Gobert hits, offers Brooklyn Pelicans, Milwaukee takes on Charlotte
Posted by Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365 on Saturday, January 07, 2023 at 08:04
The NBA had eleven games on the night’s schedule, and they notably saw Rudy Gobert record a huge double-double in Minnesota’s win over the Clippers, Brooklyn would win in New Orleans, and Milwaukee had a nightmare at home against Charlotte.
Things just keep getting better for Minnesota as they snap their third straight this Friday after six straight losses! The “Kurds” won over the unread Clippers, who once again rested their stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and lost for the fourth time in a row: 128-115, advancing from start to finish. And the great architect of this victory is called Rudy Gobert! The French pivot had his best game since arriving in Minneapolis this summer, scoring 25 points and grabbing 21 rebounds! “I don’t think we’ve seen the best Rudy yet. I worked a lot. My teammates are watching me. The coaching staff is following me. And I know it will pay off, “reacted the league’s three-time best defender, sometimes criticized since the beginning of the season. D’Angelo Russell also scored 25 points, the bad news for the Wolves, without Karl-Anthony Towns, came from the injury performance of Anthony Edwards, hit his hip .Minnesota, ranked 11th in the West, travels to Houston on Sunday.
Brooklyn enforces its own law
The poster boy of the night was the Nets, who came away with a 102-108 victory in Louisiana against two third Conference teams, New Orleans and Brooklyn. Coming off a twelve-game winning streak Wednesday, Kevin Durant and his men got back on the road and won after a long layoff. New Orleans (without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram) actually led by fifteen points midway through the second quarter with two to eight minutes remaining. But Brooklyn took the lead at the buzzer at 6’31 and never let go. The Pelicans continued to the end (100-103 with 1’06), but the Nets had the last laugh following Kevin Durant with 33 points and 10 rebounds. (19 points for Kyrie Irving, including 7 points in the final 72 seconds).
In Milwaukee, Charlotte won the record
Brooklyn is now second in the East after Milwaukee’s incredible loss at home to second-seeded Charlotte. The Bucks did indeed lose 109-138 in front of 17,627 fans, the fault of a disastrous first quarter. Indeed, they were outscored 51-28 in the first twelve minutes, giving the Hornets the NBA record for most points scored in the first quarter. (tied with Golden State vs. Denver in 2019) and tied the franchise record for most rushing yards in a quarter. It was 84-60 at halftime and Charlotte had already hit 14 3-pointers. Terry Rozier had a season-high 39 points, while LaMelo Ball had 24 and 12 assists. Conversely, Giannis Antetokounmpo was also swept by the Hornets, finishing with just 9 points (2/7) in 22 minutes. An evening to forget for the Bucks as they travel to the Knicks on Monday.
Hayes shines
Also note Zach LaVine’s 41 points (3 from 11/13!) in the Bulls’ 112-126 win at Philadelphia this Friday, and 4 points and 3 rebounds from Evan Fournier in the Knicks’ 108-112 win at Toronto. Nikola Jokic’s new triple-double (28 points, 15 rbds, 10 pds) in Denver’s 121-108 win over Cleveland and, finally, Killian Hayes’ outstanding game (18 points, 7 pds, 5 inches) despite Detroit’s 121-109 loss to Santon. .
NBA / SUBJECT
Friday, January 6, 2023
Toronto Raptors – New York Knicks : 108-112
Evan Fournier’s stats (NYK): 12 minutes, 4 points (2/4 shooting, including 0/2 3-pointers, 0 free throw attempts), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 fouls
Oklahoma City Thunder -Washington Wizards: 127-110
Ousmane Dieng (OKC) did not play with a wrist injury
Milwaukee Bucks – Charlotte Hornets : 109-138
Theo Maledon (CHA), sent to the G-League, did not play
San Antonio Spurs – Detroit Pistons: 121-109
Killian Hayes (DET) stats: 36 minutes, 18 points (8/14 shooting, including 2/5 3-pointers, 0 free throw attempts), 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls
Minnesota Timberwolves -Los Angeles Clippers: 128-115
Rudy Gobert (MIN) stats: 36 minutes of play, 25 points (11/15 shooting, including 0 3-pointers, 3/5 free throws), 21 rebounds, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers, 2 fouls
Nicolas Batum (LAC), injured ankle and Moussa Diabaté (LAC) did not play
Denver Nuggets – Cleveland Cavaliers: 121-108
Phoenix Suns – Miami Heat : 96-104
Los Angeles Lakers – Atlanta Hawks : 130-114
Indiana Pacers – Portland Trail Blazers: 108-99
Philadelphia 76ers – Chicago Bulls : 112-126
New Orleans Pelicans – Brooklyn Nets : 102-108
