The Celtics still hot, the Rockets on their way
The Boston Celtics, who are at the top of the Eastern Conference, won a ninth success in a row, against the Chicago Bulls (124-113) last night in the NBA, the Houston Rockets doing almost as well in the West with a eighth victory in a row, against Utah (147-119).
Seven out of eight three points for C’S winger Sam Hauser, who finished with 23 points, level with Al Horford and just behind Jayson Tatum (26 pts).
The latter had been left to rest during Boston’s last success in Detroit, and this time the little green men allowed themselves to keep Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis in the locker room.
Despite DeMar DeRozan’s 28 points, and without merit, the Bulls bit the dust against a Boston team which is flying through the regular season with this 57th victory in 80 matches. Coach Joe Mazzulla also saw it as a good rehearsal for the play-offs. “It’s a great test to play teams like Chicago, given their ability to cause turnovers, to succeed in offensive rebounds, shots… They titillate you with the details.”
The Celtics are now 11.5 wins ahead of their runner-up, Milwaukee, who play a shock next night against the Oklahoma Thunder, the leader of the Western Conference.
Houston’s situation is less envious, since the Texan franchise is in 11th place in the West. But the Rockets are on fire, with an eighth victory in a row, last night against the Jazz, who took 147 points on the lead, including 41 units by Jalen Green.
Thanks to this series, the longest since 2019, Houston is back in balance (35-35) and is fully positioned in the race for the play-ins, behind 10th Golden State (36-33).
The Suns keep their place in the sun
Winner of the Spurs 131 to 106, Phoenix (42 v., 29 l.) for its part did the job in the race for the play-offs by preserving its sixth place, ahead of Sacramento (41-29), which narrowly won in Orlando 109-107.
In San Antonio, the Suns were able to count on Devin Booker (32 points) but also Kevin Durant (25 pts) and Bradley Beal, author of a double-double (13 pts and 12 assists).
Frenchman Victor Wembanyama was rather discreet during this 56th defeat for Spurs, with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 21 minutes.
2024-03-24 21:54:58
#Celtics #hot #Rockets
