Los Angeles (AFP)

The Clippers' hard-won victory against the Celtics, the Rockets momentum stopped in Denver, the disconcerting ease of Luka Doncic: Wednesday's NBA highlights.

. The dual

For their first game together with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had to work to overcome (107-104), after extra time, Celtics came to prove, as undisputed leaders in the East, they did not have much to envy to western contenders.

In this match-up match-up, the two stars played the shoots pretty well, but with a poor shooting success: George (25 pts to 8/18), Leonard (17 pts to 7/20) . But Kawhi was instrumental in countering Kemba Walker's ultimate shoot at the buzzer.

Boston, in the wake of an excellent Jayson Tatum (30 pts) finally gave in after important baskets of warrior Patrick Beverley and the indispensable sixth man Lou Williams (27 pts), symbols of a collective Angelino cut for the quest of the title.

. The stop

The Rockets' move, which remained on eight wins, was worth testing in Denver. And the Nuggets showed them that it will be necessary to count on them in the West, by winning (105-95).

James Harden, who is currently averaging 40 points, was content with 27 this time, 50% shooting. Less greedy, he shot only 16 times, sharing the ball with Russell Westbrook much less adroit (25 pts, 8/22).

Opposite, Denver dictated the tempo and Nikola Jokic was particularly illustrated (27 pts, 12 rbds). As a result, the Colorado franchise is the new dolphin of the Lakers.

. The alien

Luka Doncic, 35 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, became the fastest player in history to complete a triple-double with at least 30 points in just 26 minutes, during Dallas' correction to Golden State ( 142-94).

The best rookie of last season is 7 "TD" in 14 games. In the history of the NBA, only the legendary Oscar Robertson, recordman in the matter (181), did better (11) on the same beginning of season.

A speed that rhymes with precocity since before even celebrating its 21 years (February 28), Doncic has 15 triples-doubles. Magic Johnson and LeBron James had only managed "only" 7 and 5 before their majority.

The first quarter of the Slovenian against the Warriors was perfect with 22 points (6/7 shots including 5/6 behind the arc), the record of the season on the first 12 minutes.

With this 13th loss, the heaviest of the Steve Kerr era (48 points difference), Golden State remains stuck in the abyss.

. impotence

The Spurs can not do it. In Washington, against a team from the bottom of the table, however worn by a prolific Bradley Beal (33 pts), they conceded their seventh defeat in a row (138-132).

A negative series that had not known Gregg Popovich since the 1996/97 season and which had risen to eight, a few months before drafting a Tim Duncan.

For San Antonio, whose challenge is to qualify for his 23rd consecutive play-offs, it will stop the bleeding Friday in Philadelphia.

. The Frenchies

Rudy Gobert, author of 12 points and a big defense game (15 rebounds and 5 cons), was dominant in the Utah victory in Minnesota (103-95).

Evan Fournier was again successful with Orlando, finishing top scorer (21 pts) of the Magic, nonetheless beaten by defending champion Toronto (113-97).

Frank Ntilikina had his best offensive game of the season (17 pts at 6/8 shooting) in Philadelphia, but New York has yet cracked on the end (109-104).

Nicolas Batum, out of the bench, was active (5 rbds, 3 assists) but unproductive (3 pts), during the defeat of Charlotte in Brooklyn (101-91).

Results of the matches played on Wednesday:

Wednesday:

Atlanta - Milwaukee 127 - 135

Brooklyn - Charlotte 101 - 91

Miami - Cleveland 124 - 100

Toronto - Orlando 113 - 97

THE Clippers - Boston 107 - 104 ap

Denver - Houston 105 - 95

Chicago - Detroit 109 - 89

Minnesota - Utah 95 - 103

Philadelphia - New York 109 - 104

Washington - San Antonio 138 - 132

Dallas - Golden State 142 - 94

© 2019 AFP