New day of the NBA with only 6 games played. With everyone still in shock for the transfer of Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks, different teams jumped onto the court, although none of those directly affected in a transfer that could mark the season. Sixers and Nuggets fall, while the Magic conquer Charlotte and do not give up in their fight for the title play-in. And good night for the Spaniards: Santi Aldama, Willy Hernangómez and Ricky Rubio stood out with their respective teams, although the former did not get the win after the Grizzlies lost in Canada. All this and much more, in the summary of the day:
CHARLOTTE HORNETS 113 – 119 ORLANDO MAGIC
After the tremendous fight against the Timberwolves, which resulted in a four-game suspension for the Magic for Mo Bamba and one for Jalen Suggs, Orlando defeated the Hornets at home with two double-doubles from Paolo Banchero, with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Wendel Carter, with 20 points and 12 rebounds.. In the Hornets, penultimate in the East, LaMelo Ball scored 33 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, with 6 triples.
INDIANA PACERS 103 – 122 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The starting five of the Cavaliers finished with double figures and all more than 17 points, led by Darius Garland’s 24 and the doubles of Jarrett Allen, with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Evan Mobley, with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Spanish Ricky Rubio contributed 7 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists for the Cavaliers in 19 minutes on the court. JB Bickerstaff’s team is fifth in the East, with a record of 33-22.
NEW YORK KNICKS 108 – 97 PHILADELPHIA SIXERS
The Sixers blew a 21-point lead and fell 97-108 to the New York Knicks, ending their eight-game road winning streak. Lthe Knicks sealed the best comeback of their season to the rhythm of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and Evan Fournier against a Sixers who got off to a stellar start and went 33-12 in the first period before completely getting bogged down. Randle scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, Brunson contributed 21 points and Fournier had the best night of his season, with 17 points and 5 triples, decisive to change the dynamics of the match in the last segment. Tom Thibodeau’s team reacted after the tough loss suffered just 24 hours earlier against the Clippers. The New Yorkers, who had lost 7 of their last 10 games, rallied for 17 points in the fourth quarter, before succumbing to 35 points from Kawhi Leonard and 30 from Paul George. They bounced back with a magnificent comeback against the Sixers, who arrived at Madison Square Garden in great form, having won 14 of their last 17 games.. Joel Embiid posted his sixth straight double-double, with 31 points and 14 rebounds, but it was pretty much the only opponent who had a tremendous start and dropped their percentages vertically after the first quarter. Doc Rivers’ team started with 63% shooting and 4-for-7 3-point accuracy, but they connected on just 3 of their next 18 attempts from beyond the arc. James Harden finished 0-for-4 from the arc, though he had a double-double of 12 points and 12 assists. With a big reaction, the Knicks cut the deficit to 2 points at halftime (51-53) and trailed by 3 of the Sixers at the end of the third period (76-79). A resounding 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter pushed the Knicks to 86-82, their largest lead to that point. Fournier was the main protagonist of that set by being forceful from the three-point line. The Frenchman, who shot 30% from the arc this season, finished with 17 points and 5 of 8 from the outside.. Escort was a torment for the opposing defense. He scored 2 triples in a few seconds to make it 94-88 and assisted McBride to make it 98-90 that left his rivals touched. Fournier ended his game by picking up his sixth foul with 1.39 minutes remaining as his team led 104-94. The Knicks had no problems defending their victory and putting behind them the setback they suffered against the Clippers. The New Yorkers moved into seventh place in the East with a 27-26 record before a two-game road trip against the Magic and the Sixers themselves. The Philadelphia team, meanwhile, is third (34-18) and will have two days off before visiting the Celtics, leaders of the East.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 103 – 106 TORONTO RAPTORS
With a strong team performance and seven players above 10 points, the Raptors inflicted the Grizzlies, orphans of Ja Morant and Steven Adams, their third straight loss. Pascal Siakam led the Canadians with 19 points and Scottie Barnes scored thirteen of his 16 points in the fourth quarter., while for the Grizzlies Desmond Bane contributed 26 for the Grizzlies. The Spaniard Santi Aldama started and scored 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in 32 minutes.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 128 – 98 DENVER NUGGETS
Without the Serbian Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets crashed in their visit to the Wolves, toagainst the 20 points of Anthony Edwards and the double-double of D’Angelo Russell of 18 points and 10 assists.. The Nuggets continue to lead the West (37-17), ahead of the Grizzlies (32-21), while the Wolves, who are still without Karl Anthony Towns, are seventh (29-27).
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 136 – 104 SACRAMENTO KINGS
Willy Hernangómez stands out a few days after the market closes. See the chronicle here.