Los Angeles (AFP)

Kawhi Leonard discreet but winner of his former team, Toronto defending champion, with the Clippers, Boston stronger than the only Luka Doncic in Dallas, Rudy Gobert and Utah who sink Golden State: an overview of the American night in the NBA.

. Reunion

Kawhi Leonard, who tries to make history for never-crowned Clippers, found the Toronto Raptors he wrote the best page last season, with the end of the first title won by the Canadian franchise. And if it was not sparkling offensively (12 pts to 2 of 11, 9 losses of ball), his 11 rebounds and 9 assists, two of which decisive in the last moments, showed his will not to let go .

It had to be that and a Lou Williams to 21 points out of bench, in front of a team that had imposed itself 48 hours earlier in this same Staples Center in front of the other host of the places, the Lakers, and finally beaten ( 98-88) after cracking in the 4th quarter (25-10).

Here are the Clippers with seven wins (3 losses) in the top of the standings in the West. Only downside, the exit on injury Landry Shamet, poorly fallen on an ankle. Toronto has the same record.

. Series

And 8 wins in a row for Boston! The Celtics, thanks to Kemba Walker's two-pointer Kemba Walker's two-pointers (29 pts, 8 of 14 long-distance), his new home specialist, defeated Dallas (116-106) and the Slovenian star Luka Doncic, still the author of an impressive match at 34 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds.

Despite the announcement just before the match of the absence of Gordon Hayward (broken hand) for at least six weeks and a Jayson Tatum missed his match (3 pts to 1/18 shooting), Boston showed of thickness and a steel mind, unlike Mavs certainly penalized by the disappointing match of Kristaps Porzingis (4 pts).

Although Doncic had imitated Michael Jordan, celebrating one of his baskets in the same way - he spread his arms and nodded as if to signify the helplessness of his opponents - it was not enough to prevent Boston from taking a little ahead of the East Conference on Milwaukee and Toronto.

. The perf

It's a habit, when Houston plays, whatever the outcome, James Harden scores a lot. But this time, "The Beard" has added the address to its effectiveness, since its 39 points result from a 13 out of 25 shots, to which must be added 9 passes. This will strengthen his position as undisputed top scorer in the League (37.3 pts average this season).

Harden was less spoiled than in his first games and the Rockets won (122-116) against New Orleans, also thanks to the 26 points of Russell Westbrook and the 11 points and 20 rebounds of Clint Capela.

. The other Frenchie

While in San Antonio, a tribute was paid to Tony Parker, whose jersey number 9 was removed, another French distinguished himself on the floor, since Rudy Gobert has achieved his best game of the season with Utah, winner at Golden State (122-108).

The pivot scored 25 points (11 of 12 shots), took 14 rebounds and inflicted 2 blocks. His rise is evident, quite the opposite of Warriors who conceded their 9th defeat of the season (last to the West), while their injured star, Stephen Curry, said hope to return to the floor around the spring. Or a few weeks before play-offs that may become inaccessible well before that.

© 2019 AFP