Oklahoma City doesn’t stop now, downed Warriors

There were six games played in the NBA night. The Philadelphia 76ers beat as predicted on the eve of the game the Washington Wizards 121-102 stretching already in the first two quarters. The guests tried to come back in the third quarter but it was in this part that Tyrese Maxey scored 20 of his 35 total points. Instead, the Toronto Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers at the last gasp 121-118, rallying to -2 with 1’18” to go but Brandon Ingram, who finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds, came up with the decisive plays. For the Canadians, also 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists with 10 of 18 from the field for Scottie Barnes, the guests didn’t need 25 from Deni Avdija and 23 off the bench from Shaedon Sharpe.

The baskets in the finale by Jaylen Brown, who finished with 42 points, decided the matchup between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks 123-117 in favor of the former, who won the fourth of their last five games. Also crucial was Derrick White, 7 of his 22 points in the last four minutes of the game. For New York, on the other hand, bad shooting night, 6 of 21 from the field and 15 points, for Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges’ 35 with 8 of 12 from three was not enough. The Minnesota Timberwolves won in overtime 149-142 on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans with Anthony Edwards scoring 34 of his 44 points in the second half while also scoring the game-deciding basket in overtime, in which Julius Randle was decisive with 8 of his 16 points. The Pelicans are on their 13th loss in their last 14 games and Trey Murphy III’s 33 points and 15 rebounds are useless for them.

With 31 points from Harrison Barnes and 29 from De’Aaron Fox, the San Antonio Spurs earned their sixth win out of eight games in which their star, the injured Victor Wembanyama, did not play, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 126-119. For the Texans also 15 points and 6 assists by rookie Dylan Harper starting from the bench, for the Tennessee franchise 19 points and 15 rebounds by Zach Edey. To top it off, the Oklahoma City Thunder confirmed that they are the best team in the league by stringing together their 13th consecutive victory and 21st in 22 games: they swept the Golden State Warriors’ parquet 124-112 thanks to the usual Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, author of 38 points. For the Californians, 68 points from the “benchers” were not enough: the absence of Steph Curry was felt very much.