The NBA preseason continues. On Saturday night, the reigning champions from Boston still look to be the measure of all things. Also: Memphis and San Antonio record narrow victories.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
As is so often the case in the preseason, not all stars were used on this particular night – Stephen Curry’s injury the day before may have been a deterrent. San Antonio did not use superstar Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, while Utah did not use Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson, among others.
However, the game turned out to be quite exciting even without the big star power. Both teams didn’t give each other much over three quarters. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the guests from Salt Lake City led by a narrow margin of three points (88:91).
However, the home team took control of the game in the final quarter. Led by Riley Minix (8 points) and rookie Stephon Castle (7 points, 3/4 FG), the Texans turned the game around late on. Keldon Johnson was the Spurs’ top scorer over all four quarters with 20 points (9/13 FG). New signing Chris Paul only scored three points (1/7 FG), but set up eight points with no turnovers. Collin Sexton was the top scorer for Utah (24 points, 8/16 FG).
Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies
In the second game of the evening, the Memphis Grizzlies had to do without their star player Ja Morant. The point guard twisted his ankle in the last preseason game and was therefore rested. Coby White also did not play for the hosts.
On home courts, the Chicago Bulls seemed to get off to the better start initially. Particularly in the second quarter, the team from the “Windy City” managed to build up a small lead. By half-time, they were +14 up. Zach LaVine played a major part in this. After a mediocre pre-season, the guard is currently in strong early form (28 points, 9/12 FG, 6/6 3PT).
The third quarter, on the other hand, belonged entirely to the guests from Memphis. The Grizzlies’ big men in particular made the difference. This year’s second-round pick Jaylen Wells led his team with 24 points (4/10 3PT) in the box score, while lottery pick Zach Edey added a further 15 points (5/10 FG). The decisive points for the win, however, were scored by Japanese rookie and crowd favorite Yuki Kawamura (2 points) from the foul line.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a real humiliation at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Unlike the visitors, however, the reigning champions almost played with their full playoff starting lineup. Luke Kornet only filled in at center for the injured Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
Sixers’ coach Doc Rivers, on the other hand, did without large parts of his regular lineup, including Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. The course of the game was correspondingly clear. After the first quarter, the Celtics were already +22 ahead. When the quartet of Tatum, Brown, White and Holiday were allowed to start again in the second half, it finally became really clear.
In the end, the team of Head Coach Joe Mazzulla also won their third preseason game and remain undefeated. Jaylen Brown (18 points, 7/12 F) led his team in the statistics. For Philadelphia, first-round pick Jared McCain put up a strong fight against defeat and scored a team-high 20 points (9/21 FG).
