Phoenix relapses in Ayton’s absence, Chicago continues

The Phoenix Suns lost at home Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies (113-114) after a crazy end to the game, while the Chicago Bulls have a fourth consecutive victory on the floor of Atlanta (130-118).

Phoenix was private for this meeting of Jae Crowder, Elfrid Payton and Deandre Ayton, the last Suns player to be placed in solitary confinement on Monday. The Memphis workforce had five absentees.

Already losing two days earlier against Golden State (107-116), the franchise based in Arizona was up to 16 points behind in the third quarter before recovering at the end of the game under the leadership of Devin Booker, author of 30 points.

The full-back believed it gave the Suns the win with an award-winning shot with five seconds remaining, but Ja Morant answered her with a basket in penetration and she returned to Memphis. The Grizzlies point guard finished the game with 33 points and 4 assists, with fullback Desmond Bane adding 32 points.

Still in the West, Utah won on the floor of San Antonio (110-104) despite the absence of Donovan Mitchell, injured back. French Rudy Gobert was once again dominant under the circle with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jordan clarkson was the game’s leading scorer with 23 units. The Jazz remain third in the Conference, just behind the Suns.

In the East, Chicago dominated Atlanta at home (130-118) thanks to the remarkable performances of DeMar DeRozan and Zach lavine, authors of 65 points in both. The first was extremely skilful at mid-distance and under the basket (12/18), while the second scored five three-point baskets.

It was the eighth win in ten games for the Bulls, who faced a hugely diminished Atlanta team with 12 absent, but Trae young on the floor: the 23-year-old leader scored 29 points and delivered 9 assists.

In the other matches, Charlotte crushed Houston (123-99) while Boston lost to Minnesota (103-108) in the absence of Jayson tatum, also placed in Covid protocol on Monday.

The NBA has been experiencing an epidemic outbreak for two weeks, which sidelined nearly 200 players and forced the postponement of nine matches. To deal with the problem, the league announced on Monday the reduction in the isolation time for players who test positive for Covid, from ten to six days.

This new rule follows the recommendations of the health authorities who announced the same day the reduction of the duration of the quarantine from ten to five days for infected people, provided they are asymptomatic.