MADRID, 13 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The New Orleans Pelicans of a Willy Hernangómez without minutes fell (118-123) before the Oklahoma City Thunder in the ‘play-in’ of the NBA, without therefore the opportunity to fight to enter the ‘Playoffs’, while the Chicago Bulls will dispute the last place for the crosses for the title after beating (105-109) the Toronto Raptors.
As usual, Willy Hernangómez did not have opportunities in the crucial duel for his franchise to cling to the dream of the ‘Playoffs’, putting an end to his season. The Spaniard, MVP of the last Eurobasket, says goodbye to the course having played just 38 games, in which he has averaged 6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 12.1 minutes on the court.
The ‘executioner’ of the Pelicans were the Thunder who were tenth in the West and already left the promising Mavericks without options to fight for the title. Now, with the extraordinary performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32 points) and Josh Giddey (31 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists), who were key in the final minutes, they add a vital victory to prolong their options. They will play their place in the ‘Playoffs’, where the Denver Nuggets are already waiting, against the Timberwolves.
On the other hand, this morning the Bulls also advanced in their desire to cross the ring. The Chicago franchise finally came back from a play-in game in Toronto that was down by 19 at the start of the third quarter. It was his only win this season at Scotiabank Arena, just at the most necessary moment.
Led by a great Zach LaVine (39 points) and the ‘double-double’ of Nikola Vucevic (14 points and 13 rebounds), the Bulls took advantage of the Raptors’ chain of errors in the final quarter, when they added up to six turnovers in just three minutes.
The Chicago guard was very inspired in the second half and the final rulings of Pascal Siakam, Toronto’s top scorer, finished condemning the locals. Those from Illinois will play the last place in the ‘Playoffs’ in the East against the Miami Heat.
