Tatum and James send their dreams on ‘MLK Day’
Jayson Tatum’s 51 points to lead the Celtics to their seventh straight win and LeBron James’ 48 points to revive the Lakers shined on the NBA’s “Martin Luther King Day,” the third Monday in January that marks the anniversary of the Reverend’s birth.
Tatum paid homage to MLK in Charlotte, where he delivered his 1960 “The Black and the American Dream” speech, announcing his famous “I Have a Dream” almost three years later.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do and I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my dream,” he said immediately after his recital that led the Celtics to a 130-118 victory over the Hornets, their seventh in a row.
Smart (15/23, 9 rebounds), Tatum scored like he knows how to do, but he also created a number of opportunities on offense, offering some layups, such as this alley-oop for a dunk by Robert Williams III by.
Charlotte, led by 17 units, managed to score -2 in the second half behind Jalen McDaniels (26 points) and LaMelo Ball (25 points). But Tatum took matters into his own hands, planting three consecutive long-range banderillas in the final two minutes to finish the fourth quarter with 18 points.
Hardly, the Celtics, who have the best record in the league (33-12), are two points ahead of the Bucks, who defeated the Pacers (132-119).
– Memphis impresses –
It was led by 2021 champion Jrue Holiday (35 points, 11 assists) in Milwaukee, where in 1964 the FBI asked Marquette University not to award an honorary degree to Dr. King on the pretext of communist ties. Indiana had to be against Myles Turner (30 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks).
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland passes during an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 16, 2023 in Cleveland / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
In Cleveland, where MLK was very popular, as evidenced by the nearly 14,000 people who marched him to church for his 1963 speech, the Cavs (5th) scored 12 on Darius Garland’s lead in the final quarter. His 30 points (11 assists) beat New Orleans (113-103).
The Pelicans (3rd) trailed the Grizzlies (2nd), neck and neck with top seed Denver after their tenth straight victory over the Suns (136-106). In Memphis, where MLK was assassinated on April 4, 1968, Ja Morant (29 points) and Desmond Bane (28 points) hung around.
Behind Phoenix (12th), the Lakers are closing in because LeBron James was relentless and determined (9 assists, 7 rebounds) in a win against Houston (140) in Los Angeles, where MLK calmed spirits after the 1965 Watts riots. -132).
– 41 points for Curry –
LA Lakers superstar LeBron James (#6) during an NBA game against the Houston Rockets on January 16, 2023 in Los Angeles / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
“LBJ” is only 318 points short of passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) to become the all-time leading scorer.
In New York, where Luther King spoke out against the Vietnam War in 1967, the Raptors survived the Knicks’ RJ Barrett (32 points), running 6/10 from the buzzer. Finally winning (123-121), especially thanks to Fred VanVleet (33 points, 8 assists).
In Washington, where the civil rights activist famously said “I have a dream” on August 28, 1963, the Warriors finally regained their desire and excitement to beat the Wizards (127-118) after four embarrassing losses in five games.
“At this stage, it’s all about trying to right the ship and get some good momentum back,” Stephen Curry said.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry celebrates during an NBA game against the Washington Wizards on January 16, 2023 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
His 12 points in the last quarter, Draymond Green’s 11 points (total of 17 points, 10 assists), Jordan Poole’s (32 points) were very important.
Finally, on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., the Falcons won their third consecutive victory at the expense of Miami (121-113), which was mainly due to Dejounte Murray (28 points, 7 assists). . Jimmy Butler (34 points) led the Heat’s rebellion to nothing.
