Anthony Edwards scored the decisive basket to topple the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday and the Oklahoma City Thunder took advantage to extend their lead over the Texans in the NBA West, on a day in which the New York Knicks triumphed in Portland to extend their pressure on the Detroit Pistons, leaders in the East. In a U.S. sports weekend in which the spotlight was on the NFL playoffs, the NBA organized a day of ten games that included a Spanish derby won by the Memphis Grizzlies of Santi Aldama (15 points) against the Brooklyn Nets of coach Jordi Fernández.
Edwards got the last word in the Minneapolis thriller, connecting on the decisive basket with 17 seconds left to hold off the second-place San Antonio Spurs in the West. ‘Ant’ sealed 23 points and Donte DiVincenzo came through with 19 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Wolves, who survived the powerful return of Frenchman Victor Wembanyama to the Spurs’ starting five. Wemby scored 29 points and grabbed six rebounds in 26 minutes on the court, but his team ended up paying for its modest 38% shooting from the field as a group.
Shai returns with victory
The Thunder did not fail, defeating the Miami Heat 124-112 in the return, with 29 points and eight assists, of Shai Gilgeous Alexander.
OKC boasts the best record in the NBA, with 33 wins and only seven losses.
He is emerging as the favorite to retain the championship ring won last season.
In the East, the Detroit Pistons (28-10) lead, but their loss on Saturday coupled with Sunday’s win by the Knicks (25-14) reduced their margin.
The Knicks cruised to a 123-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers with 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists from Jalen Brunson and 24 points from OG Anunoby.
It was a creditable win for the Knicks against a Blazers team that had won five in a row so far this NBA season.
Strong performance by Aldama
In the Spanish derby, Santi Aldama scored 15 points in the 103-98 victory of the Memphis Grizzlies against the Brooklyn Nets.
Aldama finished the game with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 33 quality minutes coming off the bench for the Grizzlies.
The Canary Islander connected on seven of his ten shots from the field, making one of two three-pointers, and also had a steal.
Cedric Coward sealed 21 points and eight assists, hitting two of his five three-pointers down the stretch to break the deadlock.
Memphis rebounded after two consecutive losses.
They placed tenth in the NBA’s Western Conference with a record of 17 wins and 22 losses.
Thea NBA organized a ten-game slate
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Hawks’ surprise against Steph Curry
CJ McCollum’s tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, which he joined in exchange for Trae Young from the Washington Wizards, began in style.
With a win at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Warriors (124-111).
Jalen Johnson signed a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 23.
Luke Kennard sealed 22 and McCollum contributed 12 coming off the bench.
Steph Curry’s 31 points were not enough for the Warriors.
Trae Young remains undrafted for the Wizards, who lost 112-93 at the Phoenix Suns.
Among the other NBA Sunday results, the Denver Nuggets beat the Milwaukee Bucks (108-104).
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings beat the Houston Rockets (111-98).
With information from EFE
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