Usman Garuba takes the frustrated Spanish duel against Willy Hernangómez
MADRID, 18 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio celebrated a resounding victory this morning with the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Washington Wizards (117-94), in an NBA day in which the Houston Rockets of Usman Garuba took the duel against the New Orleans Pelicans of the absent Willy Hernangómez ( 114-112) and in which Santi Aldama’s Memphis Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs in overtime (120-126).
With their third win in the last four games, the ‘Cavs’, led by Darius Garland (24 points and 9 assists) and with the presence of Ricky Rubio, settle in fourth place (45-28) in the Eastern Conference. The point guard from El Masnou scored eight points -3 of 4 shots from the field and 2 of 3 from the personal line-, collected three rebounds and offered five assists in his 21 minutes of participation.
Also celebrating the victory, in overtime, were the Grizzlies, who came back from a 29-point deficit in the third quarter against the bottom Spurs to confirm their third place in the Western Conference (42-27).
Jaren Jackson’s 28 points, Desmond Bane’s 21 and Tyus Jones’ triple-double (20+10+10) were decisive for those from Tennessee, who also had the participation of Santi Aldama; the Canarian power forward contributed three points, five rebounds and a block in 17 minutes.
Meanwhile, at the Toyota Center in Houston, a triple by Jabari Smith at the last second allowed the Rockets to add their third consecutive victory to flee from the bottom position, now from the San Antonio Spurs with the same mark (18-52). The Pelicans (33-37), for their part, find it increasingly difficult to reach the playoffs.
Once again, Willie Green’s technical decision not to offer minutes to Willy Hernangómez frustrated the Spanish duel on the track. The Castilian-La Mancha Usman Garuba had seven minutes on the court, in which he grabbed four rebounds and recovered a ball.
–STATS OF SPANISH PLAYERS.
RICKY RUBIO: 8 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
SANTI ALDAMA: 3 points, 5 rebounds and 1 block.
USMAN GARUBA: 4 rebounds and 1 steal.
WILLY HERNANGÓMEZ: He didn’t play.