Los Angeles (AFP)

"We cannot walk alone", chanted Martin Luther King. A leitmotif repeated everywhere Monday in the NBA, in order to celebrate his memory on the sidelines of the 14 games on the program, except by the Celtics who made a real jumper alone to correct the Lakers.

. Celtics Crush Lakers

At the start of the third quarter, while his team was already leading by twenty points, Jaylen Brown rose to dunker with two hands on LeBron James. This image alone symbolizes Boston's overwhelming victory over Los Angeles (139-107).

The shock of "MLK Day", which opposed the two most successful franchises in history (17 for the C's, 16 for LA), fizzled despite a cannon departure from the Lakers (13-3). Boston then rose in intensity, showing a total physical commitment, without the Californians having the weapons to respond.

James tried well (15 pts, 13 assists, 7 rbds) but was too alone. Anthony Davis, back from his pelvis injury, was perhaps not ready (9 pts, 4 rbds) and lacked rhythm anyway.

Opposite, Jayson Tatum shone (27 pts) and the 13 Celtics entered the game scored. A collective victory with 55.9% success in shots which allows them to remain 4th in the East.

Despite this second defeat in three games, the Lakers remain leaders in the West. Utah and Denver, winners of Indiana (118-88) and Minnesota (107-100), took the opportunity to approach four victories in second place shared with the Clippers.

. Milwaukee continues, Miami tears off

The Bucks' seventh consecutive success against Chicago (111-98) took shape in the third quarter, barely later than in their last outings. Giannis Antetokounmpo spent a minute more on the floor than usual, achieving a triple-double (28 pts, 14 rbds, 10 assists) dominating.

Milwaukee, who shot at 57.7%, remains untouchable in the East, always followed by far in 2nd place by Miami, overcame Sacramento (118-113) after extra time.

The Heat, whose "rookie" Kevin Nunn scored 25 points in the absence of Jimmy Butler (hip), now has 19 wins for a single loss at home, but also 7 wins out of 7 after extra time. So it was not the perfect place or the right time for the Kings to end their streak, now five.

. Toronto, Philadelphia, four in a row

It took ten Raptors to defeat a single Hawk, as point guard Trae Young flew through the proceedings, with 42 points and 15 assists, in the Toronto win (122-117) in Atlanta.

All players scored in the ranks of the defending champion, Nick Powell having been the most prolific (27 pts). Result, a fourth consecutive success which allows him to remain 3rd in the East.

The Sixers also won a fourth straight victory in Brooklyn (117-111) and Ben Simmons was the great craftsman with a triple-double: 34 points (personal best equaled) at 12/14 in shooting, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, plus 5 interceptions and 2 blocks.

In the persistent absence of Joel Embiid (finger), Philly remains 6th in the East.

. Houston, we have a problem

The Rockets led 14 points against Oklahoma City, entering the fourth quarter. But they collapsed, taking 40 points in twelve minutes to lose (112-107).

Russell Westbrook, however, put all the ingredients with 32 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds. The 146th triple-double of his career and also the first against his former team. This allows him to become, a few weeks after LeBron James, the second player in history to have successfully completed a "TD" against each of the teams in the League.

The Rockets, who harvested three points (9/45), James Harden (29 pts) who alone committed a terrible 1/17, are four consecutive losses but remain 6th in the West, followed closely by OKAY.

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