Chicago clings to its last hope
The last team placed out of the top 10 in each conference not to be officially eliminated, the Chicago Bulls kept their small chance of qualifying by beating the Toronto Raptors (114-102) on Thursday night. The latter made it much easier for their evening hosts by leaving most of their major players to rest and using only eight players in total. Side Bulls, Zach LaVine scored 24 points, Lauri Markkanen 20 and Nikola Vucevic signed his “usual” double double (16 points, 16 rebounds). To qualify, only one possible scenario: Chicago must beat Brooklyn and Milwaukee and count on two losses of the Washington Wizards against Cleveland and Charlotte.
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Memphis eliminates Sacramento and secures “final”
The Memphis Grizzlies got it double Thursday night at home. By winning (116-110) with 30 points from Dillon Brooks and a double double from Jonas Valanciunas (24 points, 13 rebounds), they eliminated their evening opponent, the Sacramento Kings (guaranteeing a place for the San Antonio Spurs in dams). The Grizzlies also made sure to play a sort of final for 8th place against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. This position is of enormous importance since the team ranked 8th will have a double chance of entering the play-offs (either by beating the 7th, or by dominating the winner of the match between the 9th and the 10th, each time in a dry match. ). The ninth will have no right to error (victory against the 10th then the loser of the 7th-8th match to qualify).
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Status quo between Denver and the Clippers
Even if Phoenix, ahead, is not 100% assured of second place, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets should logically compete for third place in the Western Conference. On Thursday, the two teams won, allowing the Clippers to stay one step ahead (47 v.-23 r. Against 46 v.-24 r.) With two games remaining. The Angelenos disposed of the Charlotte Hornets (113-90) despite a sluggish first half (led 47-44 at the break). Paul George scored 20 points, took 10 rebounds and gave 6 assists. Substitute at kickoff, Nicolas Batum played 23 minutes for 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 against and 1 interception. The Nuggets themselves controlled the Minnesota Timberwolves (114-103) with 31 points from Nikola Jokic.
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Note that in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers (142-133) with 40 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists from Giannis Antetokounmpo. That brings Milwaukee back to a Brooklyn win for second place in the Eastern Conference. Indiana and Charlotte having been beaten, the two teams remain tied (33 v.-37 d.) In the play-off area even if Charlotte retains the particular advantage for the very precious 8th place. The Hornets will travel to New York and Washington to end the season as the Pacers challenge the Lakers and Toronto.
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