In Detroit, los Pistons They gave an unusual collective lesson in today's league. The victory against Atlanta (142-115) did not have a single hero, but a refined chorus: seven players in double figures, twelve above seven points and an offensive balance that equals a historical NBA record, only seen before in the Bucks 2018-19 y los Spurs 2021-22. Isaiah Stewart led with 17 points, Cade Cunningham shared the game and JB Bickerstaff rotated without fear. Atlanta, despite Jalen Johnson's triple-double —already installed in figures reserved for monsters like Jokic, Wilt, Robertson or Westbrook—, fell apart after the break. The third quarter (35-19) was a ruling without appeal.
In San Francisco, Stephen Curry felt Curry again. 39 points after five games away, impossible triples, rhythm and electricity. But even that wasn't enough. Minnesota, without Anthony Edwards, won a beautiful fight (127-120) decided by a triple from Donte DiVincenzo missed 28 seconds. Gobert dominated the paint, Randle was consistent and the Wolves showed that their maturity no longer depends on a single star. The game, with 27 lead changes, was a roller coaster that recalled the recent playoff crossing… and it fell on Minnesota's side again.
In Dallas, the night confirmed that the new Davis-Flagg axis is starting to make sense. Anthony Davis appeared when it hurt the most, with 20 of his 24 points after the break, and Cooper Flagg responded as number one in the draft: 22 points, eight assists and personality. The Mavericks defeated the Nets (119-111) from the paint, even without pure centers, and are looking at the play-in in a transition course after the departure of Doncic. Brooklyn, Jordi Fernández's team, competed until the last stretch, supported by Michael Porter Jr. on a streak – 34 points – but came up dry in the decisive minutes.
The day closed in Philadelphia with a well-known and at the same time necessary image: Joel Embiid being Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP scored 39 points to knock down Indiana (115-105) and remembered how much the landscape changes when his knees respond. Without Maxey, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe accompanied, and the Sixers punished from the personnel line until the Pacers despaired. Indiana almost hit it, but chained errors and fouls when it mattered most.
