Thunder and Timberwolves, in the fight for the top

The Oklahoma City Thunder needed two overtimes to win a game they lost by 23 against the Toronto Raptors, while the Minnesota Timberwolves achieved a solid victory against the Houston Rockets on Sunday in the NBA. For their part, the Utah Jazz staged a great comeback with a 40-13 lead in the last quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks who are not getting the ball rolling with Doc Rivers.

THUNDER 135 – 127 RAPTORS
The Oklahoma City Thunder (35-15) needed two overtimes to beat the Toronto Raptors (17-32) and retain the lead in the Western Conference.

The Thunder went up from -23 in the third quarter with a 19-2 run after Toronto’s maximum difference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 14 assists was the best for Oklahoma City.

TIMBERWOLVES 111 – 90 ROCKETS
Minnesota Timberwolves (35-15) won with 32 points and 6 rebounds from Anthony Edwards, a game in which they clearly dominated the second half.

Turkish Alperen Sengun was the top scorer for the Houston Rockets (23-26) with just 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The Timberwolves lead the West tied in wins and losses with the Thunder, while the Rockets are out of the postseason spots.

JAZZ 123 – 108 DOLLARS
Disastrous last quarter for the Milwaukee Bucks (33-17) in Utah, who started winning by 12 and ended up losing by 15 after receiving a 40-13 partial. It was their third loss in four games with Doc Rivers as coach.

Rookie Keyonte George led the Utah Jazz (25-26) with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and dished out 13 assists for the Bucks.

With their victory, the Jazz cling to tenth place in the West, last in postseason positions. The Bucks remain second in the East, but are chased by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

MAGICIANS 112 – 140 SUNS
Bradley Beal recorded his best performance with the Phoenix Suns (29-21) on his return to Washington, which was his home for 11 seasons. Beal scored 43 points and the Suns remain in sixth place in the West.

For the Washington Wizards (9-40), the top scorer was Deni Avdija with 24 points.

CELTICS 131- 91 BROWN
Return day in the NBA. Marcus Smart returned to Boston, where he played 9 seasons, but this time as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, although he was unable to play in the game due to injury.

The Boston Celtics (38-12) got revenge on the Grizzlies (18-32) for Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers without Lebron James or Anthony Davis.

Jayson Tatum was the best for the Celtics with 34 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Scotty Pippen Jr. stood out for the Grizzlies with 19 points and 6 rebounds.

HEAT 95 – 103 CUTTERS
The Los Angeles Clippers (33-15) consolidate third place in the West with a hard-fought victory against the Miami Heat (26-24).

Kawhi Leonard with 25 points and 11 rebounds and James Harden with 21 points and 11 assists led the Clippers, while Jimmy Butler scored 21 points for Miami.

AMERICAN NUGS 112 – 103
The Portland Trail Blazers (15-35) led the score during the first three quarters but the Denver Nuggets (35-16) imposed their hierarchy in the last quarter.

Nikola Jokic was the best for the Nuggets with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Deandre Ayton stood out for the Blazers with 27 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds.

HORNETS 99 – 115 MARKERS
Seventh consecutive loss for the Charlotte Hornets (10-38), which the Indiana Pacers (28-23) took advantage of to recover, having just lost three games.

Debutant Pascal Siakam with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists was once again the best for the Pacers, while Brandon Miller stood out for the Hornets with 35 points and 6 rebounds.

With this victory, the Pacers remain in sixth position in the East, the last one that gives direct access to the playoffs.

PISTONS 99 – 111 MAGIC
New defeat for the Detroit Pistons (6-43), the worst team in the league, which took the initiative for much of the first half. Cade Cunningham was their best player with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.

German forward Franz Wagner equaled his highest score – with 38 points – for the Orlando Magic (27-23) to consolidate seventh place in the East, the first to give access to the play-in.