Nothing from the duel between Nikola Jokić and his successor in Houston, Alperen Sengun, because both centers played their worst games so far in the NBA season.
Denver center Jokić was visibly tired, despite not missing any of the 27 games and having played over 40 minutes in the previous two. He didn't have a single player in the mood, and the team's weakness was affected by the absences of Aaron Gordon, Christian Brown and Peyton Watson.
Houston used that to get revenge on Denver for the loss in the game before last after overtime, and the Rockets celebrated thanks to the great Kevin Durant and Reed Shepard, who scored 11 points (28 total) in just the last minute of the third quarter.
Houston was fantastic from three points and had a 60 percent success rate until the coach decided to rest the starting lineup.
Jokić had 25 points (9/20 from the field, 1/4 three-pointers, 6/7 free throws), seven rebounds and five assists but five turnovers. Šengun also "sold" as many turnovers, with eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Los Angeles Derby went to the Clippers, who convincingly defeated the Lakers, despite LeBron James' best performance of the season. Luka Dončić's left leg injury, along with the already absent Austin Reeves, DeAndre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, meant that the Lakers "surrendered" in the 19th minute when the Slovenian ace left the court.
On the other side, Ivca Zubac twisted his ankle, but Kawhi Leonard was great with 32 points and 12 rebounds, while James Harden scored 21 points and shared 10 assists. John Collins had 17 points and 12 steals, Brook Lopez scored 11 points...
It was also exciting on the Utah court, where the Jazz lost to Orlando on a goal by Desmond Bayne at the buzzer.
The results:
Denver - Houston 101:115 (Jokić 25 - Durant 31)
New Orleans - Indiana 128:109 (Williamson 29 - Siakam 22)
Philadelphia - Dallas 121:114 (Maxi 38 - Davis, Flagg 24)
Toronto - Boston 96:112 (Ingram, Mamukelasvili 24 - Pritchard 33)
Detroit - Charlotte 112:86 (Cunningham 22 - Bridges 19/
Memphis - Washington 122:130 (Aldama 37 - George 28)
Golden State - Phoenix 119:116 (Curry 28 - Booker 38)
Utah - Orlando 127:128 pp (George 27 - Bayne 32)
Sacramento - Portland 93:98 (Schroeder 21 - Avdija 24)
LA Clippers - LA Lakers 103:88 (Leonard 32 - James 36)
Bonus video:
