The eight qualifiers of the Eastern conference are now known. After the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento winners a little earlier, the Orlando Magic also won its qualification on Friday, despite a loss against the Philadelphia Sixers (108-101). But the loss of the Washington Wizards against the New Orleans Pelicans (118-107) was favorable to them. Brooklyn and Orlando have joined Milwaukee, Toronto, Boston, Miami, Indiana and Philadelphia.
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The Magic and the 76ers were neck and neck for most of the game between them. Five minutes from the end, Philadelphia widened a gap (93-86) and managed to keep it until the buzzer. Four Sixers players scored over 20 points: Tobias Harris (23 points, 15 rebounds), Joel Embiid (23 pts, 13 rebounds), Alec Burks (22), Al Horford (21). On the Orlando side, Evan Fournier was his team’s leading scorer with 22 points.
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Holiday sends Washington on vacation
The New Orleans Pelicans have therefore ruined the dreams of the Washington Wizards play-offs. After a balanced first period (56-54 for the team from the US capital), the Pelicans came off the score at the end of the third quarter (91-81) and were not subsequently worried. Jrue Holiday (New Orleans) was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points. Zion Williamson did not play. Rui Hachimura was the most visible for Washington (23 pts). Ian Mahinmi was not on the scoresheet.
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In the last game of the evening, where there was no stake, the Boston Celtics dominated the Toronto Raptors (122-100), the outgoing champions. Boston took the lead very early (52-37 at the break) and even led by 33 points at the end of the third quarter (90-57), before seeing the Raptors react somewhat. With 20 points, Jaylen Brown was the Celtics’ leading scorer. Vincent Poirier had not been entered on the scoresheet.
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