About Last Night: Paul directs the show



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Houston Rockets goaltender Chris Paul spent enough time on the NBA (14 seasons) to know that regular season games do not mean much in this ambitious scheme.

As such, he was not about to get excited with Saturday's win on the 118-112 road against the two defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, in which the Rockets overcame the absence of the Kia's MVP, James Harden, and recovered to finish strong after hitting Avance by 20 points.

"Good victory," said Paul. "We had a game in Atlanta on Monday."

And so the marathon continues, with this competition and 22 more to follow before the start of the series on April 13.

But nothing else, the Rockets' third win in as many games with the Warriors this season has proven just how good Paul can be, even with his doggy days behind him and his 34th birthday fast approaching.

Paul worked with the Warriors for 23 points and 17 assists, joining a rare company.

It's hard to imagine a squad made up of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green who could struggle to fight, scoring 14.8 points for 100 goods in 12 minutes. the Rockets.

This is largely due to Paul, who exploited the Cousins' lack of mobility by dragging the center into a game of choice.

This is not exactly a new strategy. But that may be one of the few ways to seriously threaten the Warriors, as the Rockets did last season when they led 3-2 in the Western Conference finals, before Paul , injured, is forced to watch the last two games, both defeats. bench.

And with another even better starter in Harden, there is no doubt that the Rockets, no matter how little the game gives them on Friday, are dying to regain their health and win another shot after the season. in the league.

Be careful, coach!

We do not know how, but Kerr managed to not immediately notice one of his best players who was rolling on the floor with intense pain right in front of him.

Although he did not seem particularly convincingGreen said he did not expect to miss playing time with the sprained ankle. Durant said it would not matter even if he did it: "I mean, he'll be back for the playoffs, that's the only thing that worries us here, is not it?"

Courage Profiles

First, it was Allen Jarrett. Now we have Anthony Tolliver, the Minnesota Timberwolves striker, who has become the last NBA player to put his life at risk by challenging superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee Bucks to the rim.

Alas, the incredible defensive play of Tolliver made little difference as Antetokounmpo dominated as usual, scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 140-128 win for the Bucks.

Keep pace

The Indiana Pacers suffered what appeared to be an insurmountable blow on January 23, when Victor Oladipo was lost for the season with a broken quad tendon. But after losing four straight in a row, the Pacers recovered to win eight of their last nine games, including the 119-112 victory over the Washington Wizards.

In addition to posting the league's second highest defensive score over this period, nine Pacers are averaging 7.9 points per game. The burns on the ground are not followed, but they are probably among the leaders of the league there also thanks to the animated games like those of Kyle O. Quinn …

… and Wes Matthews.

What, he worries?

The Boston Celtics suffered their last inexplicable defeat, trailing up to 25 and loser 126-116 against a Bulls team that took part in Friday's action sitting 22 games under them in the standings.

It's not that Kyrie Irving is worried or anything.

And speaking of the Bulls, how is this remarkable?

Birthday boy

D & # 39; Angel Brooklyn netminder Angelo Russell entered the All-Star category for the first time last weekend with a career-high 20.2 point average.

What better way to celebrate these achievements on his 23rd birthday, no less than to play at one of the best games of his life?

In addition to reaching his career highs with 40 points, Russell had a great piece of cake by scoring the last 12 games of the Nets, including a huge 3 at the last minute, almost all alone. lift them in front of the Charlotte Hornets.

D & # 39; Angelo Russell scores the last 12 points to wear the Nets in front of the Hornets.

shooters

Atlanta Hawks rookie Trae Young quickly proved she was completely unaware of rock, ready to throw from anywhere. This aggressiveness, however, does not always go well with his teammates.

This was the case at the start of the second half against the Phoenix Suns, when Hawks striker John Collins, in inappropriate verbiage for a family-friendly website, questioned Young's shooting selection after his Stray shot 3 led to a quick break from the Suns.

Fortunately for the Hawks, Young did not listen. He scored 16 points in the remaining 21 minutes, including an even deeper draw 3 naturally, on a Collins help to help fuel the winning thrust.

Giant size

In case you have forgotten, the center of the 76ers of Philadelphia, Boban Marjanovic, is huuuuuuuuge.

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