Little but strong. Author of another impressive performance on Sunday at Madison Square Garden (40 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), New York leader Jalen Brunson (1.91 m) led his team to victory after overtime against Chicago (120-119).
This victory propels the Knicks to second place in the standings in the East, since Milwaukee was crushed at the same time on the Orlando floor (113-88), carried by Paolo Banchero (26 points) and Franz Wagner (25 ).
Guaranteed to finish first (record of 63 wins, 18 losses before the match), Boston had decided to rest its starters against Washington (14th). Without them, leader Payton Pritchard finished as the match’s top scorer (38 points) and carried the Celtics to victory (132-122).
Philadelphia will have to battle against Miami in the play-in
The success of the evening goes to Indiana who beat Atlanta at home (157-115). A decisive victory since the Pacers pocketed sixth place in the standings, directly qualifying for the play-offs.
A position once coveted by Philadelphia, also a winner at home against Brooklyn on Sunday (107-86), but which ultimately finished in seventh place. The Sixers will have to win against Miami (8th) on April 17 in the play-in to hope to advance in the play-offs.
Orphaned by Giannis Antetokounmpo, injured and uncertain for the future, the Bucks finished third and will meet the Pacers in the first round of the final phase. Cleveland (4th) will face Orlando (5th), while Boston (1st) will have to wait before knowing its opponent, since 8th place will be played between the winner of the play-in match between Chicago and Atlanta, and the loser of the match between Philadelphia and Miami.
