Utah 122, Boston 108
Golden State 114, San Antonio 91
Detroit 122, Brooklyn 111
Miami 98, New York 96
New Orleans 130, Houston 101
Philadelphia 119, Sacramento 111
Portland 106, Orlando 97
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Donovan Mitchell poured in 36 points as the Utah Jazz extended their Western Conference lead on Tuesday with a 122-108 defeat of the Boston Celtics.
Mitchell delivered another virtuoso performance which included six three-pointers and nine assists as the Jazz rolled to a win that equaled their best ever start to a season.
Joe Ingles added 24 points while French international Rudy Gobert muscled his way to 18 points in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz now lead the West with a 20-5 record, one game clear of the Los Angeles Lakers, having won 16 of their last 17 games.
”I think the biggest thing is our competitiveness, continuing the fight,” said Mitchell, revealing that Utah was determined to atone for their disappointing first-round loss to Denver in last season’s playoffs.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics’ scoring with 33 points, while Jayson Tatum had 23.
– ‘Best ever’ Curry –
Elsewhere Tuesday, Steph Curry delivered a dazzling performance as the Golden State Warriors scored a 114-91 road victory at the San Antonio Spurs.
Curry finished with 32 points in the win, with six Warriors teammates ending up in double digits. Rudy Gay led the Spurs scorers with 17 points off the bench.
But it was Curry who hogged the limelight after another gem of a display in what is rapidly becoming an MVP-calibre season for the Warriors talisman.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes Curry is playing better than ever.
”That’s part of Steph’s brilliance — he just constantly amazes you to the point where you almost take it for granted,” Kerr said.
”This is the best I’ve ever seen him from a confidence and a strength standpoint. And that’s saying something for a two-time MVP. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look better.”
– Nets slump –
In Detroit, the Brooklyn Nets crashed to a third straight loss against the lowly Pistons, losing 122-111.
The Nets — with Kevin Durant absent due to Covid-19 protocols — once again put in another abject defensive display as the Pistons, bottom of the Eastern Conference, romped to a 122-111 home win.
It marked the seventh straight game that the Nets have shipped 120 points or more, an unwanted new record for a franchise with designs on becoming an NBA powerhouse following the signing of James Harden last month.
The Pistons dominated from the outset, racing into a 38-26 lead in the first quarter and never relinquishing their grip on the contest thereafter. The Pistons led by 20 at one stage in the second quarter. 0
