Los Angeles (AFP)

The phenomenon Luka Doncic, 41 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds, which almost alone to Houston and James Harden to offer Dallas a prestigious victory: Sunday was Slovenian NBA.

. Doncic, indomitable Maverick

The duel between Luka Doncic and James Harden, kings of the "step back" and other impossible shots, promised. And if "the beard" has absolutely nothing (32 pts, 11 assists, 9 rbds), he was a tone below his rival of the day.

Especially since Doncic has, contrary to him, enormously weighed in the money-time. In just a few seconds, he had the game fold with three consecutive class actions: penetration by a float, despite a Westbrook hand in the face, against Austin Rivers and three-point shot following, to give back enough. advance to his.

Because the Mavs, where Tim Hardaway Jr (30 pts) was also preponderant, saw the Rockets nibble a delay of 20 points in the second half, after having cashed 78 (!) In first. Dallas had not managed such an offensive festival in 24 minutes since 1996.

This fifth consecutive victory allows the Mavericks to double Houston to occupy 4th place with Utah.

Doncic, who refuses to be intoxicated by his individual performances, repeated: "the most important thing is to play the play-offs this season". Meanwhile, he continues to write the story at only 20 years, since only three players like him managed four games in a row at 30 points and 10 assists: Harden, Russell Westbrook and Michael Jordan.

. Clippers finally quiet

Not that they would not like it, for the sake of knife games, like the last three against Oklahoma City, Boston and Houston where they showed nerves of steel to win. But a victory without forcing from time to time, like the one obtained against New Orleans (134-109), is also good.

And once is not customary, it is neither Kawhi Leonard (26 pts, 6 assists) nor Paul George (18 pts) who have worn LA, but Montrezl Harrell, devilishly efficient out of bench with 34 points and 12 rebounds .

LA is only third in the West, a Denver victory. The Pelicans share their 10th place with the convalescent San Antonio.

. Denver rolls

After a piano start, the Nuggets ended up imposing their collective strength against Phoenix, who gave in the last quarter (116-104).

Nikola Jokic's little offensively (8 pts), but precious rebound (12), Paul Milsapp and Jamal Murray respectively 23 and 22 points, allowed the franchise of Colorado to count a fifth victory in a row to consolidate its place Lakers dolphin. The Suns, they share the 7th rank with Minnesota.

. And at the end...

... it's the Knicks who are losing. As they have taken the bad habit since the beginning of the season, the New Yorkers have given in the last moments, this time against Brooklyn (103-101).

Yet the dynamic was on their side, two shots behind the bow Marcus Morris (26 pts) and Wayne Ellington allowed them to pick up 98-97 two minutes from time. But Joe Harris showered their hopes, completing the heavy work of Spencer Dinwiddie (30 pts).

With this third success of rank, the Nets confirms their 7th place in the East. The Knicks become last again.

. The Frenchies

Winger Elie Okobo had a great performance off the bench, bringing 14 points (4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 interception in 26 minutes) to Phoenix in the loss to Denver. Encouraging.

Installed in the starting five, Frank Ntilikina (8 pts, 5 assists, 3 rbds) was again energetic with New York against Brooklyn, but without weighing on the meeting.

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