The Orlando Magic, with eight consecutive wins, claimed this Wednesday as the fittest team in the NBA at the moment, while the Denver Nuggets confirmed their recovery with their third straight win, with a new triple-double by Nikola Jokic and with the return of Jamal Murray after 11 games away.
Consolidated as one of the revelations of the season, the Magic subdued a very poor Washington Wizards with only one win in the last 11 games. Orlando took the roller with 60.7% in field goals (51 of 84) and 63% in triples (17 of 27).
Franz Wagner (31 points and 6 rebounds) took the reins of the Florida team while Kyle Kuzma (23 points and 6 assists) was the most productive for Washington.
Jokic added his seventh triple-double of this season with 32 points (a huge 12 of 19 shooting), 10 rebounds and 15 assists, Michael Porter Jr. also shone in Denver with 30 points and 10 rebounds including 7 of 12 in triples and Murray contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in his return.
Jalen Green (26 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists) was the best for the Rockets in their visit to the current NBA champions.
Despite the return of Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns, who had won seven in a row, fell in Toronto against the Raptors led by Scottie Barnes (23 points and 7 rebounds) and Pascal Siakam (22 points and 9 rebounds).
Durant scored 30 points and Devin Booker, who caused a scare with ankle discomfort, was limited to just 8 points (2 of 12 shooting).
The worst streak in franchise history. This is how far these ruinous Detroit Pistons have fallen, breaking a negative team record by losing 15 games in a row after succumbing to the Los Angeles Lakers.
D'Angelo Russell gave an exhibition in Detroit for the Angelenos with 35 points and a fabulous 13 of 17 in field goals, including 5 of 7 in triples.
In addition to Murray on the Nuggets, the other notable return of the day after several weeks away from the courts was that of CJ McCollum, who had not played since November 4 due to a small pneumothorax and who this Wednesday scored 20 points for the Pelicans.
New Orleans was guided by an excellent Zion Williamson with 33 points (an enormous 11 of 12 field goals), 8 rebounds and 6 assists against the Sixers without Joel Embiid due to illness and led by Tyrese Maxey with 33 points.
