After five wins in a row, the Orlando Magic had to accept another defeat, also because a buzzer beater ended up on the board. The Portland Trail Blazers are no longer in the fight for the playoffs, but they chose a special lineup against champions Denver. The NBA on Sunday morning.
Franz Wagner’s (r.) 18 points were not enough for his Magic to win again. Getty Images
After five wins in a row, the Orlando Magic’s streak was broken. The team of basketball world champions Franz and Moritz Wagner lost 107:109 to the Sacramento Kings (41-29). In a game that fluctuated back and forth, the guests finally pulled away with two converted free throws from top scorer De’Aaron Fox (31 points) and the decisive one from Keon Ellis. Paolo Banchero’s (22 points) buzzer-beater attempt ended on the board.
The Magic, for whom Franz Wagner had 18 points and four assists and brother Moritz contributed four points and five rebounds, are clearly on course for the playoffs in the West with a record of 42-29.
Celtics confident – Wizards win again
At the top of the West are the Boston Celtics (57-14), who did not lose their way against the Chicago Bulls with 124:113. The Bulls (34-37) are not in great danger of falling out of the play-in tournament places because the eleventh place, the Brooklyn Nets (26-45) around Dennis Schröder, lost once again to the New York Knicks.
The Atlanta Hawks (31-39) consolidated tenth place with a clear blowout home win (132:91) against the Charlotte Hornets (17-53). At halftime it was still 39:39, then the Hawks, for whom Dejounte Murray put up 29 points, twelve assists and seven rebounds, pulled away.
The Washington Wizards celebrated a respectable success at the end of the table, winning their 13th win of the season against the Toronto Raptors. After their second win in a row, they are no longer last in the Western Conference.
Rockets put pressure on Warriors
In the East, the Golden State Warriors – currently in tenth place at 36-33 – are under pressure from the Houston Rockets, who evened their record to 35-35 with a 147-119 win against the Utah Jazz. Jalen Green excelled with 41 points.
The Phoenix Suns are fighting with the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings, among others, for sixth place and thus a direct playoff spot. Devin Booker led the way with 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the 131-106 away win at the San Antonio Spurs, while Kevin Durant added 25 points. This puts the Suns (42-29) ahead again. For the Texans (15-56), rookie Victor Wembanyama (13 points) had a rather weak day.
Five rookies in Portland’s starting lineup
The Portland Trail Blazers chose a special formation against champions Denver Nuggets. The injury-plagued Trail Blazers, who can no longer qualify for the playoffs, started the game with a narrow 111:114 with five professionals in their first NBA year. According to the NBA, this was only the second time the league has tracked starting lineups since the 1971-72 season.
The reigning champions, who are still without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, won their 50th game this season.
2024-03-24 18:50:06
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