LeBron James narrowly won with the Lakers in Cleveland (109-105) Wednesday for his first game against his former team since his departure last summer for California. For their part, the Houston Rockets have forgotten their disastrous start to the season: they scored a fifth victory against Detroit (126-124) with 43 points James Harden.

Contrary to what happened in 2010 for his return to Cleveland after his first start in Miami where he was conspired, heckled and qualified traitor, "King James" was this time warmly applauded by the supporters of Cavaliers . A tribute video was even made early in the game, presenting his best actions and especially his against became legendary in the 2016 final against Golden State that had offered the Cavaliers the first NBA title in their history.

On the field, the Cavaliers, in full rebuilding with the dismissal of their trainer Tyronn Lue, have however made no gift to their former superstar.

Cleveland, the last of the East conference with only two wins in fifteen games before the clash, still led nine points to seven minutes from the end of regulation time (96-87). This is the moment that James who scored 51 points for his return to Miami (113-97) Sunday, chose to remember the remembrance of the Cavaliers.

He scored eleven of his 32 points in the last six minutes, synonymous with 10th win and 7th place for the West Conference Lakers (10 -7 d).

Houston goes on

For the first time this season, the Rockets entered the top-8 Western conference, synonymous with qualification for the play-offs (8th, 9v-7d). They had started the season with five defeats in six games, an unworthy record of a title contender, barely eliminated last season in the Western Conference final (4-3) by Golden State.

For two weeks, the Texas franchise has regained its dominant style of 2017-18, like Harden. The MVP (best NBA player) in title just played three matches at 27, 34 and 43 points, his record of the season. Against the Pistons in a very physical match, he also distilled nine assists and took seven rebounds.

Teammate Clint Capela finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Blake Griffin scored 37 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit (5th, 8-under 7).

The awakening of the Knicks

The New York Knicks resumed Wednesday with the win after six defeats in a row by winning 117 to 109 on the floor of the Boston Celtics. The Knicks, though lacking in confidence, have always been in the lead and were already eight points ahead of the first period. To the anger of their fans who have conspired, the Celtics have joined the locker room after the 2nd quarter with 16 points behind (65-49).

In the wake of Kyrie Irving (22 pts), Boston rebelled to return four points (110-106) to one minute of the end of regulation time. But a three-point basket from Trey Burke at twelve seconds from the mermaid got the Celtics right.

It's turkey time @ TreyBurke: 29p | 11ast | 6r @ T_HardJR: 21p | 4r @ NoahVonleh: 16p | 10r pic.twitter.com/8RXdCpu3wq

- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 22, 2018

Boston failed to slow Tim Hardaway junior (21 pts) and especially Burke, top scorer of the game coming out of the bench with 29 points in 32 minutes.

French leader Frank Ntilikina, still a substitute, scored six points in 27 minutes of play. The Knicks are now 12th in the Eastern Conference after their fourth win of the season, while Boston, who has lost four of their last six games, has downgraded to 7th place (9 v-8 d).

All the results of the night

Charlotte - Indiana: 127-109

Philadelphia - New Orleans: 121-120

Atlanta - Toronto : 108-124

Boston - New York : 109-117

Chicago - Phoenix: 124-116

Cleveland - Los Angels Lakers : 105-109

Houston - Detroit: 126-124

Milwaukee - Portland: 143-100

Minnesota - Denver : 101-103

Dallas - Brooklyn: 119-113

San Antonio - Memphis : 103-104

Utah - Sacramento : 110-119

Golden State - Oklahoma : 95-123