Mavs 114 – Kings 113
The Dallas Mavericks also know how to win without Luka Doncic. Jason Kidd decided to rest his star player and his team almost paid dearly for it. The Kings were up 19 points, but for the second time this week the Texans overcame that deficit. Spencer Dinwiddie is confirmed as a magnificent addition and ends up as the team’s top scorer with 36 points (plus 7 assists), not in the game. De’Aaron Fox matched his best scoring mark with 44. But a 3-pointer from the corner by Dorian Finney-Smith with 3 seconds left gave the hosts the win, moving them one game out of fourth place in the West.
Hornets 123 – Spurs 117
Popovich’s record will have to wait. The coach is one win away from equaling Don Nelson as the coach with the most wins in regular season history (1,335). For a few moments he gave the feeling that today could be the day, but finally the Hornets were better in the last minutes. Terry Rozier (31 goals) was the most successful of his team in a much-needed victory for a team that was not at its best.
Heat 99-Sixers 82
Victory that could be key in the fight for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat beat their closest rival, the Philadelphia 76ers, and are already three games ahead. With a schedule that’s barely going to move them from Miami between now and the end of the regular season, the Heat look like the big favorites to finish at the top. Today’s game marked the first absence of James Harden since he debuted with his new team and the Sixers noticed. They stayed at 82 points and had no chance of winning the match after three good wins in a row. At home, teamwork with Herro and Butler as top scorers (21).
Grizzlies 124 – Magic 96
Simple victory for the new occupants of the second position in the West. The brand-new Grizzlies easily beat the second-worst team in the League, the Orlando Magic, and outrank the Warriors who are constantly losing. If it ended like this, which on the other hand should not surprise anyone, it would be a resounding success for the Memphis team. Ja Morant (25 points and 7 assists) and Desmon Bane (24 and 6 rebounds) were the best.
Wolves 135 – Blazers 121
Fourth consecutive victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are not satisfied with seventh place, the first that does not give direct access to the playoffs. The Wolves are two wins away from the sixth-place Nuggets. In tonight’s game they had to suffer, despite what it seems from the lofty result. With 6 minutes left the advantage for the locals was only 2 points and it was from that moment on that they broke the match. Great game by Karl-Anthony Towns: 36 points and 15 rebounds. Although it was not he who scored the most. That honor went to Blazers hotshot Afernee Simons, who went on 38 points with a spectacular 9/17 from 3-point range.
Lakers 124 – Warriors 116
Lebron James breaks the losing streak of the Lakers with his best game in years: 56 points and 10 rebounds. No one had done anything like it at 37 years old. The Warriors, the victim. Read the chronicle here.