NBA. A Giannis Antetokounmpo of good nights, Rudy Gobert and Minnesota continue in Memphis
Giannis Antetokounmpo, author of 41 points, drew strength to win in Milwaukee in Indiana (131-141), Minnesota caused Memphis a fifth straight loss (111-100), Friday in the NBA where strong emotions after the discovery of footage of the fatal arrest of Tire Nichols.
Very dominant inside, the 2019 and 2020 double MVP added 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a meeting that looked like a walk in the park for his Bucks, as they scored as many as 33 units early.
So in an attempt to stop the “Greek Freak” (the Greek monster), who took everyone, including the unfortunate Oshae Brissett, in his path by hitting an amazing dunk after a very long last support, the Pacers took the card from “hack-a-Giannis”, systematically fouling him, relying on his fever on free throws.
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His 7/18 gave them a bit of a hit, as they were back to -7 four minutes from time, led by the impressive Myles Turner (24 pts, 4 blocks), but Jrue Holiday (20 pts) and Khris Middleton (17 pts) managed to take over.
Milwaukee remains 3rd in the East, Indiana remains 9th despite its eighth loss in ten games.
Curry carries the Warriors
Cleveland is in 5th place, lost to Oklahoma City (112-100) by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rule, again excellent (35 pts).
Particularly good (12/21 in shots, 8 assists), the rear chained the fourth meeting in at least 30 points and the Thunder (11th in the West) confirmed their recovery with this sixth victory in eight matches, which is closer to the game- off.
Darius Garland (31 pts, 13 assists) was too alone to fill the absence of Donovan Mitchell (groin), in the Cavs with a slight lead in Miami (6th), winner in Orlando (110-105 ), despite of being nine units. late at the beginning of the last quarter.
Jimmy Butler (29 pts, 6 assists, 6 rebounds) dominated in the Heat’s third consecutive victory.
In the West, Golden State for its part won the second straight, which did not happen here in ten games, at the expense of Toronto (129-117).
The Warriors, who returned to 7th place, relied on a very solid performance from Stephen Curry (35 pts, on 13/21, 11 assists), perfectly supported by his “splash brother” Klay Thompson ( 29 pts, 8 rebounds).
Gobert is everywhere defensively
In Minneapolis, the Wolves relied on Anthony Edwards, author of 25 points (7 assists) and a spectacular dunk on Jaren Jackson Jr, but a heavy blocker, to beat the Grizzlies, certainly not the best at the moment .
Because what usually makes them stronger, this ability to defend better, run better and score on the counter, did not work in some matches, despite the commendable efforts of Ja Morant in triple-double mode (27 pts, 11 assists, 10 rebounds). Memphis is still a solid 2nd in Sacramento.
Minnesota climbed to 8th place, showing the best of its game, like Rudy Gobert, still defensive (13 rebounds, 3 blocks) and sometimes inspired in the attack, contrary to what suggests his 7 points (in 3/5 ), like this back dip in an alley-oop (pass in the air) and his blind pass behind, decisive for Jaden McDaniels, in money-time.
Before kick-off, emotion was palpable in the Grizzlies ranks during a minute of silence to honor the memory of Tire Nichols, an African-American who died at the age of 29 on January 7 in Memphis, after being beaten by a passer. of five black police officers, who have since been charged with murder.
The discovery Friday of the harrowing video of his arrest, and the fatal blows inflicted, shocked the league’s players and teams, who sent messages of sadness and condolences to Nichols’ family, the NBA called the images ‘appalling’.
