After the All-Star break, the NBA returned this Thursday with victories for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, who are leaders of the East and West, respectively, and a new triumph for the Lakers who have clearly improved thanks to their latest additions. In the next 45 days, the playoff positions will be decided, the teams will play the play-in and which franchises will fight for the number one in the draft.
One of the highlights of the day was the debut of Kyre Irving, from the Brooklyn Nets, with the Dallas Mavericks. The American and Luka Doncic form one of the fashion couples of the competition, and last night they achieved their first victory playing together. It was in the game against the San Antonio Spurs, where the Mavs won 142-116.
Doncic with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists) and Irving with 23 points and 6 assists, beat some Spurs that have accumulated 15 consecutive losses.
The Celtics, for their part, struggled to defeat the Pacers, and finally did so in overtime. Jayson Tatum (31 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists) and Jaylen Brown (30 points and 11 rebounds) led Boston, but Myles Turner (40 points with a spectacular 13 of 15 shooting from the field and 8 of 10 from 3-pointers ) could not do anything to give victory to his team.
The Nuggets flew thanks to a spectacular Nikola Jocic, who with 24 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists and a triple-double led his team to victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers (109-115).
Malik Beasley (25 points with a fantastic 7 of 11 on three-pointers) and Austin Reaves (17 points with a perfect 6 of 6 on shots) led the Lakers who defeated the Warriors 124-111 without Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins. LeBron James for his part, made a discreet performance (13 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists).
The Sixers staged the surprise of the day, since they were behind on the scoreboard until the last minute. James Harden (31 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists) and Joel Embiid (27 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists) led the local comeback against the Memphis Grizzlies (110-105). Spanish Santi Aldama contributed 6 points to the Grizzlies and had foul trouble.
The other games of the day left the victory of the Raptors against the Pelicans (115-110) and the victory by the minimum of Utah Jazz over Oklahoma City Thunder (120-119). The Sacramento Kings reaped a comfortable victory against the Blazers (133-116) and the Pistons lost to the Orlando Magic (108-106).