Curry, LeBron and Harden shone at Christmas: what left the traditional NBA day – La Tercera

When most sports take a break from the holidays, the NBA draws the world’s attention. The traditional “Christmas Day” is a day marked by fans and experts. A day where the organization usually offers some of the best games that can be given in the league and this year it was not the expression.

Although hehe wave of Covid that affects the United States has more than ninety players within the health and safety protocols, the emotions were on the surface. Curry, Harden and Antetokounmpo took the MVP cap and gave a show, LeBron broke records but suffered a tough loss to the Nets, and the Knicks gave a dance against the Hawks, in a game with hot history.

When the NBA determined that the Nets would face the Lakers on November 25, everyone was delighted to see the two “best” Big Three in the league face to face: LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Wstbrook, against Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. But the truth is that the Covid (KD and Irving) and the injuries (Davis) left the cast halfway. Still, the duel brought sparks, claims and records.

LeBron, with his 39 points, managed to become the player who has scored the most on Christmas Day, surpassing the 395 that Kobe Bryant achieved during his career. The King already has 422.

But the record came with defeat, and that is The Nets shone thanks to the Harden-Mills duo and ended up beating the 2020 champions 122-115. The Australian was the first NBA player to hit eight 3-pointers in a game on Christmas Day, while Barba took responsibility for Durant’s discharge and was the lifeblood of the Brooklyn team.

The Lakers for their part suffer their fifth loss in a row, are eighth in the West (16-18) and continue to add criticism for their performance. Westbrook was again one of the most targeted after a game where he had 4 of 20 shooting (0-3 in fourth quarter), five fouls and three losses

Curry and the Warriors continue to show that they are the best in the league so far. A fact that is not only given by an impeccable balance (27-6), but also by the level of its players. To the routine of the extraordinary of the 30, this Christmas was added the great night of Otto Porter Jr. A combination that helped the San Francisco team to overcome its great rivals this season, the Phoenix Suns. It was victory 116 to 107 for those led by Steve Kerr.

Curry nailed 33 points and was a triple from achieving 3,000 of his career, adding gallons for an MVP who seems closer and closer. But it was not only the chef who got applause and the 10 points scored by Otto Porter in the fourth quarter, they were a real madness. Prepare for a conference final between these two teams. Nobody plays better than them.

Since the conference semifinals last season, the relationship between Atlanta and the Knicks is not the same. That’s why the NBA knew that putting on a game like this at Christmas was a scream and silver lining. And the players did not fail. Despite the fact that Trae Young could not be there because of the Covid, the New York fans did not forget him and insulted him in the last minutes of the game. “They only say it at the end now?!? smart.” The Hawks franchise player wrote in his networks, when the “Fuck You, Trae Young” were replicated at Madison Square Garden.

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On the court, the game was all for the Knicks, who they beat 101-87 with a tremendous performance from Kemba Walker, who after being out of the team’s rotation for several weeks, has managed to resurface from the shadows. Yesterday got his first triple double since 2014, by achieving 10 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo had a stellar return to the league after leaving the NBA’s health protocol, demonstrating his absolute dominance in the game. He had 36 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to help Milwaukke score his third straight win.

On the other hand, in the last game of the day, the Utah Jazz defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-116, who did not have Luka Doncic.

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Curry, LeBron and Harden shone at Christmas: what left the traditional NBA day – La Tercera