 minutes of play, 11 points (4/6 on shots including 3/5 at 3pts, 0 free throws attempted), 4 rebounds, 1 interception, 3 fouls
Moussa Diabaté (LAC) was not in the group

Los Angeles Lakers- Minnesota Timberwolves : 102-110
Rudy Gobert (MIN) stats: 27 minutes of play, 22 points (8/12 on shots including 0 3-point shots, 6/10 on free throws), 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 interception, 2 blocks, 1 lost ball , 4 faults

Boston Celtics- Brooklyn Nets : 105-115
Atlanta Hawks – Portland Trail Blazers: 129-111
Chicago Bulls- Phoenix Suns : 104-125
Golden State Warriors – New Orleans Pelicans: 108-99
Denver Nuggets –Memphis Grizzlies: 113-97