For three matches that Donovan Mitchell has returned, after having submitted to a concussion protocol for fifteen days, Utah has regained its colors.

And this even while still being deprived of Rudy Gobert (calf).

If the leader was not as prolific in attack as usual, he was complete (14 pts, 10 rebounds, 8 assists), making his people play well, like Bojan Bogdanovic (23 pts) and players from the bench compiling 44 units.

In a striking contrast, the Warriors failed collectively (low 35.9% shooting success) and individually, as evidenced by the performance, certainly not unworthy insufficient all the same of Stephen Curry (16 pts, 7 rebounds), devoid of spared his "splash brother" Klay Thompson.

Result, the 2nd in the West concedes a first loss in ten matches, which indirectly allows Phoenix to be a leader a little more untouchable.

The Jazz consolidates its 4th place after this fourth success in a row.

Two days after the slap received at home against defending champion Milwaukee, the Lakers resisted better but still yielded to Portland (107-105).

Their 30th loss of the season (26 wins) which stuck them in 9th place, two places ahead of the Blazers.

In Oregon, LeBron James was the only one to float in the ranks of LA (30 pts, 7 assists, 7 rebounds).

But his 14 pawns in the last quarter were in vain, to make up for the absence in scoring of Anthony Davis who had nevertheless scored 12 of his 17 points (7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks) in the previous one.

Anfernee Simons scored 29 points in the Blazers' victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on February 9, 2022 in Portland.

Steph Chambers GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Toronto continues

During a meeting where Anfernee Simons (29 pts) stood out for Portland, the Lakers can especially regret their 21 ball losses, while Russell Westbrook was not playing (back) yet.

In the East, the Bulls have easily won (121-109) at Hornets in difficulty.

And as so often this season, DeMar DeRozan had a lot to do with it.

The back was decisive and skilful (13/19 on shots, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), well supported by Zach LaVine (27 pts, 7 rebounds) and Nikola Vucevic (18 pts, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks) .

On the Charlotte side, LaMelo Ball, first-selected in the All-Star Game on February 20, did everything he could (33 pts, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 interceptions), without however preventing a sixth defeat in a row for his team (9th).

In Cleveland, a duel opposed two other young talents summoned for their first "ASG", Darius Garland and Dejounte Murray.

And the first was predominant in the third success in a row (105-92) of his team against San Antonio.

Absent in the last four matches (back), he shone with 27 points at 12/15 on shots and 6 assists.

Dominators inside, Jarrett Allen (15 pts, 14 rebounds) and Evan Mobley (18 pts, 12 rebounds) also contributed to the success of the Cavs, where Caris LeVert, recruited this week, scored 11 points for his debut.

Cavaliers inside Jarrett Allen during his team's victory over the San Antonio Spurs on February 9, 2022 in Cleveland.

Jason Miller GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Spurs sides (12th in the West), Dejounte Murray (16 pts, 9 assists, 6 rebounds) struggled in vain.

Team in form, Toronto, 6th in the East, brought back a seventh consecutive victory from Oklahoma City (117-98), relying on Pascal Siakam (27 pts, 13/17 on shots, 16 rebounds, 5 assists ).

Not much to save at the Thunder, except the good performance of Theo Maledon, author of 18 points, his best total of the season, and 3 assists from the bench.

© 2022 AFP