Back on the various games of the night in the NBA and especially those of the French.
THE NIGHT GAME
After two victories against the Lakers and Phoenix, the Clippers passed their first test tonight against Utah. In his hall, the team of Los Angeles did not tremble with the teammates of Rudy Gobert (102-84), thanks to a third quarter perfectly controlled and an 18-2 to start. Deprived of Teodosic, the Clippers relied on their five major to win. With Blake Griffin (22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists), DeAndre Jordan (11 points and 18 rebounds) and points Beverley (19), Rivers (16) and Gallinari (14), the team of Doc Rivers is offered a third straight victory at the start of the regular season. Opposite, despite a good contribution of Sefolosha and Johnson's bench, the Jazz did not keep the distance. Rubio (10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists), Mitchell (19 points in 7 out of 20 shots) and Gobert (12 points and 7 rebounds) failed to follow the pace imposed by the Clippers offensively.
THE MVP OF THE NIGHT
Deprived of Derrick Rose and José Calderon, the Cavs, defeated by the Orlando Magic (93-114), once again handed LeBron James the lead. Faced with the Bulls, the native of Akron has perfectly assumed his role and finished with 34 points (13 out of 20 shots), 13 assists, 3 interceptions for 2 lost balloons. Less prominent in rebounds, James saved his Cavs a new disillusionment on his floor. Finally well supported by his lieutenants Kevin Love, Jeff Green and Dwyane Wade, the triple MVP was the great player in the victory of his side against Chicago (119-112). If the performance of "King James" is remarkable, that of Aaron Gordon (41 points and 14 rebounds in 37 minutes) for the Magic is just as much.The latter has indeed caught fire: "Air Gordon" has also made strong in the victory of Orlando against the Nets (125-121).
THE NIGHT FLOP
This is called a nice road exit. At the Target Center, the Timberwolves missed out and failed to repeat a performance worthy of the last outings against Oklahoma City (113-115) and Utah (100-97). Against Indiana, Minnesota responded well after a first quarter-time missed and at the break, both teams were back-to-back (61-61). But the end of the game was largely to the advantage of the Pacers who are required to 23 points outside (107-130). A small humiliation for the team of Tom Thibodeau, whose defense is often touted. It must be said that Collison (15 points and 16 assists), Oladipo (28 points), Bogdanovic (19 points) and Joseph (21 points) out of the bench were not asked. For the Wolves, who had to do without Butler, Towns (28 points and 7 rebounds) was too lonely, helped by Bjelica and Crawford to 18 units each. Expected reaction in Detroit!
FRENCH NIGHT
If Evan Fournier (28 points (9/15 on fire), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 fouls, 3 steals, 1 ball lost in 36 minutes) was very good during the Magic victory against Brooklyn (125 -121), the other French were much less in focus. Rudy Gobert (12 points (5 out of 5 shots), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 lost ball and 3 blocks in 31 minutes) was rather shy with the Jazz, while the others have little (Yabusele) or not played for various reasons.
NIGHT DECLARE
"We just need them to be good at what they know best" - Brad Stevens, the Boston coach, about his young players on the bench, whose contribution is set to increase to the injury of Gordon Hayward.
THE TOP 10 OF NIGHT
NBA - REGULAR SEASON
Tuesday October 24th 2017
Cleveland Cavaliers - Chicago Bulls: 119-112
Orlando Magic - Brooklyn Nets: 125-121
>>> Evan Fournier (ENT): 28 points (9/15 on fire), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 fouls, 3 interceptions, 1 lost ball in 36 minutes
>>> Yakuba Ouattara (BRO) did not play
Boston Celtics - New York Knicks: 109-89
>>> Guerschon Yabusele (BOS): 4 points (1 in 1 shooting) in 2 minutes
>>> Joakim Noah (NYK) did not play (suspended)
>>> Frank Ntilikina (NYK) did not play (injured)
Minnesota Timberwolves - Indiana Pacers: 107-130
Portland Trail Blazers - New Orleans Pelicans: 103-93
>>> Alexis Ajinça (NOR) did not play (injured)
Los Angeles Clippers - Utah Jazz: 102-84
>>> Rudy Gobert (UTH): 12 points (5 out of 5 on shots), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 lost ball and 3 blocks in 31 minutes