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First got here the announcement of the 2023 NBA All-Star starters. Within the East, we’ve got Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo; within the West, it’s Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, LeBron James, and Nikola Jokic. Shaq may be very upset that there isn’t any longer a spot particularly devoted to a middle. Personally, I feel they received these starters proper for as soon as, even when there are hairs to separate over Joel Embiid’s absence. Oh, nicely.
What adopted was an appropriately epic night time of basketball, together with tight regulation finishes, spectacular particular person performances, and one epic time beyond regulation back-and-forth duel. Let’s begin right this moment’s recap with that one, we could?
Knicks outlast Celtics in time beyond regulation thriller, 120-117
In equity to the Boston Celtics, who’ve now misplaced three in a row for the second time this season, it seemed over in regulation, they usually managed to drive time beyond regulation. With 5:26 left within the fourth quarter, the C’s trailed, 106-94, trying useless within the water because the Knicks surged forward. However Boston went on a 16-4 run to shut out regulation, earlier than seeing it develop to a 21-4 run at the beginning of time beyond regulation.
Regardless of, although, because the Knicks nailed two threes to take a one-point lead in time beyond regulation. What actually determined the sport was Jaylen Brown’s late journey to the free-throw line, the place he missed each makes an attempt; making one would’ve tied it at 118. R.J. Barrett rebounded the second miss, was fouled, and drained each freebies, making the rating 120-117, New York. Boston received two dangerous appears earlier than time expired, finalizing its third consecutive loss.
Julius Randle poured in 37 — his fifteenth 30-piece of the 12 months — to paved the way for the Knicks; he additionally gave us one heck of a meme-to-be. Celtics’ followers, avert your eyes.
Mavs lose Luka, beat Suns, 99-95
The Suns are already with out their greatest participant, Devin Booker, who hasn’t performed since Christmas on account of a groin pressure. And regardless of Phoenix being nearly totally wholesome in any other case, Dallas has Luka Doncic — that’s a bonus each workforce would kill to have, and one that always interprets to profitable.
Properly, what occurs when Luka exits three minutes into the competition with an ankle sprain and doesn’t return? Apparently, Spencer Dinwiddie turns into him. He dropped 36 factors to associate with six rebounds and 9 assists to steer the Mavs. Dorian Finney-Smith (18 and 12 boards) and Dwight Powell (15) have been additionally key contributors.
As for Phoenix, its four-game win streak involves a detailed regardless of Chris Paul’s 22 factors and 10 assists, Cam Johnson’s further 22, and Deandre Ayton’s 19-point-20-rebound double-double.
Cavaliers demolish Rockets on highway, 113-95
No Donovan “All-Star starter” Mitchell, no drawback for the Cavs. The Rockets stink. It’s just about that easy.
Hornets rally in second half to beat Bulls, 111-96
Talking of groups that stink, neither one among these squads tends to supply a lot value writing residence about. However behind a monster night time from Miles Plumlee (21 factors on nine-for-nine capturing and 12 rebounds) and 28 from Terry Rozier, the Hornets managed to drag away from Chicago, which led 55-47 at halftime. DeMar DeRozan’s 28 factors weren’t sufficient to maintain Charlotte at bay; the Hornets outscored the Bulls 64-41 within the second half, finally stealing the sport in a matter of two quarters.
Clippers wallop Spurs, 138-100
Simply once I was brainstorming an “I’m completed ready for the Clippers to ‘put all of it collectively’” column for Clips Nation, they’ve gained a season-high 4 in a row and climbed to the fifth seed within the Western Convention. These wins haven’t precisely come towards premier competitors — they’ve overwhelmed the Spurs twice, the Mavs, and the Lakers — however alas, wins are wins, they usually are typically sufficient to encourage confidence.
Kawhi Leonard had 27 factors, but it surely was Paul George who led the best way with 35 factors, seven assists, and one hell of a windmill dunk.
Pistons shock Nets in Brooklyn, 130-122
A Kyrie Irving masterclass? Test. A career-high for Nic Claxton? Test. A second-straight loss, this one to the worst workforce within the Japanese Convention? Test.
Regardless of Kyrie dropping 40 factors, matching the Nets’ report of 5 straight video games of 30 or extra, and massive nights from each Claxton (27) and Edmond Sumner (24), the Pistons have been an excessive amount of for the shorthanded Nets. Saddiq Bey scored 25 factors and Alec Burks added 20 to assist Detroit snap a four-game dropping streak, in addition to to win in Brooklyn for the primary time since January of 2018.
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