Disturbing, often off topic since the season resumed in Orlando, the Memphis Grizzlies scored the most important victory of their end of the regular season on Thursday. A success against the Milwaukee Bucks (119-106), orphans of Giannis Antetokounmpo (suspended), synonymous with guaranteed qualification for the preliminary round for the play-offs on the side of the Western Conference (also called “play-in”). First in the East, the Bucks held a half against an opponent on mission (60-50, 24th), before letting go as soon as the locker room returned.
On the side of Memphis, the pivot Jonas Valanciunas, author of a big triple-double (26 points, 19 rebounds, 12 assists), Ja Morant, also author of a triple-double (12 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) ) and Dillon Brooks (31 points) were the strong men of the game. Opposite, Brook Lopez (19 points, 9 rebounds), Frank Mason (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Donte DiVincenzo (17 points) weighed in vain for Milwaukee, long assured to end the regular season with the best record of the NBA (56 wins).
San Antonio released, a rarity
This result, combined with the victory of Phoenix (see below), validated the elimination of the San Antonio Spurs from the race for the play-offs, even before their duel against the Utah Jazz. A rare event since we have to go back to the 1996-1997 season, when Gregg Popovich had barely come to power (he had taken control of the bench during the season, editor’s note), to see the Texan franchise fail to qualify for the final phase.
When entering this decisive day, the Spurs were the least well placed to qualify for the “play-in” since they needed at least two defeats at three of their direct competitors in order to compile their ticket.
Phoenix wins and must pray
The Phoenix Suns took about as long to take cover against the Dallas Mavericks (win 128-102). The Texans, who also had nothing more to play on this last day, played without Kristaps Porzingis, who remained in care. Above all, Devin Booker (27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) released a new reference match, well helped by his teammates.
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Six Phoenix Suns players scored 11 or more points in the game.
Phoenix, who has not lost a single game in the bubble (8 wins), still has a small chance of snatching his ticket for the “play-in” and will therefore look to the match between the Portland Trail. Blazers and the Brooklyn Nets. A defeat of Damian Lillard’s team would upset the ranking in the West. On the other hand, the Blazers have the advantage of facing a team that has already qualified and whose result this Thursday evening will have no effect on its final ranking (7th in the East).
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