Los Angeles (AFP)
James Harden dizzying in Houston's big eight, Luka Doncic prodigious with Dallas, and the precious Holiday siblings for Indiana: Monday's games in the NBA have had their share of splinters.
. Series
In the Western Conference, Houston went on to win an eighth consecutive victory in Portland (132-108) at Toyota Center. Russell Westbrook, who arrived from the Thunder this summer, had a triple-double and James Harden scored 36 points in 33 minutes.
On the latter, his coach Mike D'Antoni, once again confirmed his belief that the MVP of the 2017-2018 season, aged 30, is the best offensive player he has ever seen. "I do not have the words, what he does is incredible," said D'Antoni.
On the side of the Rockets, the pivot Clint Capela effectively completed the table (22 points, 20 rebounds and 4 counters).
The Blazers, unable to contain multiple threats, were able to rely on the 25 points of CJ McCollum, but his teammate Damian Lillard was held in respect with only 13 points. Portland now has five wins and nine losses.
. The Prodigy
Already the sixth triple-double of the season in Dallas' success against San Antonio (117-110), Luka Doncic, 20 years and 263 days, once again justified his nickname "Wonder Boy".
The 42 points of the career-record Slovenian prodigy make him the second youngest player in NBA history to achieve a triple-double at least forty points behind LeBron James, who was 20 years and 100 days old. he succeeded in 2005.
"It's not surprising to me," said Rick Carlisle, the Mavericks coach. "This guy can do anything he wants on a basketball court," he said of the former Real Madrid, chosen in 3rd position of the Draft 2018 by the Hawks but exchanged in stride against Trae Young.
Sacred "Rookie of the Year" the past season, Doncic seems to have already made an appointment with the "All Star Game".
. The two brothers
The brothers Aaron and Justin Holiday were decisive in Indiana's victory in Brooklyn (115-86). Aaron, the 23-year-old leader, signed the best game of his career with 24 points and 13 assists. Justin, the 30-year-old back, has signed 20 valuable points, with a four-of-six-to-three-point.
Even if the star of the Holiday family remains by far Jrue, the leader "All Star" Pelicans, the performance of his two brothers allows the Pacers to rank 6th in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets, they are stuck in 9th place. Symbol of their difficulties, Kenny Atkinson's men missed twelve shots in a row in the first quarter-time ...
. The Clippers a hair
Without Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers struggled to get out of Oklahoma City (90-88) at Staples Center. The Thunder's defenseman Paul George (18 points, 7 rebounds) has been in on his last outings and it's Montrezl Harrell (18 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) who held the house in the Doc Rivers.
Faced with the former Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari, rather brightly, the coach of the California franchise has had recourse to a challenge, happily validated, after a whistle to Moe Harkless in the final seconds, which would offer two throws in Oklahoma City.
With 9 wins against five losses, the Clippers are alone in 4th place in the West.
. Gobert beaten
With Andrew Wiggins out, Minnesota managed to win on the Utah floor (112-102) thanks to a very good Karl-Anthony Towns (29 points, 13 rebounds) that took over from his counterpart. Jazz, the French Rudy Gobert (16 points and 14 rebounds).
In the "Money Time", Towns rocked the game by passing three three-point shots. The Timberwolves confirm their inconstant naturalness after their wide-back Saturday at home against Washington (137-116).
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