(ANSA) – LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 15 – Thanks to Jrue Holiday’s 40 points, Milwaukee defeated Boston (131-125) after overtime, but without its stars. This 11th straight win was a tough one for the Bucks to come up against, against a Celtics with no starting four (Jayson Tatum injured, Al Horford rested, Jaylen Brown broken face, and Marcus Smart, knee). In a game where the lead changed 19 times, where the score was tied 11 times, it was Holiday who was Milwaukee’s hero. The defender made 8/12 three-pointers, including a shot from midfield at the buzzer in the third quarter and one in the final 25 seconds of overtime.
Giannis Antetokounmpo still closed almost a triple double (36 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists). He struggled against the tenacious Celtics defense (12/26 in the second half), accusing 8 turnovers, and got a scare in his right knee, on a reception that was a little too brutal. If there’s one lesson to be learned from the Celtics’ outstanding performance, it’s that their self-sacrifice has in no way been undermined by the absence of their starters. Indeed, there was a desire on the part of the substitutes to show coach Joe Mazzula that he could count on them. So around the excellent Derrick White (27 points, 12 assists) and the precious sixth man Malcolm Brogdon (26 points), Mike Muscala (18 points), Sam Hauser (15 points) stood out who snatched extra time with a basket behind the arc with three seconds left, and veteran Blake Griffin (15 points).
However, the Celtics remain at the top of the conference (41 wins-17 losses), a breath ahead of the Bucks (40-17). Lower in the standings, Toronto (9/a) beat (123-113) Orlando (13/ma, 13 points from Banchero) thanks to a very good performance by its rookie Jakob Poeltl (30 points, 15/17 shooting, 9 rebounds).
In the West, Phoenix got the better of Sacramento (120-109), relying on Devin Booker (32 points) and Chris Paul (17 points, 19 assists). The Suns (fourth) are slowly but surely closing in on the Kings (third). The Clippers rise to fifth place, thanks to the success against Golden State (134-124). (HANDLE).
REPRODUCTION RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
