The NBA night was marked by the monumental triple-double by Nikola Jokic (31pts, 21RBDS, 22pds) during the victory after extension of Denver against Phoenix. The two conference leaders Oklahoma City and Cleveland won, while on the French side, Nicolas Batum shone, signing his point record of the season (17).
Except immense reversal of the situation, the title of MVP of the regular NBA season will be played between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. And the Serbian struck a big blow in the battle which opposes him remotely to the Canadian, by delivering a historic match on Friday with his team from Denver. The Nuggets, 3rd in the West, won 141-124 after extension against Phoenix (11th), and Jokic scored 31 points, taken 21 rebounds and delivered 22 assists in 45 minutes during this meeting! It is simply the first player in the history of the NBA to succeed in a triple-double with at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists! It is also his record for career passes, and his 149th triple-double (his teammate Russell Westbrook still holds the record, with 202). It was necessary at least to get rid of tough Suns, who managed to pass in front of the match while they were counting 21 points behind in the middle of the third quarter.
While Christian Braun (35pts) had finally given the nuggets in front, Kevin during (29pts, 9RBDS) snatched the overtime from the buzzer. But Phoenix cracked during this extension, lost 24-16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was left to rest on Friday, but that did not prevent Oklahoma City, leader of the West, from beating Portland, 12th, on the score of 107-89. The Thunder was 21 points ahead in the third quarter, then only two to seven minutes from the end, but it finished strong, with a 20-4! In the absence of “SGA”, Aaron Wiggins took matters into hand, with 30 points (first triple-double in the career of Jaylin Williams, with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists). Memphis, 4th, went to beat Dallas Mavericks in perdition (10th, 4th defeat in a row) on the score of 111-122 thanks to a huge last quarter, won 17-33, and a 31 points (27pts and 16RBDS for Desmond Bane).
Cleveland tears, the Knicks still beaten
To the east, Cleveland, the only team assured to date to compete in the play-offs, went to win a thirteenth victory in a row. But it was difficult on the Charlotte prosecution (14th): 117-118. As they led 13 points in the third quarter, the horsemen saw the Hornets return and pass in front. They still led 106-101 to three minutes from the end, but Cleveland was snatched to win, despite the two free throws missed by Donovan Mitchell (24 points) five seconds from the end. The 46 points of Miles Bridges will not be enough for Charlotte. Cruel…
Beaten by Lakers Thursday, New York (3rd) faced the Clippers in “back-to-back” and further bowed on the score of 105-95. Deprived of Jalen Brunson for at least two weeks, the Knicks led for a large part of the second quarter in this match, but the Clippers mastered the rest of the game. James Harden ends with 27 points, Kawhi Leonard with 20, and Nicolas Batum with 17! While he had not exceeded 12 points this season until then, the former captain of the French team has finally had ammunition (he only takes 3-game shots per game this season), and returned 6 of his 9 shots, including 5 out of 7 to 3 points.
NBA / Regular season
Friday March 7, 2025
Charlotte Hornets – Cleveland riders : 117-118
Stats of Moussa Diabaté (CHA): 11 minutes of play, 6 points (3/5 at the shots including 0 shot at 3pts, 0 launch-franc drawn), 3 rebounds, 2 passes, 1 against, 3 lost balls, 5 faults
Stats of Tidjane Salaun (Cha): 18 minutes of play, 9 points (3/5 on shots including 3/5 to 3pts, 0 launch-free drawn), 6 rebounds, 3 passes, 1 interception, 1 lost ball, 1 fault
Miami Heat – Minnesota Timberwolves : 104-106
Rudy Gobert (Min), injured on the back, did not play
Oklahoma City Thunder – Portland Trail Blazers: 107-89
Stats of Ousmane Dieng (OKC): 36 minutes of play, 16 points (6/10 at shots including 4/6 at 3pts, 0 launch-free drawn), 6 rebounds, 1 pass, 2 interceptions, 3 lost balloons, 3 faults
Stats of Rayan Rupert (POR): 1 minute of play, 0 point (0/1 at the shot including 0 shooting 3pts, 0 launch-free)
Stats of Sidy Cissoko (Por): 1 minute of play, 0 point (0 shot, 0 launch-free drawn), 1 rebound
Sacramento Kings -San Antonio Spurs: 127-109
Victor Wembanyama (SAS), injured in the shoulder, did not play
Los Angeles Clippers – New York Knicks: 105-95
Stats of Nicolas Batum (lake): 34 minutes of play, 17 points (6/9 on shots including 5/7 at 3pts, 0 launch-free drawn), 4 rebounds, 1 pass, 2 interceptions, 3 lost balloons, 2 faults
Pacôme Dadiet (NYK) was not in the group
Dallas Mavericks – Memphis Grizzlies : 111-122
Raptors of Toronto -Utah jazz: 118-109
Denver Nuggets – Phoenix Suns: 149-141 AP
