Philadelphia # 1 Quiet
Barring an accident, the Philadelphia Sixers have a very good chance of finishing the regular season in first place in the Eastern Conference, which would give them home ground advantage at least until the national final.
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The success – the 7th in a row – won Friday night at home against the New Orleans Pelicans (109-107), however, came to prove that there is still work for the Pennsylvania franchise, unable to ensure a large success after having counted until 17 points ahead. And yet, the “Pels” deplored four major absences: Zion Williamson, probably forfeit for the end of the season (finger), Brandon Ingram (ankle), Steven Adams (toe) and Josh Hart (thumb).
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7
The Philadelphia Sixers had not had a streak of seven wins since the 2017-2018 season, which ended with 16 consecutive wins.
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Despite everything, the visitors got back together thanks to a huge third quarter (37-18) before collapsing in the final act, weighed down by their three-point clumsiness (only 9/36, 25%). The 76ers, on the other hand, relied on their MVP candidate, pivot Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian interior has split 37 points (11 of 20 shooting), for 13 rebounds and 3 assists, confirming that he is one of the major players of this season.
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For his coach Doc Rivers, the equation even seems quite simple, despite the 19 games missed this season by his protégé: ” Imagine we keep winning and finish first in the East, I don’t see how we could challenge the MVP title to Joel Embiid. Moreover, the Philadelphia public did not fail to accompany the release of Embiid with some songs from « MVP ! » history to mark the occasion.
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For the Pelicans, the end of the season promises to be bleak: the loss of Williamson weighs down the hopes of qualifying for the play-in via tenth place. New Orleans (30 v.-37 r.) Has two wins behind San Antonio (32 v.-34 r., 1 game down) with only five games to go.
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Milwaukee wants to finish strong
Faced with the Houston Rockets, who will probably finish last in the League (16 successes), the Milwaukee Bucks did not have to force their talent: a comfortable victory (141-133), built after the break, without forcing on the stars of the workforce. Thus, Giannis Antetokounmpo (17 points to 11/17, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) played only 29 minutes and finished … 5th scorer of his team. Khris Middleton (23 points), Brook Lopez (24 points), Jrue Holiday (20 points) and Donte DiVincenzo (18 points) all did better than the Greek in order to carry the Bucks to a fifth straight win.
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This beautiful form has allowed the franchise of Wisconsin to return to the height of the Brooklyn Nets (43v-24d) – who have lost their last four games – in second place in the Eastern Conference. On the Rockets’ side, only three-point address (25 of 53, 47.2%) kept the Texans in the game, while seven players finished the game at 12 points or more.
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28
Friday night, the Houston Rockets asked Khyri Thomas (16 points), beneficiary of a ten-day contract. Thomas became the 28th player to wear the Houston jersey this season, tying an NBA record in the matter.
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At the end of the regular season, where it will be difficult to get the No. 1 place, the Bucks have set themselves an almost unacknowledged goal: not to let go in second place. ” If we see wider, it would be nice to hang on to it, validated Middleton. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if we didn’t make it. But I think the priority for us is to play our best basketball when entering the play-offs. »
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The Milwaukee schedule is rather interesting in this regard: after a trip to San Antonio, Mike Budenholzer’s men will face Orlando, Indiana, Miami and finish with the Chicago Bulls.
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