The NBA lived a night for history this Thursday in which the Memphis Grizzlies broke the record for the greatest point difference in an NBA game and in which the Phoenix Suns added their eighteenth consecutive victory, which is a mark never before reached by the Arizona franchise.
The biggest starter of the day was given by the Grizzlies, who destroyed the Oklahoma City Thunder by 73 points (152-79) and thus broke the record for the largest margin in an NBA game.
Until now, the biggest difference in an NBA game corresponded to a game on December 17, 1991 in which the Cleveland Cavaliers pulverized the Miami Heat by 68 points (148-80).
Spanish Santi Aldama was part of this historic Grizzlies party and also signed his best performance since landing in the NBA.
Aldama was the third highest scorer for his team and played 28 minutes in which he got a double-double of 18 points (8 of 16 shooting), 10 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies had nine players above 10 points, they made 62.5% of their shots, at halftime they were already winning 72-36 and went on to win by 78 points in the fourth quarter.
The game also marks the Grizzlies’ record for points in a game in franchise history.
Argentine Gabriel Deck suffered in first person this very hard defeat of the Thunder and contributed 4 points (2 of 5 in shots), 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 22 minutes.
On the other hand, the Suns extended their magnificent consecutive winning streak to eighteen by beating the Detroit Pistons (114-103).
The team of Chris Paul and Devin Booker now has the best record in the NBA (19-3) and leads the Western Conference ahead of the Golden State Warriors of Stephen Curry (18-3).
Suns and Warriors will meet this Friday in a reissue of last Tuesday’s fantastic duel in which Phoenix’s team toppled San Francisco (104-96).
Booker did not play tonight due to injury against the Pistons in a game in which the collective effort of the Suns shone with seven players above ten points.
Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson were the offensive referents for the Suns with 19 points per head.
SUSPENSION IN THE EAST
The Eastern Conference experienced two highly contested clashes that were not resolved until the last seconds.
On the one hand, the Milwaukee Bucks, in which Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play due to discomfort in the calves, fell to the Toronto Raptors (97-93) and thus lost their first game after eight consecutive victories.
The reigning NBA champions were 8 points behind with two minutes to go, but they did not give up and even had a triple by Pat Connaughton that would have put them in front with just six seconds left.
The three-shot did not go in and the Raptors pocketed the game thanks to a great Fred VanVleet who had 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
In New York another thriller was experienced with the narrow victory of the Chicago Bulls, who are now second in the East, over the combative New York Knicks (115-119).
The first part was a recital by the Bulls, who came to win by 21 points; but in the second half, the Knicks were resurrected, after going the whole game from behind, they culminated the comeback with less than five minutes to go.
Julius Randle (30 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists) led the Knicks to believe until the last moments, but in the end the power of the Bulls’ stellar trio prevailed: DeMar DeRozan (34 points), Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine ( both with 27 points).
The day closed with the resounding victory away from the San Antonio Spurs over the Portland Trail Blazers (83-114).
EAST CONFERENCE:
1.- Brooklyn Nets (15-6).
2.- Chicago Bulls (15-8)
3.- Washington Wizards (14-8)
4.- Milwaukee Bucks (14-9).
5.- Miami Heat (13-9).
6.- Cleveland Cavaliers (12-10).
7.- Atlanta Hawks (12-10).
8.- Boston Celtics (12-10).
9.- Charlotte Hornets (13-11).
10.- New York Knicks (11-11).
11.- Philadelphia 76ers (11-11).
12.- Toronto Raptors (10-13).
13.- Indiana Pacers (9-15).
14.- Orlando Magic (5-18).
15.- Detroit Pistons (4-18).
WEST CONFERENCE:
1.- Phoenix Suns (19-3).
2.- Golden State Warriors (18-3).
3.- Utah Jazz (14-7).
4.- Dallas Mavericks (11-9).
5.- Memphis Grizzlies (12-10).
6.- Los Angeles Lakers (12-11).
7.- Los Angeles Clippers (11-11).
8.- Minnesota Timberwolves (11-11).
9.- Portland Trail Blazers (11-12).
10.- Denver Nuggets (10-11).
11.- Sacramento Kings (9-14).
12.- San Antonio Spurs (7-13).
13.- Oklahoma City Thunder (6-16).
14.- New Orleans Pelicans (6-18).
15.- Houston Rockets (5-16).
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Grizzlies make NBA history, Suns beat record for wins