Today’s six-game schedule has provided more clarity for NBA fans, especially with how the landscape of both conferences are shaping up.
With their victory over the Raptors along with the Grizzlies’ most recent win, the Suns strengthened their hold at the top spot although the Warriors remain within touching distance.
Memphis extended their win streak to 10 games which is the best in the league and it’s clear that they’re the real deal. On the other hand, the Clippers can breathe a sigh of relief following their big comeback win over the Nuggets.
In the East, meanwhile, the Bulls also bolstered their NBA 2022 odds of maintaining the top seed with a blowout victory over the Pistons.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps the latest NBA 2022 results.
Suns have opportunity to widen the gap
Not only do the Suns are the top seed of the West, but they also have the league’s best record at 31-9. After losing in a blowout to the Heat last Sunday, they bounced back right away with a close win over the Raptors – who were on a six-game winning streak.
Five starters scored in double figures for Phoenix in this game. Jae Crowder had a game-high of 19 points. Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker had 16 apiece, while Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges tallied 15 and 12 respectively.
The Raptors looked like they were on their way to snatch their seventh consecutive victory as they had more opportunities at the ball, with the Suns turning the ball over 20 times and surrendering a season-high 22 offencive rebounds for Toronto.
Both teams exchanged leads in the final quarter. However, a clutch Devin Booker jumper and a succeeding miss by Pascal Siakam was enough for the win.
After this game they’ll continue their road trip against bottom-half teams such as the Pacers, Pistons, and Spurs. All those games are considered winnable, and if they’d get the job done their lead would grow even bigger.
Klay Thompson still shaking off rust while Grizzlies remain sharp
Fun is an understatement to describe the match between the Warriors and the Grizzlies.
Both teams played a close game up until the final four minutes where Tyus Jones uncorked consecutive three-pointers to give the hosts a nine-point lead which provided enough buffer for them to secure their 10th straight victory – a franchise record.
Ja Morant, who was named as the Western Conference Player of the Week for the second straight time, led the fearless Grizzlies with 29 points and eight assists while Tyus Jones and Ziaire Williams recorded 17 each.
As for the Warriors, Steph Curry has 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season. Klay Thompson had 14 points, but he shot below 50-per cent again for the field.
Thompson had a similar output in his first game back vs. the Cavaliers last Monday and it may take some time for him to return to his old lethal self. But overall, his return without any fitness setbacks is a welcome sight for Golden State fans nonetheless.
Bulls continue to take care of business
The Bulls got back on the winning track after seeing their season-best nine-game winning streak halted by the Mavericks last Sunday by destroying the Pistons, 133-87.
Nikola Vucevic had a team-high of 22 points while DeMar DeRozan had 20 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, and Lonzo Ball added 18 points and six rebounds.
Josh Jackson and Saddiq Bey had 16 and 14 for the Pistons in the losing effort.
Chicago had a nine-point lead by half-time, but they quickly turned it into a rout by starting the second half on a 17-0 run and they ended the third period with a score of 97-66.
The Bulls have now scored at least 130 points six times this season, which is the most of any NBA team so far this season.
The Clippers badly miss their stars
The Clippers are in a precarious position since they sit at the eighth spot in the Western Conference with a 21-21 win-loss card.
Despite their comeback victory over the Nuggets, the Clippers are still worse without Paul George or Kawhi Leonard as they’ve gone 4-6 in their last 10 games.
With limited options at his disposal, Tyronn Lue has given more playing time to his youngsters such as Terance Mann, Amir Coffey, and Brandon Boston Jr., and they’ve shown glimpses of their potential.
Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, and Marcus Morris Sr. have been trying to keep the Clippers afloat, but they are too inconsistent to be trusted to carry the heavy load on a nightly basis.
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