The Nets had the opportunity to come back up to Boston, leader in the East.

But that was without counting on the Bulls (10th), in the lead for almost the entire meeting, thanks to Patrick Williams (22 pts) and Nikola Vucevic (21 pts, 13 rebounds).

Discreet until then, DeMar DeRozan woke up in the last quarter by scoring 10 of his 22 points, to keep the New Yorkers at bay, among whom Kyrie Irving (25 pts) was less skilful (10/ 24) than Durant (15/22).

As a result, Brooklyn (3rd) is overtaken by the Bucks (2nd), who came close to corrections with the Raptors, squandering a 21-unit lead, only to be pushed into overtime, during which Antetokounmpo was decisive, the day after his 55 points against Washington, with a decisive offering to Grayson Allen (16 pts) for the lethal banderilla.

Omnipresent (30 pts, 21 rebounds, 10 assists), the "Greek Freak" (the Greek monster) nevertheless conceded 12 loss of balls, coming to draw a funny quadruple-double.

Decisive Mitchell

Cleveland, solid 4th, won a hard fight (90-88) against Phoenix, who nevertheless dominated for a long time.

Two days after his historic 71-point night against Chicago, Donovan Mitchell was well contained by the Suns defense (20 pts, 6/20 on shots).

But he was able to force the decision in the last minute, first with a long-range shot, then with an assist to Evan Mobley with four seconds remaining.

Opposite, Chris Paul (25 pts, 8 assists) was unsuccessfully successful.

The Arizona team, after this seventh setback in eight matches, continues its tumble in the West (8th).

The Sixers, carried by James Harden (26 pts) in the absence of Joel Embiid, defeated Indiana (129-126) after overtime.

Leading by 13 lengths after three quarters, Philadelphia found itself trailing four units with 57 seconds remaining, after baskets from Buddy Hield (24 pts) and Myles Turner (14 pts, 5 blocks).

Philadelphia Sixers star James Harden during overtime against the Indiana Pacers in Philadelphia on January 4, 2023 © Mitchell Leff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

But two lost balls from the Pacers allowed Tyrese Maxey (17 pts) then Tobias Harris (19 pts, 10 rebounds) to equalize.

Whereupon, in the "overtime", De'Anthony Melton (19 pts) made the difference.

In New York, Jalen Brunson distinguished himself with 38 points scored, to allow the Knicks (6th) to beat (117-114) San Antonio.

Evan Fournier was only allowed 11 minutes of play (6 pts).

Warriors stall

In the West, Memphis chained a fourth success in a row against Charlotte (131-107), to which Ja Morant (23 pts) contributed without forcing.

With the same record (24-13), the Grizzlies are back up to leader Denver.

The Pelicans follow the rhythm in 3rd place, thanks to their victory (119-108) against Houston.

They did not suffer from the absence of Zion Williamson, sidelined for at least three weeks (hamstrings), relying on CJ McCollum (28 pts).

The surprise came from San Francisco, where the Warriors (9th), still deprived of Stephen Curry but who remained on five victories, were trapped by Detroit (122-119), who were able to resist the late awakening of Klay Thompson (30 pts), thanks to a basket behind the arc at the buzzer of Saddiq Bey, impeccably served by Killian Hayes.

For his return after three suspension matches, the Frenchman was excellent at the lead with 13 assists and he also made two important free throws in the last seconds (9 pts).

Finally, the Lakers, without sick LeBron James but with remarkable Dennis Shroder (32 pts) and very active Russell Westbrook (21 pts, 9 assists, 8 rebounds), beat Miami (112-109).

Dennis Schroder (d.), the German leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, tries to dribble Bam Adebayo (l.), the pivot of the Miami Heat, in Los Angeles, January 4, 2023 © KEVORK DJANSEZIAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The Los Angeles franchise remains 12th behind Minnesota, which defeated (113-106) Portland (7th), thanks to Anthony Edwards (32 pts), Rudy Gobert making a good contribution (17 pts, 12 rebounds).

© 2023 AFP