Led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks became the first team to reach the playoffs in the North American basketball professional league NBA. The Greek contributed 36 points and 11 rebounds in the 116-104 win at the Phoenix Suns, the 50th win of the season for the two-time MVP and his team. Milwaukee confidently leads the table in the East.
Meanwhile, national team captain Dennis Schröder scored an important home win with the Los Angeles Lakers in the tight battle for the play-offs.
Even without LeBron James, the record champions won 123:108 at direct competitor New Orleans Pelicans, Schröder only got three points. In the West, the Lakers claimed ninth place, which entitles them to participate in the play-in tournament.
However, the chances of the Orlando Magic getting into the play-in tournament continue to decrease. The brothers Franz (eleven points) and Moritz Wagner (twelve) showed a solid performance, but could not prevent the clear 114:132 defeat at the San Antonio Spurs. With their fourth bankruptcy in the past five games, Orlando remains in the table basement of the Eastern Conference.
