- Miami Heat 101 – 99 Philadelphie Sixers
After four consecutive defeats, the Heat returned to success by putting the way. At the end of a mini road trip that had been quite complicated until then, the men of Erik Spoelstra quickly took matters into their own hands to almost never let their opponent pass. Without excelling, the Heat manages its advance by intelligently betting on its various strengths to make the difference. Bam Adebayo, although clumsy, 4/14 on shots, and insecure in hand with 5 loose balls, still manages to bring his usual energy and 14 points when the team needs it most. Ms. observation for Tyler Herro, also very clumsy with only 3 shots returned for 13 attempts and a famlique 2/9 long distance. However, he scored a triple in the corner at the start of the last QT which gave his teammates some air to better understand the money time. Opposite, James Harden20 points and 12 assists and Tyrese Maxey23 points off the bench, have difficulty taking their teammates in the wake of a Joel Embiid a little less dashing than usual, 27 units, 12 rebounds but 6 stray bullets. In a tight encounter but mastered by the Florida franchise, the decision came down to Jimmy Butler, the tuning fork of the Heat. As Philly pushes and takes control with 1:30 remaining, Butler holds off three defenders and finishes a penetrating sequence that stuns the men of Doc Rivers. Short victory for Miami, the 33rd in 62 games. Philly is still “the best of the rest” in the East with a record of 39 wins and 21 losses but sees Cleveland staying the same number of wins for third place. The two teams will meet for the revenge on March 1, on the floor of the Heat.
- Boston Celtics 94 – 109 New York Knicks
Something is happening New York, episode 4374. After a big series of victories in December, place the beautiful idyll of February in the Big Apple. 6 straight wins, a 9-2 record for the month of February and the league leader’s scalp hanging on the roster with authority. That night, the Knicks pulled out the muscles to drastically limit the Celtics and even get thrown out Jayson Tatum. We understand very quickly that Boston will not come out with the game of the year, keeping all the same in mind their last meeting Philly, two days before. But Julius Randle and his band intend to be respected. The Knicks thus quickly have a mattress of ten points in advance, varying the fast game, the internal percussion and the long distance success. A success that completely flees the men of Joe Mazzulla, with an ugly 9/42 three-pointer. 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Randle, 23 points and no lost ball for Immanuel Quickley17 units for Jalen Brunson who, despite his 33% success rate, weighed heavily on Boston’s defense. The Celtics have never been able to get closer to the Knicks. A frustration that Tatum, 14 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists, expressed in the wrong way by changing sweet words with the referee, sending the MVP candidate back to the locker room to the delight of Madison Square Garden. A clear victory for the Knicks before facing Brooklyn, Miami and finding Boston to continue their good series which places them today in fifth place in the East.
– Orlando Magic 101 – 93 New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels lose feathers in the fight for the play-in the West. In the absence of Zion Williamsonstill hurt, Brandon Ingram loses his duel Paolo Banchero in an intense end-to-end encounter. 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the Pelican, 29 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists for the Magic player. Orlando is 13th in the East and has a tiny hope of grabbing the last wagon of the play-in. New Orleans is in this last car but without any margin on Portland just behind.
Detroit Pistons 106 – 117 Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat 101 – 99 Philadelphie Sixers
Boston Celtics 94 – 109 New York Knicks
Orlando Magic 101 – 93 New Orleans Pelicans
