In the clash at the top of the Eastern Conference, Boston defeated Milwaukee (119-116) thanks in particular to a superb first quarter (29-17), being able to count on Jaylen Brown (26 points), its star Jayson Tatum ( 23 points, 11 rebounds) and pivot Kristaps Porzingis (21 points).

With 12 wins and 3 losses, the Celtics have the best record in the entire NBA. “It’s just been a collective effort. We bounced back, closed ranks after the last match,” lost in Charlotte on Monday, Tatum appreciated.

The champion Denver, despite the triple-double of Nikola Jokic (30 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists) fell for the 5th time of the season to Orlando (124-119), who signed a 5th victory in a row thanks to Franz Wagner (27 points) and Paolo Banchero (23 points) in particular.

Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves (31 points) consolidated their position as leader in the west thanks to their 112-99 victory against Philadelphia, deprived of 2023 MVP Joel Embiid (hip). The youth of the Oklahoma City Thunder are in 2nd place after a 6th consecutive success against Chicago (116-102), driven by the enthusiasm of its Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (40 points, 12 assists).

Mikal Bridges scored the highlight of the evening (45 points, 10 rebounds) but lost with his Brooklyn Nets after overtime (147-145) against Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks (43 points).

Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs, last in the west, suffered a 10th consecutive defeat (3 wins – 12 losses in total) by losing at home against the Los Angeles Clippers (109-102). There was improvement, however, after the rout suffered Monday against the same opponent (124-99), who was able to rely on his stars Paul George (24 points) and Kawhi Leonard (26 points). Wembanyama notably finished as his team’s top scorer with 22 points, 15 rebounds, his NBA record, 3 assists and 3 blocks, notably highlighting himself on some spectacular dunks and a bloody end to the match.

“Can we stop whistling and let these guys play,” experienced Spurs coach Gregg Popovich asked his supporters in the middle of the match, at the stadium microphone. The coach challenged the crowd during the 2nd quarter before free throws from his ex-protege Kawhi Leonard, whistled by his ex-fans since his stormy departure in 2018. “It’s not class, it’s not who we are,” Popovich thundered, annoyed. “Anyone who knows a little about sport knows that you must not tickle your opponent,” at the risk of motivating him, the legendary coach soberly commented at a press conference. “It’s like that, it’s one of the best crowds in the league, they want to win, I can hear it on the field,” Leonard told him. “But in the street or in the restaurant they always show me that they appreciate me.”

Tonight’s results :Phoenix-Golden State 123-115LA Lakers-Dallas 101-104Boston-Milwaukee 119-116Atlanta-Brooklyn 147-145 (a. p.)Cleveland-Miami 96-129Indiana-Toronto 131-132Portland-Utah 121-1 5San Antonio- LA Clippers 102-109Houston-Memphis 111-91Minnesota-Philadelphia 112-99The New Orleans-Sacramento 117-112Oklahoma City-Chicago 116-102Charlotte-Washington 117-114Orlando-Denver 124-119