Once again the Golden State Warriors are making a furious comeback. In the pelicans they’re 20 points behind, but in the final minutes Durant and Cousins get caught up with each other – both are ejected, while Steph Curry’s ankle provides a shock moment. Meanwhile, Devin Booker destroys the Sixers with 46 points, the Cavaliers’ winning streak continues and the Mavericks are once again successful. The wizards, on the other hand, go down in Utah.
After shoulder problems knocked out Kemba Walker for two games, the Hornets’ Point Guard returned to duty – and how! With 29 points and 7 assists, he led his team to victory against Orlando and at the same time Walker immortalized himself in the history books of the franchise.
The 24-year-old is the first player in Hornets history to have 200 games with at least 20 points. Walker pocketed 7 of his 16 attempts from the field (but only 1/8 of downtown) and stayed perfectly off the free-throw line (14/14). The Guard received support from Frank Kaminsky with 14 points and 9 rebounds and Dwight Howard (12 points, 9 rebounds). The Center also made history by moving past Paul Silas and Dikembe Mutombo to 19th place on the NBA’s all-time rebounding list.
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The Hornets had to tremble for the victory because only for a short time. After Orlando, led by Evan Fournier with 18 points at the end of the third quarter, had caught up with an 11-point gap, Marreese Speights lost control after a drink from Kamisnky. He pushed Cody Zeller to the ground and got a Flagrant foul. Charlotte took advantage of this opportunity to quickly move back to 6 points. Afterwards, Walker made sure that the hosts didn’t burn anything more. After four defeats in a row, the Hornets finally celebrated another success.
Also in the second game without the injury-hit top scorers Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. the Knicks suffered a defeat. With the Pacers, New York was even inferior without a chance. Right from the start, Indiana made it clear in which direction this game should go. After 24 minutes, there was a 26-point lead on the credit side, and after three quarters the lead was 30 points.
“Most of the time we did a good job and moved the ball well,”said Head Coach Nate McMillian,”We ended up with 28 assists. So everyone gets involved in the game and gets open throws.”
The top scorer in the Pacers, where seven players achieved a double-digit score, was Thad Young with 20 points (9/11 FG). Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 19 points, Victor Oladipo scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. On the Knicks side Willy Hernangomez was the best thrower with 14 points (7/10 FG) and “Indiana was simply better”, was the apt conclusion of Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek.
Home game against the Suns? In addition to the Sixers fans, the players of the aspiring team from the Eastern Conference also expected a relaxed victory. But they didn’t have Devin Booker! The shooting guard delivered an outstanding performance: With 46 points, 8 rebounds and 5/8 threesomes he led his team to victory.
“Devin had a remarkable evening,”said Sixers big man Joel Embiid,”We took it lightly and paid for it,” but at the beginning of the game there was little evidence of the 21-year-old’s monster performance. Booker scuttled only 2 of his 11 litter attempts in the first quarter, but then he caught all the more fire.
Of his 17 throws in half time two, 11 of his 17 throws landed in the basket. 32 of his 46 points scored Booker in the second half. Thanks to the active support of T. J. Warren (25 points, 8 rebounds) the Suns even gained a 17-point lead in the meantime.
But it didn’t last too long. Led by JJ. Redick with 25 points, Philly fought his way up to 5 points. Embiid scored 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, Ben Simmons scored 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals despite the flu. However, Booker did not let himself be spoiled this evening. With two threesomes and a crashing fast-break-dunk he brought Phoenix back on track – and with it the victory in dry cloths.
Page 1:46 points! Booker destroys the Sixers
Page 2: Cavaliers’ winning streak continues
Page 3: Warriors with comeback win – also the Mavs win
Page 4: Wizards go down against Utah