The Denver Nuggets on Wednesday cut short the great form of the Boston Celtics of Spaniard Hugo Gonzalez, the San Antonio Spurs sealed their tenth consecutive victory and increased the pressure for the lead in the West after the defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Detroit Pistons, who are increasingly leading the NBA East.
The Celtics came into Denver riding a four-game winning streak, but ran into Serbian Nikola Jokic, who starred with 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
Denver sentences with a devastating partial
A 15-0 run between late in the third period and early in the fourth led the way to a 103-84 win for the Nuggets, who are fourth in the West (37-22).
On a night in which Jamal Murray played only seven minutes before retiring due to a health problem.
The Celtics, second in the East, surrendered despite a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds from Jaylen Brown and 20 points from Derrick White (18 of them in the second quarter).
Freshman Hugo González contributed five points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 10 minutes on the court.
Big win for Denver over Boston on an exciting Wednesday night in the NBA.
Pistons, best record in the NBA
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Thunder 124-116 in the first head-to-head of the season between two teams with NBA Finals aspirations.
With this result, the Pistons surpassed the Thunder in winning percentage (75.4% vs. 75%).
Becoming the best team in the league, a key criterion for deciding home-field advantage in the playoffs.
But in front of them were the Pistons, who rule the East with an iron fist.
They were fueled by the duo of Cade Cunningham, who finished the game with 29 points and 13 assists, and Jalen Duren, who had another 29 points and 15 rebounds.
Behind the Pistons and Celtics are the New York Knicks, who did not play on Wednesday, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost in Milwaukee to the Bucks.
Cavs can’t do without Harden and Mitchell
The Cavs came to Fiserv Forum having won six of their last seven games.
But their good form was marred by a broken thumb on one hand suffered by James Harden.
The Beard was out in Milwaukee as was Donovan Mitchell, also injured, and the Cavs fell 118-116 to the Bucks despite battling to the end.
A basket by Jarrett Allen (27 points and 11 rebounds) could have sent the game to overtime, but his shot came after the horn sounded.
For the Bucks, without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Porter Jr. scored 20 points and Ryan Rollins, 18.
Not taking advantage of the Cavs’ loss were the Toronto Raptors, fifth in the East, who lost at home to the San Antonio Spurs, second in the West behind the Thunder.
The San Antonio Spurs secured their tenth consecutive victory
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The Spurs’ tenth
The Spurs (45-15) sealed their tenth consecutive victory and put pressure on OKC (42-16), in a not very brilliant night for Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who did not score more than 12 points.
The center, who added five blocks, made only three of his 12 shots from the field and one of his six attempts from beyond the arc.
But the Spurs could count on a solid performance from Devin Vassell (21 points) and De’Aaron Fox (20).
Tied with the Nuggets for third place are the Houston Rockets, who rolled over the Sacramento Kings 128-97 to the tune of Alperen Sengun (26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists).
Reed Sheppard scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 21 for the Texans.
In addition, the Golden State Warriors, without Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis or Jimmy Butler, triumphed 133-112 at the Memphis Grizzlies without Canary Islander Santi Aldama (Filed under: NBA Denver stops Boston).
With information from EFE
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