NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Boston tries to defend its second position in the East from the Knicks’ onslaught but it takes a basket by Tatum less than a second from the buzzer to fold 118-116 a New Orleans re-staffed and at its fifth consecutive defeat. Brown (28 points) and Tatum himself (27 points) were decisive for the Celtics, Murphy (40 points) the best for the Pelicans who also lost Dejounte Murray on the road. The great protagonist of the Nba night, however, is Victor Wembanyama, devastating in San Antonio’s overwhelming 144-118 victory over Milwaukee: 30 points, 14 rebounds and 6 stoppages for the French center, who drags the Spurs to their second success in seven games, with the Bucks collapsing despite Antetokounmpo’s 35 points and 13 rebounds and the contributions of Lillard (22 points) and Middleton (21). Wembanyama will be among the stars of the upcoming All Star Game as will Cade Cunningham, who celebrates being named among the reserves by signing 40 points (plus six rebounds and four assists) in Detroit’s 117-102 win over Dallas. The Pistons return to smiles after three consecutive knockouts even though Simone Fontecchio remains somewhat in the shadows: four points with 1/6 from the field (0/3 from beyond the arc) and 2/2 from the lunette, two rebounds, one assist and two recovered balls in 16 minutes. For the Mavs, who slipped to ninth in the Western Conference, 28 points from Irving and 22 from Washington. Jokic came close to his 22nd triple-double of the season (28 points, 13 assists and 9 rebounds) but he was decisive in Denver’s 137-134 interruption of Philadelphia’s positive mini streak: his triple with 39″ to go broke the balance, with Murray (31 points and 11 assists) completing the job at the free throw line while a 42-point, 9-assist Maxey was not enough for the Sixers to secure their fourth consecutive victory. Powell (27 points) and Leonard (21 points) dragged the Clippers (112-104 over Charlotte) while Phoenix took advantage of Curry’s bad night (14 points with 1/6 from three) to tick off Golden State 130-105 with 31 points and 11 assists from Booker and 19 points from former Durant. Toronto’s positive series is interrupted after 5 games, beaten 122-106 by Chicago: White (25 points) among the Bulls and Barnes (20 points and 10 rebounds) in the Raptors’ ranks the best.- photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
