Published
Despite a performance of choice, the Geneva pivot could not prevent the defeat of the Hawks on the floor of the Miami Heat (113-109).
Clint Capela scored a double double against Miami.
AFP
Atlanta failed to bring down the NBA Eastern Conference leader. The Hawks lost to the Miami Heat (113-109) overnight from Friday to Saturday. The Georgia State franchise was however able to count on its star Trae Young, author of 35 points and 8 assists, as well as on Clint Capela. The 27-year-old Genevan, present on the floor for 27 minutes, scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Despite this defeat, the Hawks (9th) remain perfectly in the nails to participate in the play-in.
In the other meetings of the night, Milwaukee put itself in a good position to validate its status as the No. 2 seed in the play-offs, thanks to its easy victory in Detroit on Friday in the NBA where Brooklyn rose to 7th place by beating Cleveland who occupied it. Three days before the end of the regular season, there are few matches left at stake, except to determine the seeds in the first six of each conference and the order of the play-off matches, for the teams ranked from 7th to 10th. ranks.
In the East, the Bucks have their destiny in hand to keep their 2nd place until the end. Winners with authority at the Pistons, (131-101), they will have to do the same on Sunday in Cleveland. Giannis Antetokounmpo was in his standards (30 pts, 13 rebounds, 8 assists), without forcing, in just 28 minutes on the floor, because the meeting was folded at the end of the first quarter, the defending champion already leading 30-8.
Almost guaranteed to finish 5th, without yet knowing if they will face Philadelphia (4th), Boston (3rd) or even in an improbable scenario Milwaukee, the Raptors fought to win their 14th success in 17 games, against Houston (117-115) after clearing a delay of 24 units. Pascal Siakam carried them again (29 pts, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 interceptions), well supported by Gary Trent Jr (26 pts), to respond to 35 points from Kevin Porter Jr (10 rebounds).
As for the play-offs, the Nets, winners of the Cavs (118-107) thanks to Kevin Durant (36 pts), came halfway to finish 7th. A place which guarantees them to play at home against the 8th in the first qualifying match next week, and, if necessary, during the second chance, against the winner of the match between the 9th and the 10th.
Phoenix renverse Utah
If they win against Indiana on Sunday, New Yorkers will retain their position, even if Cleveland (8th) beats Milwaukee. Because they won three of their four direct confrontations, the first criterion to decide between two teams with the same record. Their positions are all the less fixed, as Atlanta (9th) and Charlotte (10th) are only one victory away. The Hawks after their defeat at the leader Miami (113-109), the Hornets thanks to their success in Chicago (133-117).
In the West, Dallas (4th) crushed Portland (128-78). A third success in a row mainly due to Luka Doncic (39 pts, 11 rebounds), who suffered his 16th technical foul of the season. As a result, he will be automatically suspended on Sunday against San Antonio, which is always better than missing the first game of the first round of the play-offs.
Finally, Phoenix, the best team in the championship, won in Utah (111-105), after a fiery fourth quarter (36-13), during which they erased a delay which had peaked at 17 points. Devin Booker (33 pts) and Chris Paul (16 pts, 16 assists) guided the Suns to their 64th win of the season, further improving their franchise record. Opposite, Rudy Gobert did what he could (16 pts, 12 rebounds) to support Donovan Mitchell in difficulty (18 pts at 7/21 on shots). The Jazz will have to win Sunday in Portland to be sure to finish 5th, ahead of Denver (6th).
(AFP)
