As since the start of the season, Jayson Tatum was decisive (29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) and helped his team win despite the absence of two “C’s” starters, Jaylen Brown (ill) and Kristaps Porzingis (hit to the right knee). Without them, Derrick White took the light with 27 points, including 14 in the last quarter, and 5 assists. “There are many of us on the team who can achieve great things. I had played badly in the last few days, I really wanted to achieve what I am capable of,” he commented.
Above all, the Celtics managed to contain the opposing pivot Joel Embiid, MVP 2023, who scored “only” 20 points (9 rebounds), his lowest total of the season. Boston, unfortunate finalist of the play-offs of the Eastern Conference in the spring against Miami, was able to build its success with a superb first quarter (37-22). With 9 wins and 2 losses, Boston takes sole lead in the Eastern Conference ahead of the 76ers (8-3).
Another favorite team in the east, the Milwaukee Bucks, deprived of the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, on rest, were able to count on their new leader Damian Lillard (37 points, 13 assists) to knock out Toronto 128 to 112. Named rookie of the year last season, Paolo Banchero gave the Orlando Magic victory against Chicago (96-94) with a final basket less than two seconds from the end of the match, a few seconds after Zach LaVine’s spectacular equalizer who hoped to send the Bulls to overtime.
Twenty-four hours after being the victim of a spectacular strangulation by Draymond Green (Warriors), suspended five games, Rudy Gobert (4 points, 8 rebounds) lost with Minnesota in Phoenix (133-115), stopping the series at seven of Wolves victories.