NBA – Brooklyn and Orlando, as expected, qualified in the East for the 1st round of the NBA play-offs, on the night from Friday to Saturday, in the Disney World bubble, where Boston took care to correct Toronto in a duel certainly devoid of stake (122-100).
Brooklyn and Orlando are in
The Nets secured their second straight participation for the finals, after defeating Sacramento (119-106). Objective achieved for this team which must nevertheless do without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, as well as DeAndre Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie. Against the Kings, they could count on Caris LeVert (22 pts, 7 assists, 5 rebounds). Thimoté Luwawu-Cabarrot added 10 points and 6 rebounds off the bench.
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With this success, Brooklyn consolidates its 7th place all the better as Orlando (8th) was beaten by Philadelphia (108-101). A defeat which, however, did not prevent the Florida team from ensuring its presence in the play-offs for the second year in a row, Washington having lost in stride against New Orleans (118-107). The Magic, for whom Evan Fournier scored 22 points, now have three games to overtake Brooklyn and thus give themselves the right to face the defending champion Toronto in the first round rather than Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A prospect that does not immediately concern the Sixers (6th), carried by Joel Embiid, author of 12 points (out of his 23 in total, 13 rebounds) during the third quarter, to allow his team not to be let down , before making the difference in the money-time. “I loved that he made his physique speak. The team needs it and feeds on it“, appreciated his trainer Brett Brown, who has to do without Ben Simmons for an indefinite period (knee).
Boston wanted, not Toronto
It’s not yet time for the conference semifinals, but since the two teams may well have to meet at this point in September, the Celtics made sure to send a message to the Raptors (122-100 ). Even if no stake therefore surrounded this match, Boston (3rd) put the ingredients as in the play-offs to inflict its first defeat on the defending champion at Disney World, like Jaylen Brown (20 pts, 6 rebounds ) very active.
“Here we are. I don’t wanna say where our cap is, but we get better every day and we don’t want to stop“, warned Jayson Tatum (18 pts, 7 rebounds).
As such, there is no doubt that Toronto (2nd) will show a different face than that of Friday, showing a big clumsiness at long distance (10/38), an area where he usually does not abuse attempts. Proof that the team did not want to fight too much inside.
Memphis holds on to its 8th place
The Grizzlies ended a series of four losses in the Disney World bubble, winning at the expense of Oklahoma City (121-92).
An important victory which allows them to maintain a small lead over Portland, virtually their opponent in the barrage. However, in the event of a duel, the 8th will only need one victory to validate its ticket for the 1st round of the play-offs, while the 9th will have to win twice.
Dillon Brooks (22 pts) was the most prolific side Memphis, well helped by the Lithuanian pivot Jonas Valanciunas (19 pts, 11 rebounds) and the rookie Ja Morant (19 pts, 9 assists).
Spurs hang on
Winner (119-111) of a Utah team deprived of its three major players, Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Rudy Gobert (spared) and Mike Conley (knee), San Antonio retains a slim hope of grabbing the synonymous 9th place dam.
Now two wins separate him from Portland, with three and four games each to play respectively, with the Blazers set to face the Clippers on Saturday.
Derrick White stood out with 24 points (6 rebounds, 4 assists), DeMar DeRozan, on his 31st birthday, celebrated by the virtual audience on a giant screen, remained discreet (13 pts, 5 assists).
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