To observe the beginnings of Luka Daceic with the Lakers and Jimmy Butler with the Warriors, or the duel between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, we would almost forget that the riders fly over the Eastern Conference. That night, and for the 2nd time of the season, the players of Kenny Atkinson signed a 15th victory in a row!
But that it was complicated since the Nets led 18 points in the 3rd quarter. The reasons? Cavaliers, diminished (Mitchell Hunter and Jerome absent), and little involved in defense for 30 minutes, and nets who play without complex in the wake of Cam Thomas. By dint of playing small arm, the horsemen therefore find themselves at -18 in front of their audience (71-53), and it is Jarrett Allen who will ring the charge.
A “buzzer beater” that changes everything
Near the circle in attack, against in defense, but also in the offensive rebound, Allen gives envy to all his team. Darius Garland follows suit, and Cleveland quickly passes under the 10 points apart (75-68). Better still, at the buzzer, and from his camp, Craig Porter Jr. plants a 3-point with the board which puts a big blow on the heads of the Nets (86-78). As proof, three minutes later, Garland divided the gap in half (93-89).
The nets rely on Noah Clowney to take a little air, but he twists his ankle on a drive … Behind, Garland continues his festival, and the riders sign a 9-1 to take control (98-94). The nets are suffocated and the return to the game of Cam Thomas does not bring the desired spark. The “Money Time” is undecided, and Thomas forgets his teammates distinguished on a “Floater”. There were 46 seconds left, and it was a possession to return to -1 or -2. It only remains for riders to put their free throws, and Garland then Max Strus valued this 15th victory in a row: 109-104.
What to remember
The series of Cleveland. 15-0 to start the season, then 12-0, and now again 15-0. The riders are a great machine to win, and it's only the 6th team in history to chain two series of 15 wins and more in the same season.
A last one-way quarter. With Isaac Okoro as a defensive leader and Darius Garland as the first option, the riders found their game in the last quarter. The incredible shot from Craig Porter Jr. woke up the room and the team. Until then, the leaders of the conference was passive, as resigned to the game of passes and the address of the Nets.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
