Triple Tie Again in the West; Clippers Win Battle of Los Angeles
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Jan 2024
As an offshoot of Minnesota TimberWolves home defeat yesterday, it has become a three team logjam for the lead in the NBA West as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets caught up with the T-Wolves (30-13) with victories today.
Threatening to join the logjam on top of the West is the Kawhi Leonard-led LA Clippers (28-14) which is just one and a half won games behind after defeating the Lebron James-less LA Lakers, 127-116 in the Battle of Los Angeles, also today.
The Thunders (30-13) came from behind to nose out the Portland Trailblazers, 111-109 at the Paycom Center Arena in Oklahoma City. The defending champions Denver Nuggets (31-14) rolled over the still adjusting Indiana Pacers, 114-109 at the Gainbridge Field Arena in Indianapolis.
Shai Gilgeous Alexander led the Thunders with 33 points while getting support from Jaylen Williams (19 points) and Aaron Wiggins (13 points) and a battery of players who contributed at least 5 points including seven foot center Chet Holmgren who tallied 9 points and grabbed 10 boards.
The Blazers led at halftime 66-58 but the Thunders managed to come close and erased a five points margin in the final three minutes to eke out the win. The Blazers were led by Scoot Henderson with 19 points, Malcolm Brogdon and Jabari Grant with 18 points apiece and Anfernee Simon 17 points in a balanced attack that saw almost all Portland players fielded in scoring.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Smith scored 31 points each and got ample support from K Caldwell Pope and Reggie Jackson to lead the Nuggets over the Pacers who are led by Miles Turner and recent trade acquisition Pascal Siakam who is still easing himself in his new team.
The Clippers took full advantage of the absence of Lebron James to defeat the Lakers which at 22-23 are still in the race for the final eight. The Clippers were led by Leonard with 25, James Harden, 23, and the trio of Paul George, Terance Mann and Norman Powell with 17 each. Russell Westbrook chipped in 16 points and six rebounds.
De Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis held the fort for the Lakers with 26 and 25 points respectively but get little by way of scoring from the supporting cast that included Austin Reeves and Jakob Vandervilt with 12 points each and Riu Hachimura, 11.
Photo: Jalen Williams (No. 8) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the game-winning three point basket with two seconds to go in regulation to lift the Thunder to a 111-109 victory over the Portland Trailblazers in their game Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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