The Clippers won the Los Angeles classic; Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander shined

Los Angeles Clippers took home the first city classic of the season this Sunday against the Lakers played at the Intuit Dome, on an NBA day in which Nikola Jokic directed to Denver Nuggets with his seventeenth triple-double of the campaign in the victory against Orlando Magic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander guide to Oklahoma City Thundercomfortable leader of the West, to victory against Brooklyn Nets.
The Intuit Dome, the $2 billion stadium that the Clippers opened this year, hosted their first Los Angeles derby and the locals beat the Lakers for the thirteenth time in the last 16 meetings.
Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double of 21 points and 19 rebounds (8 offensive), Norman Powell scored 22 points, James Harden contributed 21 points and 12 assists and Kawhi Leonard shone with 19 points in 27 minutes for the Clippers.
The Lakers gave up despite 25 points and 11 assists from LeBron James, who at the end of the game congratulated Zubac for his great performance. Anthony Davis had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Serbian Nikola Jokic starred in his seventeenth triple-double of the season, with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the Nuggets’ victory on their visit to the Magic.
The three-time MVP connected on seven of his nine field goals and did not attempt three-pointers.
Christian Braun achieved a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jamal Murray contributed 19 points for the Nuggets, fourth in the West with 26 wins and 16 losses.
Wendell Carter led the Magic with 16 points, on a night in which the Florida team shot 36% from the field.
Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the victory of the Thunder, leader of the West with a balance of 35 wins and 7 losses, with a double-double of 27 points and 10 assists.
OKC dominated the game from the beginning and was already 20 points ahead after the first period. Mark Daigneault’s team had a 29-point margin against the Nets who were never ahead on the scoreboard. The Thunder continue to fly despite the absences of Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams.
With this victory, Daigneault assured himself of being the coach of one of the four teams that will play the All-Star Game on February 16 in San Francisco.
The Heat overwhelmed the Spurs, fueled by rookie Kel’el Ware’s 25 points, in the Texans’ last game before their trip to Paris for a regular-season doubleheader against the Indiana Pacers.
Jimmy Butler, in his second game after being suspended for conduct that was detrimental to the Heat, contributed 8 points and 7 assists in 27 minutes.
Duncan Robinson excelled with 20 points for the Heat with five of seven in triples, while Frenchman Victor Wembanyama had a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs.
Joel Embiid missed his eighth consecutive game due to a knee injury and the 76ers are still in free fall after suffering their sixth straight loss in Milwaukee.
The Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo had a double-double of 35 points and 15 rebounds, while Damian Lillard contributed 25 points. The Bucks have won four in a row and are putting pressure on the New York Knicks for third place in the East.
The 76ers also couldn’t count on Paul George and gave up despite Tyrese Maxey’s 37 points.
Domantas Sabonis led the Kings’ victory over the Wizards with a double-double of 27 points and 18 rebounds. The Californian team has nine wins in its last ten games and relaunched its ambitions to compete in the playoffs in the West.
The Wizards have ten consecutive losses and are last in the East with 6 wins and 35 losses.
Scoot Henderson scored 25 points and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a five-game losing streak with the win over the Chicago Bulls.
Deni Avdija contributed a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Zach LaVine scored 27 points for the Bulls, who lost their fifth straight game.