Houston, more shooter than ever and defending as it should more often, brought down Milwaukee (120-116), Sunday in the NBA, which also saw Boston also have the last word, despite a spectacular comeback from Portland.
The Rockets are bombing
Live or die with its principles: it is a bit the leitmotif of the team coached by Mike D’Antoni, eternal supporter of a “run and gun“uninhibited (express attacks, frenzied shoots). The 61 three-point attempts (21 successful) – NBA record on a match without overtime tied -, are the proof.
If Russell Westbrook was the attacking leader (31 pts, 8 assists, 6 rebounds), James Harden showed him the example in defense, by succeeding 6 interceptions out of the 15 of Houston (24 pts, 7 assists, 7 rebounds ). This constant deterrence got the better of the Bucks (leaders in the East), not used to dealing with it, which should however be repeated during the play-offs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo however managed a performance worthy of his status as MVP (36 pts, 18 rebounds, 8 assists), but he lacked lucidity a few seconds from the end, his pass to Kyle Korver having just been snatched.
Khris Middleton (27 pts, 12 rebounds) and Brook Lopez (23 pts, 12 rebounds) were also present, but it is with energy that Houston has imposed itself. Here it is 4th in the West, with Utah.
Boston got hot
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The half-dumbfounded, half-furious look of Damian Lillard spoke volumes about the frustration of the Blazers, after this shift to quarterback mode totally missed by his teammate Jusuf Nurkic, of which he was the recipient. At 3 seconds from time, she returned the ball to the C’s very happy to ensure a success (128-124) much closer than they had imagined.
Because they were ultra-dominating in the first period, in the wake of Jayson Tatum (34 pts, 8 assists) and Jaylen Brown (30 pts), with up to 24 points in advance, finally erased by Portland who was offered a hot end to the game, thanks in particular to Gary Trent Jr (7/11 three points).
Lillard (30 pts, 16 assists), specialist in buzzer shots, will therefore not have had the opportunity to repeat this kind of feat, badly served by Nurkic who however also released a big match (30 pts, 9 rbds, 5 passes).
Boston consolidates its 3rd place in the East. Portland, on the other hand, fell back to 10th place in the West, outside the dam zone, even if it was far from over.
Meanwhile, Spurs …
It’s called a double count victory: by beating 8th, Memphis (108-106), San Antonio not only grabbed 9th place but also approached its victim of the day.
Rather discreet until then, DeMar DeRozan (14 pts, 7 assists) scored the decisive free throws for Spurs who trembled until the end, especially against rookie Ja Morant (25 pts, 9 rebounds, 9 assists).
Twelfth before the resumption of the season, we gave little chance to SA to hang the play-offs for the 23rd consecutive year. There is still a long way to go, but with this second success in two matches, the Texans now find themselves virtually in play-offs (4 or less wins must separate the 9th from the 8th for them to take place).
Beaten for the second time in a row, the Grizzlies are doomed to finish 8th at best in the West, Dallas being certain to finish at worst 7th.
A first participation in three years in the play-offs, celebrated by … a defeat against Phoenix (117-115), after having led almost all along and despite the 40 points of Luka Doncic (11 assists, 8 rebounds).
The Wizards are getting closer to the exit
The prospect of a dam is strongly reduced in the East, with the victory of the 8th Brooklyn against the 9th Washington (118-110). For it to take place, four or fewer wins must separate them. However, we are at 7. There are six matches to play for each, as much to say that the Wizards will hardly have any more right to the error in hoping that the Nets, them, make some.
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