The Clippers see their streak of six victories come to an end despite Kawhi Leonard (22 PTS – 6/17 FG – 2/8 3-PTS – 3 AST – 3 STL) and John Collins perfect almost throughout (22 PTS – 9/10 FG – 3/3 3-PTS). James Harden (18 PTS – 7/15 FG – 12 AST) distributed, but LA cracked under the offensive deluge, with Derrick Jones Jr. out with a knee injury in the 4th quarter.
Back after an absence (ankle), Stephen Curry revived Golden State: 20 points in the 3rd quarter, two award-winning shots to take the lead, and the Warriors beat Utah 123-114 with the return of their executives after the slap the day before against OKC.Curry signed 31 PTS – 8/18 FG – 6/12 3-PTS – 5 AST – 1 STL, helped by Jimmy Butler (15 PTS – 4/9 FG – 7 AST – 3 STL). Draymond Green was sent off again before the break (two technicals), and despite 14 lost balls, Golden State held on. Opposite, Lauri Markkanen shone in the 1st half (35 PTS – 15/27 FG – 2/8 3-PTS – 6 REB) and Keyonte George added 22 PTS – 7/18 FG – 4/9 3-PTS – 9 AST.
Dallas stopped its black streak by dominating Houston 110-104, after seeing its +17 from the start of the 4th melt to 106-101 with 1:07 remaining, before Max Christie’s dunk to seal the match. Anthony Davis carried the Mavs (26 PTS – 9/15 FG – 12 REB – 5 BLK – TO 5) and Christie punished (24 PTS – 10/13 FG – 4/6 3-PTS – 7 REB). Houston paid the huge blow from the start: Alperen Sengun left after 1:04 (sprained ankle), in a squad already without Steven Adams.Kevin Durant kept the Rockets afloat, playing the entire 2nd half with four fouls (34 PTS – 14/26 FG – 7 AST – 3 BLK), supported by Amen Thompson (20 PTS – 8/18 FG – 12 REB – 4 AST – 3 STL) and Tari Eason (19 PTS – 7/17 FG – 3/6 3-PTS – 10 REB). But Dallas’ skill (55% against 39%) and its control of money time tipped the scales, despite Houston’s 17 offensive rebounds.
Minnesota broke the Heat’s four-game winning streak by winning 125-115 in Miami, blowing up the match at the start of the 4th quarter: a 19-4 run in 4’30 to transform a small +4 into 109-90. Anthony Edwards set the tone (33 PTS – 10/19 FG – 2/8 3-PTS – 5 AST) and Naz Reid finished the job with 20 points after the break (29 PTS – 10/15 FG – 4/7 3-PTS – 2 BLK). Julius Randle completed the trio (23 PTS – 10/17 FG – 2/6 3-PTS – 10 REB – 4 AST).Miami held on as best they could behind Norman Powell (21 PTS – 6/13 FG – 2/6 3-PTS) and Davion Mitchell (14 PTS – 6/10 FG – 2/4 3-PTS – 6 AST), but never resisted the final break, in a match marked by the exit of Jaime Jaquez Jr. with a sprained ankle.
Philadelphia won again at the Garden, 130-119, taking the advantage for good with a 9-0 in the 2nd quarter after being led 38-37, then managing New York’s last push. Tyrese Maxey led the charge (36 PTS – 14/22 FG – 6/9 3-PTS – 8 REB – 4 AST), with a still solid Joel Embiid (26 PTS – 9/15 FG – 10 REB – 5 AST) and sharp VJ Edgecombe (26 PTS – 10/16 FG – 4/9 3-PTS – 2 STL – 2 BLK).The Knicks came together in sequences (up to 121-114), but the response was immediate: LF from Maxey, layup from Quentin Grimes then dunk from Edgecombe to seal the deal. Jalen Brunson carried New York (31 PTS – 10/21 FG – 2/4 3-PTS), Karl-Anthony Towns continued after his return (23 PTS – 6/16 FG – 14 REB) and Deuce McBride weighed in (20 PTS – 6/9 FG – 5/7 3-PTS), but insufficient against the long distance address of the Sixers (17/36).
Portland held on to San Antonio 115-110 behind the triple-double of Deni Avdija, leader of a match controlled almost from start to finish (the Blazers were only led 18 seconds). The turning point: after the only passage in front of the Spurs at 74-71, Sidy Cissoko responded immediately with a 3-pt and Portland went on a 12-0 run straddling the 3rd and 4th quarters to take the lead (93-80). Avdija did everything (29 PTS – 9/23 FG – 3/6 3-PTS – 11 REB – 10 AST) and Donovan Clingan delivered his best game (24 PTS – 9/12 FG – 3/5 3-PTS – 12 REB), with a solid Toumani Camara (20 PTS – 7/11 FG – 5/9 3-PTS – 8 REB).Deprived of Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, San Antonio came back to 111-110 on a steal from De’Aaron Fox for a dunk from Stephon Castle at 1:36, without managing to get back in front. Luke Kornet (23 PTS – 10/12 FG – 8 REB – 5 BLK) and Julian Champagnie (20 PTS – 8/14 FG – 4/9 3-PTS – 10 REB) carried the Texans, but the long distance address of the Blazers (19/45) made the difference.
Charlotte overthrew Chicago 112-99 after being up to 15 PTS behind, turning the match into a one-sided 3rd quarter (32-17) before driving home the point with a 10-0 in the 4th, sealed by a fadeaway from Brandon Miller for 105-87 at 4:01. Miles Bridges dominated (26 PTS – 11/18 FG – 3/7 3-PTS – 14 REB) and Miller was the trigger for the run (22 PTS – 8/19 FG – 4/10 3-PTS), with LaMelo Ball as conductor (17 PTS – 7/15 FG – 3/8 3-PTS – 6 REB – 7 AST).Chicago, still deprived of Josh Giddey and Coby White, lived on Nikola Vucevic (28 PTS – 11/15 FG – 3/4 3-PTS – 7 REB – 8 AST) and Matas Buzelis (17 PTS – 6/16 FG – 2/8 3-PTS), but collapsed at address (5/23 in the 3rd quarter) and on the rebound (52-43), despite Dosunmu’s heat stroke before the break.
Toronto made the difference in the 4th quarter to beat Atlanta 134-117. A 16-0 start to the period taking advantage of six missed shots in a row from the Hawks. RJ Barrett signed his season record (29 PTS – 11/19 FG – 4/8 3-PTS – 4 REB) and Brandon Ingram was ultra-effective (29 PTS – 11/15 FG – 9 REB), with a solid Scottie Barnes (20 PTS – 8/14 FG – 7 REB – 4 AST – 3 STL – 2 BLK).Atlanta remained in contact thanks to Nickeil Alexander-Walker (31 PTS – 10/19 FG – 6/11 3-PTS – TO 6) and Jalen Johnson (30 PTS – 10/21 FG – 4/9 3-PTS – 7 REB – 9 AST), but never regained its defensive impact from the day before, without Trae Young. Sandro Mamukelashvili also weighed in coming off the bench (13 PTS – 5/10 FG – 12 REB – 8 AST).
