NBA | The Boston Celtics qualified for the play-offs … but overtaken by the Sixers, winners of Indiana

A defeat but a ticket. Defeated (118-117) at the Utah Jazz, the Boston Celtics won their qualification for the NBA play-offs on Saturday due to Miami’s loss to Chicago (113-99). The Celtics, however, led by 19 points in the second quarter. If Jaylen Brown was present with 25 points, Jayson Tatum only scored 15 points in 39 minutes. On the Jazz side, Talen Horton-Tucker confirmed his very good form at the moment with 19 points and seven rebounds. But it was his teammate Lauri Markkanen who dominated the proceedings with 28 points and ten rebounds.

Now second in the East ahead of the Celtics, the Philadelphia Sixers, who have two games less, nevertheless still need a victory to clinch the precious sesame, after having obtained an eighth consecutive victory by winning (141- 121) against the Indiana Pacers. Sixers star Joel Embiid responded with 31 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. His partner Tyrese Maxey also scored 31 points.

Imperfect Jokic

So it was Miami’s loss to the Bulls that got the Boston Celtics through to the playoffs before they even stepped on the field in Salt Lake City. DeMar DeRozan (24 pts, ten assists) was decisive for Chicago, well supported it is true by Coby White (18 pts), Zach LaVine (18 pts) and Patrick Beverley (17 pts). On the Heat side, the contribution of Jimmy Butler (24 pts) and Bam Adebayo (23 pts) was not enough.

Author of 24 points, Jalen Brunson, back from injury, led the New York Knicks to a victory (116-110) against Denver, leader of the Western Conference, which lost for the fifth time in six games. A foot injury had limited the point guard to just one appearance in the Knicks’ last six games. “I was a little worried before the game, but everything went as planned. I didn’t feel a thing, so I kept playing“, explained Brunson. Opposite, the Serbian Nikola Jokic, double MVP of the regular season, finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but he also made an unusual number of errors.

Markelle Fultz scored a career-high 28 points and Wendell Carter Jr. added 27 points and 12 rebounds in the Orlando Magic’s 113-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, deprived of Kawhi Leonard, hurt. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley was full of praise for Fultz, who overcame serious injuries during his career. “I’m so proud of this young man, just for the fact of everything he’s constantly been through“, did he declare.

Morant back soon

“You can ignore the numbers, the way he plays, the passion he has for his teammates. Whatever it takes to win, he’s going to try and do it and I think that’s what’s so special about him and how his teammates feel about him.“, Mosley pointed out of the 24-year-old point guard. Paul George scored 30 points for the Clippers, who remained on four straight wins.

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors (133-119) at home, beaten for the 11th time in a row outside. Jaren Jackson Jr scored 31 points and Desmond Bane 26 points for Memphis in that home game against the defending champions which was the last of Ja Morant’s suspension, after the video affair showing him brandishing a gun in a strip club.

Without its star, Memphis has signed its fourth victory in the last five matches. Morant is available to face Dallas on Monday, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Wednesday’s game against the Rockets is a more realistic return date. “Chances are he will be out for Monday’s game as it will be his first day back with the team“, he asserted.