Los Angeles (AFP)
A big-time James Harden, Austin Rivers, who plays his father's Doc and Rockets who win the West's clash with the Clippers: a roundup in Houston and elsewhere of Wednesday night in the NBA.
- The boss -
In MVP mode, "the beard" scored 47 points to help Houston defeat the Clippers (102-93). A victory that took shape in the last minutes, during which he scored two baskets at three points (7 in total).
Consequence: Houston now shares 2nd place in the West with Utah.
Sign of the rise in power of Harden, his address is more accurate around the 50% success in shooting for two games, after being harvested so far. He logically reinforces his leadership in the ranking of the best scorers with 38.2 points of average after 11 matches.
Only the great Wilt Chamberlain did better (50.3 points in 1962, 44.8 in 1963, 38.3 in 1961) at a very different time, Michael Jordan having peaked "only" 37 points in 1987 .
"It's not like we have not seen this kind of thing before," said coach Mike D'Antoni. "We'll see him do it again, he's amazing, just a master of the game."
What sickening Clippers of a Kawhi Leonard slightly blunt (26 pts, 12 rbds, 7 passes all the same) and their trainer Doc Rivers, excluded for contestation and at the same time mocked by ... his son Austin who claimed the sanction.
"It's a very good time, I really enjoyed it, I'm not going to lie to you," laughed Houston's back, commenting on this funny sequence.
- The leader -
Anthony Davis lost after a win to Phoenix in the win at Phoenix, LeBron James quietly led the Lakers to a second win in a row against Golden State (120-94).
The "King" did the main thing with 25 points and 12 assists, well supported by his interiors JaVale McGee (18 pts, 16 rbds) and Dwight Howard (15 pts, 8 rbds), to keep LA alone in the lead. Where is. In contrast, the Warriors remain stuck at an inconvenient last place with this 10th setback.
- Series -
And a 9th consecutive victory for Boston, who won (140-133) against Washington, accentuating his dominance in the East conference.
With a 17-point lead, the C's left their opponents back to -4 at just over a minute to play. That's when Kemba Walker scored his sixth basket at three points (25 in total) to avoid a big disappointment.
Note the productive nine minutes of Vincent Poirier (3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 against) and the 44 points ultimately insufficient Bradley Beal side Wizards.
- The "clutch" -
Ja Morant is 20 years old, making his rookie season and already knows how to win his team at the last second. His penetration in the midst of three Charlotte players, punctuated by a windmill "jordanesque", air conditioned room Hornets and ensured victory in Memphis (119-117).
Author of 23 points and 11 assists, he made a remarkable score. No luck on the part of this leader, drafted in 2nd position by the Grizzlies, who had already been decisive a fortnight ago by countering the shoot in the last moments of Kyrie Irving during the victory against Brooklyn.
- Absence -
Without Joel Embiid, Philadelphia is not the same team. In the absence of the pivot, preserved due to a painful knee, it was seen in Orlando where the Sixers cracked in the last quarter-time (112-97).
The Magic made the difference thanks to Nikola Vucevic (25 pts, 10 rebounds), well surrounded by six teammates at least 11 points, including Evan Fournier (13 pts, 3 assists, 2 rbds).
The results of the North American Basketball Championship (NBA) after the games played on Wednesday:
Boston - Washington 140 - 133
LA Lakers - Golden State 120 - 94
Portland - Toronto 106 - 114
Minnesota - San Antonio 129 - 114
Charlotte - Memphis 117 - 119
Orlando - Philadelphia 112 - 97
Houston - LA Clippers 102 - 93
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