The NBA Eastern Conference is red hot, both in the fight for the lead and in the area of direct access to the playoffs. The triumph of Milwaukee Bucks pressed a little more the race for number one with the Miami Heat and that of the Toronto Raptors in the direct clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he left both teams tied in their fight for sixth place in the table.
The Bucks moved within a win of the leaders Heat, with the Philadelphia 76ers on the prowl and just one win away from tying them.
In addition, the victory of the Raptors against the Cavaliers and the defeat of the Chicago Bulls in the field of the New Orleans Pelicans narrowed the balance in the fight for direct places in the playoffs.
There is only one game difference between the Bulls (42-31) and the Cavaliers and Raptors (41-32). Between the three, the two direct places towards the postseason will be played, with the third falling to the access tournament play-in.
Milwaukee Bucks 114-102 Washington Wizards
With the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middletonthe Bucks triumphed over the Wizards with a Jrue Holiday who led, with 24 points, a group of seven players in double figures.
The Spanish Serge Ibaka scored 11 points and contributed with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal to a victory that relaunches the Bucks in the fight for first place thanks also to the two consecutive losses suffered by the Heat.
Toronto Raptors 117-104 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Toronto Raptors sealed a momentous victory to reopen the fight for the direct ticket to the playoffs by winning 117-104, and they are now tied with 41 wins and 32 losses.
Pascal Siakam was the leader of the Raptors, with his 35 points and six triples, together with 6 rebounds and 5 assists that were decisive to reopen the contest to avoid the play-in.
New Orleans Pelicans 126-109 Chicago Bulls
The victory of the Raptors increased the problems of the Bulls, who after savoring the leadership of the East in Februaryare now involved in the fight to be directly in the playoffs.
Billie Donovan’s team, which could not count on DeMar DeRozanstamp 39 points with Zach LaVinebut surrendered on the field of the New Orleans Pelicans against the 30 points from Davonte’ Graham and 25 from CJ McCollum.
The Pelicans, who are still without Zion Williamson, caught up with the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in and they would be measured precisely with LeBron’s team in search of a ticket to the playoffs.
Willy Hernangómez played his 300th match last night in the NBA and had 6 points and 2 rebounds in 13 minutes of play.
The game of the day
Memphis Grizzlies 133-103 Indiana Pacers
the grizzlies they know how to survive without Ja Morant. The Memphis team overwhelmed the Pacers with a monumental Desmond Bane, who scored 30 points with twelve of fifteen shots and five triples, and sealed his mathematical classification for the playoffs.
Morant’s absence did not prevent the Grizzlies from continuing to gain confidence and the Tennessee team won 16 of their 18 games played without their star on the court.
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Eastern Conference:
.1. Miami Heat (47-26)
.2. Milwaukee Bucks (46-27)
.3. Philadelphia 76ers (45-27)
.4. Boston Celtics (46-28)
.5. Chicago Bulls (42-31)
.6. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-32)
.7. Toronto Raptors (41-32)
.8. Brooklyn Nets (38-35)
.9. Charlotte Hornets (37-36)
10. Atlanta Hawks (36-27)
11. New York Knicks (31-42)
12. Washington Wizards (30-42)
13. Indiana Pacers (25-49)
14. Detroit Pistons (20-53)
15. Orlando Magic (20-54)
Western Conference:
.1. Phoenix Suns (60-14)
.2. Memphis Grizzlies (51-23)
.3. Golden State Warriors (48-25)
.4. Utah Jazz (45-28)
.5. Dallas Mavericks (45-28)
.6. Denver Nuggets (43-31)
.7. Minnesota Timberwolves (42-32)
.8. Los Angeles Clippers (36-38)
.9. New Orleans Pelicans (31-42)
10. Los Angeles Lakers (31-42)
11. San Antonio Spurs (29-44)
12. Portland Trail Blazers (27-45)
13. Sacramento Kings (26-48)
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (21-52)
15. Houston Rockets (18-55).
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