NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Cleveland retains the top spot in the East on Italian night of the NBA regular-season. In the big-match with Boston, the Cavaliers fend off the assault on the lead by the Celtics, who surrendered 115-111 with 35 points scored by Mitchell (33 by Tatum among the defending champions). First versus second also in the West, where the Houston Rockets beat Oklahoma City 118-85, thus very closely undermining the Thunder’s leadership in the West. What made the difference for the Texan franchise was the ‘hot hand’ of VanVleet, who scored a personal best of 38 points. Harden more and more in history: he poured in 39 points, dragged the Los Angeles Clippers to a 126-122 victory over the Denver Nuggets and, most importantly, with three triples he became the second player ever, after Curry, to surpass the 3,000 mark from long distance. Useless, for the Colorado quintet, were the 28 points stamped by Jokic. Heart-pounding outside affirmations for the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, who won 105-104 and 100-92, respectively, on the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets hardwoods. Among the Californians, 60 total points from the Davis-James pair, the Florida team makes the big splash despite 46 from the Johnson-Schroder duo. Also partying away from home are San Antonio and Dallas: the Spurs violate the Sacramento Kings’ facility 127-125 with 34 points from a wild Wembanyama, while the Mavericks conquer the Portland Trail Blazers’ court 137-131 taking advantage of the scoring streak of Doncic and Grimes, who scored 36 and 28 points. Taking advantage of the warmth of the home crowd were the Memphis Grizzlies, who won without any particular problems over the Indiana Pacers 136-121 with 25 points by Jackson; home victories also for the New York Knicks (118-85 over the New Orleans Pelicans) and the Toronto Raptors (119-116 over the Miami Heat).- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
