Mitchell, who arrived in Ohio last summer from Utah, is only the seventh player to score 70 or more points in an NBA game, and the first to do so since the NBA icon. LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant, in 2006 (81 pts against Toronto).

The points record remains the property of Wilt Chamberlain, author of a recital of 100 points with Philadelphia against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962.

The feat of Donovan Mitchell, who also delivered 11 assists and gleaned 8 rebounds, helped get the "Cavs" out of trouble as the Ohio franchise, also deprived of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, has counted up to 21 points behind before the break.

For this, the All Star shot 22 of 34, including 7 three-pointers.

But his first thought went back to his teammates.

"I wouldn't be here without them... without these guys doing the decisive things, and I mean that," the 26-year-old said.

Mitchell himself pushed Chicago into overtime by taking the rebound after a free throw he had intentionally missed, then scoring the equalizing basket three seconds from the buzzer.

He then launched his team to victory by scoring the first three-pointer of overtime, during which he scored 13 points in total.

His coach JB Bickerstaff was ecstatic.

"Tonight we witnessed one of the greatest performances in NBA history," he said.

The Bulls, who were never behind before overtime, had to surrender despite DeMar DeRozan's 44 points.

This success allows Cleveland to keep pace with the best (24-14) in an Eastern Conference where the contenders for the first places are jostling behind the Celtics (26-12), starting with Brooklyn (25-11) .

Mbappé at the Nets

Under the eyes of Paris SG players Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi, the Nets rolled over the San Antonio Spurs (139-103), extending their winning streak to 12.

Paris SG players Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe during the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the San Antonio Spurs on January 2, 2023 in New York © Dustin Satloff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Five Nets players scored ten or more points, led by duo Kyrie Irving (27) and Kevin Durant (25), who received kudos from Mbappé.

"Congratulations. It was really fun to watch. Good luck for the season," said the French vice-world champion, before greeting the Nets players one by one.

At the other end of the country, the Golden State Warriors, reigning NBA champions, overcame the Atlanta Hawks after two overtimes (143-141), Klay Thompson breaking his season record (54 points).

The upturn seems to be dawning for the San Francisco franchise, which remains deprived of its star player Stephen Curry but is now at five wins in a row at home.

Golden State Warriors players Klay Thompson (#11) and Atlanta Hawks John Collins (#20) during an NBA game on January 2, 2023 in San Francisco © EZRA SHAW / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Also in California, after celebrating his 38th birthday at the expense of Atlanta on Sunday, LeBron James martyred the Charlotte Hornets, scoring more than a third (43) of the points of his Lakers, victorious 121-115.

"We needed that when we finished this series of trips," reacted James, who also took 11 rebounds.

LA, however, remains in the slums of the Western Conference (12th, 16 v. and 21 d.), where Denver, the leader, and New Orleans, 3rd, fell.

The Nuggets drank the cup in Minneapolis (124-111), against the Timberwolves, however in bad shape (six losses in a row).

Anthony Edwards made the double-double (29 pts, 10 rebounds) while Rudy Gobert was content with eight points, 4 rebounds and three assists.

As for the Pelicans, they lost in Philadelphia (120-111), against the Sixers carried by Joel Embiid (42 pts, 11 rebounds).

But the worst news of the evening for New Orleans, while waiting to know the exact duration of his unavailability, remains the new injury of Zion Williamson, hit in the adductors.

© 2023 AFP