Leader of the Eastern Conference with the best record in the entire NBA (42 v. – 12 l.) Boston won a fifth victory in a row 118-110 on the floor of the Brooklyn Nets, thanks in particular to its winger Jayson Tatum (41 points, 14 rebounds), well helped by the other members of the C’s major five (Brown, Horford, White, Holiday), all with 14 points or more.
In the West, the day after a convincing success on the Clippers floor, the Timberwolves consolidated their first place (38 v. – 16 l.) by winning 121-109 against the weak Portland TrailBlazers, with, there also, 41 points from Anthony Edwards, and a solid double-double from their French pivot Rudy Gobert (16 points, 15 rebounds). Second in the conference, Oklahoma City also won 127-113, on the Orlando floor, with 32 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 33 from Jalen Williams, spoiling the evening for Magic fans, which began with the withdrawal of N.32 by Shaquille O’Neal, their legendary pivot from the 1990s.
Still struggling despite the recent arrival of their new coach Doc Rivers, the Bucks collapsed at home against Miami 123-97. With six players at 12 points or more, and a formidable three-point skill (19/40, or 47.5% success), the Floridians defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo (23 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) and his team , third in the East, and who have only won four of their last ten matches.
Despite Domantas Sabonis still in the oven and in the mill (35 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 blocks), the Sacramento Kings left Phoenix with a 130-125 defeat. The Suns, fifth in the Western Conference, were able to count on Kevin Durant (28 points, 11 rebounds) and Devin Booker (25 points, 9 assists), but they lost Bradley Beal in the first quarter, injured in a muscle tibial hamstring. In Los Angeles, LeBron James’ Lakers (25 points, 8 assists) also won 125-111 against the Pistons.
