From Nikola Jokic to Oklahoma City Thunder: another fantastic night in the NBA
The Serbian Nikola Jokic chained his third consecutive triple double and ninth of the seasonin an NBA day marked by a new victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder to the rhythm of Shai Gilgeous Alexanderprotagonist with another 33 points.
Jokic led the 125-118 victory of the Nuggets at the New Orleans Pelicans stadium with 28 points, eleven rebounds and twelve assists in 34 minutes on the court.
Just 24 hours earlier, Jokic had posted 36 points, 18 rebounds and thirteen assists in a home loss against the Chicago Bulls.
The Serbian intern, triple NBA MVP, has nine triple doubles in fourteen games played this season.
The Nuggets have a record of eleven wins and three losses that leaves them second in the NBA West, only behind the unstoppable OKC Thunder (15-1).
The NBA champions did not fail at home against Sacramento Kings (113-99)with 33 points (12 of 24 shooting) and eight rebounds from Gilgeous Alexander.
The Canadian scored 30 or more points in thirteen of the 16 games played this year.
Against the Kings, he was supported by Chet Holmgren with 21 points and seven rebounds to give OKC its seventh consecutive victory.
A Heat-Warriors with a taste of less
Miami Heat triumphed 110-96 at home against the Warriors full of casualties, headed by those of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butlerwho missed the possible reunion with the franchise that he left last year amidst controversy.
Norman Powell scored 17 of his 25 points in a spectacular fourth quarter and led Miami’s victory with ten of fourteen field goals and four of seven three-pointers.
Bam Adebayo contributed 9 of his 20 points in the decisive quarter, while Andrew Wiggins added 17. Mexican Jaime Jáquez Jr contributed 12 points and 7 assists.
The Heat beat the Warriors without Curry, Butler, Draymond Green or Al Horford.
The Rockets and the Knicks won
In a duel of leading teams, both in the West and in the East, the Houston Rockets achieved their fifth win in a row by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers as a visitor (114-104). The best player was the Turkish Alperen Sengun, author of 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Kevin Durant was not very precise with his shots (6-18 in TC), but he still reached 20 points.
On the other hand, the New York Knicks, who had Jalen Brunson return to action after recovering from a sprained ankle, defeated Dallas Mavericks as a visitor (113-111). Brunson was precisely the top scorer on Mike Brown’s team, registering 28 points and five assists for his personal score.
The number one pick in the Draft, Cooper Flagg, did not play due to injury.
Among the other results of the night, Indiana Pacers ended their eight-game losing streak thanks to its 127-118 to Charlotte Hornets.
The Pacers played in the NBA Finals last year, but saw their ambitions melt away this season after Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tendon injury.
Against the Hornets, Indiana’s best was Bennedict Mathurin with a double double of 24 points and twelve reboundswhile Pascal Siakam contributed 22 points.
Minnesota Timberwolves imposed his law against Washington Wizards (32 points and 10 rebounds from Julius Randle), and Toronto Raptors raid Philadelphia 76ers home (112-121 with 22 points from RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram).
