- 'Double-double' by Serge Ibaka with 12 points and 10 rebounds
- Ricky Rubio could only contribute 5 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists
The memory in all the fields of the late Kobe Bryant has marked the saddest day of the season in the NBA, in which Toronto Raptors have imposed on San Antonio Spurs (106-110) and Phoenix Suns have fallen against Memphis Grizzlies ( 114-109).
Just a few hours after knowing the death of one of the best players in history, the NBA resumed its activity in several cities with a common denominator, the memory of Bryant with many visibly excited players and various gestures of remembrance.
One of them was that in all those fields the first two 24-second possessions were not played in memory of precisely the '24', one of the two numbers that the former Los Angeles Lakers player wore throughout his successful career. Players, coaches and fans standing applauded together to dismiss the great star of Philadelphia.
With the ball already in play, the Raptors reaffirmed their great moment of form and added their seventh consecutive victory with good performances by Marc Gasol (8 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) and Serge Ibaka (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 thefts).
A triple by Fred VanVleet and a theft of Kyle Lowry's ball at the last minute sealed the tight victory of the Canadian team in San Antonio, where Pascal Siakam (35), brand new starter in the next 'All Star', left another great performance against to a DeMar DeRozan (14) who could not shine before his former teammates.
On the other hand, Ricky Rubio added 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in the FedExForum, where the Suns fell in another very close final. Between 'rookie' Ja Morant (23), Dillon Brooks (20) and Jaren Jackson (20) allied to win the battle against Devin Booker (36) and Kelly Oubre (27).
– STATISTICS OF SPANISH PLAYERS.
MARC GASOL: 8 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists.
SERGE IBAKA: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
RICKY BLOND: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.