NBA: Thunder and Lakers unstoppable, Boston blow in Cleveland

Seven games played on NBA night. Twelfth consecutive win for the Oklahoma City Thunder who folded the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center (123-115), led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who scored 26 points and provided 5 assists. The defending champions are increasingly first in the Western Conference standings. Neither do the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the New Orleans Pelicans (133-121) at home. Dragging the yellowviola, deprived of LeBron James, who was left to rest, was the usual Luka Doncic, author of 34 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, but Austin Reaves also proved to be a factor with 33 points and 8 assists.

Moving to the East, blowout of the Boston Celtics who conquered the Cleveland Cavaliers’ court imposing themselves by a narrow margin (117-115), dragged by a resounding Payton Pritchard who scored 42 points with 6 triples made, helped by Jaylen Brown who, with 19 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds, signed his fourth career triple-double. The New York Knicks also won – fourth win in a row – against the Toronto Raptors (116-94), leapfrogging them into second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Contributing to the Knicks’ success was Josh Hart, who came close to a triple-double (20 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists).

Finally, it goes to the Atlanta Hawks the’incredible fight with the Philadelphia 76ers. Atlanta prevailed only in the second overtime led by a monstrous Jalen Johnson who scored 41 points, captured 14 rebounds and dished out 7 assists. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the San Antonio Spurs (125-112) with a 32-point Anthony Edwards, while the Memphis Grizzlies routed Sacramento (115-107) thanks to Zach Edey’s double-double (32 points and 17 rebounds). Success away from home also for the Houston Rockets, who overcame the Utah Jazz (129-101) on Sunday night thanks to Kevin Durant’s 25 points.