NBA: Walker again grandiose – OKC loses at Westbrook return

Kemba Walker is unstoppable. After 60 points against the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets’ Guard this time gave the Boston Celtics 43 points and shot his team almost single-handed to victory. Meanwhile Joel Embiid dominated his matchup with Top-Pick Deandre Ayton. Russell Westbrook returned at the Oklahoma City Thunder, but OKC still lost in Sacramento, also because Dennis Schröder caught a pitch-black day.

Even the Celtics could not stop Kemba Walker. After 60 points against the Sixers, the Guard gained 43 points this time (14/25 FG, 7/13 Dreier) – and this time it was actually enough to win. Kemba fought a hot duel with Kyrie Irving (27, 12/25 FG, 11 Assists), but in the end had the longer breath than the Celtics star.

Walker scored a full 21 points in the fourth quarter and thus ensured the decisive turnaround, after the guests had a small lead in the final section (87:84). But it was Kemba time in the fourth quarter, with the Point Guard scoring 11 points in a row for his team.

But the All-Star was not alone this time, that was the difference to the game against the Sixers. Tony Parker (7, 3/5 FG) hit two extremely important jumpers in the Crunchtime and relieved the hot star. But of course the Dagger was deprived of Walker, who with a deep three-second lead of 32 seconds before the end again put six points ahead and thus countered Jayson Tatum, who had made it thrilling again with his own three-point lead.

The Sophomore was the best Celtics actor besides Irving with 18 points. Coach Brad Stevens had changed his Starting Five and put Gordon Hayward (4, 1/6) on the bench and started with Aron Baynes. Daniel Theis (10, 5/6, 2 rebounds) made a strong game and shook the basket system several times with crashing dunks.

In the Hornets, Walker Jeremy Lamb (18) and Willy Hernangomez (14) were the only players to score double-digit points.

Loose compulsory victory for the pistons, which had no problems at all with Kellerkind Cleveland. The final result did not reflect the balance of power at all, the cavs could only make the result look bearable in garbage time.

The visitors quickly fell behind and Detroit gave the Cavs a solid 38 points in the first quarter. Especially to Andre Drummond (13 of his 23 points after twelve minutes, 16 rebounds) Cleveland had no answer at all. Correspondingly, there was no chance to win under the boards (50:36).

Beside Drummond Blake Griffin convinced with 21 points (7/12) and 12 rebounds at the Pistons, Reggie Bullock also scored 21 points. So the advantage of the pistons grew up to 30 points, the game was quickly decided.

At Cleveland, Ante Zizic (12) was able to use the final quarter for some statistics, five other Cavs players also scored double-digit. Topscorer of the guests was Collin Sexton with 18 points (6/10 FG) in 24 minutes.

Was the victory of jazz in Boston just a flash in the pan? In Indianapolis, Utah went bankrupt the next time, although the Pacers had to give up their star in Victor Oladipo (knee). For the injured All-Star Tyreke Evans (8, 3/12 FG) moved into the start formation, but the Guard could only recommend himself conditionally for higher tasks.

Much more it was the Bigs of the Pacers who were causing Utah big problems. Domantas Sabonis scratched his first triple double coming from the bench with 19 points and 9 rebounds and assists each and was thus symbolic of the closed team performance of the hosts. The 35 assists were distributed among 10 players, the Pacers forced 19 turnovers (13 steals) and hit 53 percent out of the field.

Indy set the course for victory early on and was leading 39-19 at the beginning of the second quarter. Ricky Rubio (28, 10/13 FG) made the visitors a bit shorter, but it was only a short rebellion. Led by Bojan Bogdanovic (21, 9/14), the Pacers dominated again after the change thanks to a fast 9-0 run.

So the hosts were able to spare the starters early and helped rookie Aaron Holiday (19) to a new career high. Donovan Mitchell (7, 3/8) was extremely inconspicuous at the Jazz, Rudy Gobert (12, 11 rebounds) recorded another double-double. Jae Crowder contributed another 14 counters.

Page 1: Kemba Walker also kills the Celtics – Next Jazz Clap

Page 2: Embiid dominates Ayton – Bucks with next comeback

Page 3: Pels are beating up the Spurs – Schröder weak at OKC bankruptcy