By offering their 42nd victory this season (which includes 82 games), the 10th in twelve games, the Sacramento Kings have not only consolidated their 2nd place in the Western Conference, but they are also guaranteed to finish the regular season with more more victories than defeats. This had not happened to them since the 2005-2006 season, which corresponds to their last appearance in the play-offs.
Domantas Sabonis released a big game with 24 points, 21 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks to afford his 56th double-double of the season, the best total in the league. Sacramento also signs its 21st road victory, the most important total of the franchise since 2003-2004.
For their part, the Nets retain 6th place in the Eastern Conference (39-31) ahead of the Miami Heat (7th, 38-33) and the Atlanta Hawks (8th, 34-35).
Phoenix-Orlando : 116-113
The Suns were hot. Facing the Orlando Magic, the 4th in the Western Conference were scared when Paolo Banchero, the Orlando winger, attempted a 3-point shot to equalize 3 seconds from the end … countered by Josh Okogie to ensure the victory of his people (116-113). A crucial and impressive gesture on the part of the latter, yet much smaller (1.91m against the 2.08m of Banchero) than his vis-à-vis.
Phoenix was still evolving without its star Kevin Durant who sprained his left ankle on March 8th. The Arizona club is 4th in the West, while Orlando is 13th.
Toronto-Oklahoma : 128-111
Sixth victory in a row for the Raptors, after their great success (128-111) over the OKC Thunder. Led by a very good Pascal Siakam (25 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists), Nick Nurse’s players can still believe in the play-offs, by equaling the number of victories (34) of 8th in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta who has certainly played one game less. The Hawks will host the Golden State Warriors next night.
6
This is the sixth straight win for Toronto on home soil. The Raptors have not lost at home for a month and their defeat (116-122) against Utah on February 11.
OKC resisted (93-87 at the start of the last quarter) with in particular a good performance from its leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 points, 9/10 in shooting at half-time, 29 points in total). But the Raptors accelerated at the start of the last quarter with two shots from behind the arc which pushed the visitors back to twelve lengths (103-91). The hole was definitely made.
Oklahoma remains 10th in the Western Conference standings. The battle will be fierce to reach the play-offs between Minnesota (7th, 35-35), Dallas (8th, 35-35), Los Angeles Lakers (9th, 34-36), Oklahoma City (10th, 34-36), Utah (11th, 33-36) and New Orleans (12th, 33-36).
