After being up to 22 points behind in the second quarter, the Nuggets finally won at home 125-119 against the Toronto Raptors, a third consecutive victory which allows them to move up to second place in the conference West (45 v. – 20 l.). Great architect of this victory, the Serbian Nikola Jokic recorded a nice triple double (35 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, but also 6 interceptions and 2 blocks).
Another European player in great form, Dallas’ Slovenian point guard Luka Doncic recorded his seventh consecutive triple double, his 17th of the season, with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists to lead Dallas to a quiet 127-92 victory in Chicago. Eighths in the West (37 v. – 28 l.). The Mavericks are chasing the Suns of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, victorious in Cleveland 117-111, and holders with 6th place in the Western Conference (38 v. – 27 d.) of the last ticket offering a direct place in the play-offs, without going through the play-in roadblocks.
Well ahead of the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics recorded their 50th victory of the season (for 14 defeats) on Monday evening by easily winning 121-99 in Portland. Jaylen Brown (27 points) and Jayson Tatum (26 points) finished as the C’s top scorers, currently leading the entire NBA, a ranking that would guarantee them home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs.
Beaten on Saturday at home by the San Antonio Spurs, the Warriors, although deprived of the injured Stephen Curry, took their revenge on Monday, winning 112-102 in Texas, spoiling the return to the floor of Victor Wembanyama, absent for two games because of a sprained right ankle. Despite 27 points and 14 rebounds, the number 1 of the last draft could not prevent his team from suffering their 51st defeat of the season (for 14 victories).