Basketball – Phoenix continues its march forward

The Suns, currently undisputed leaders in the NBA, easily disposed of the Pacers on Saturday, while the Bucks, who had been crowned champions at their expense in the final last year, won a third success in a row that was hardly obvious against Sacramento.

Mikal Bridges, author of 23 points (10/15, 6 rebounds), was the main architect of this sixth victory in a row (113-103), the ninth in the last ten games for Phoenix, which retains the same lead on his dolphin Golden State.

Inside Bismack Biyombo added 24 pawns (13 rbds), the best total of his career, and Chris Paul 18 with 16 bonus assists. Suddenly, Devin Booker was able to afford to be in a difficult evening (11 pts, at 5/23).

In the East, the defending champion Milwaukee, carried by the duo Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, won a third success in a row, at the expense of Sacramento (133-127), Saturday while Cleveland

Even deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo, spared for knee pain, the Bucks have resources and his lieutenants, Olympic gold medalists with Team USA last summer in Tokyo, did what was necessary to take over.

Middleton, skilled at 12/20 on shots, finished with 34 points (6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Holiday was in tune (26 pts) in a team that shot 50% from long range (21/ 42).

Opposite, Harrison Barnes (29 pts, 6 rebounds) had contributed to the excellent start of the Kings, who had the merit of never giving up, forcing the Bucks to remain focused until the end.

Milwaukee is approaching 3rd place Miami, still followed in 5th place by Cleveland who beat Oklahoma City (94-87), thanks in particular to the solidity of Darius Garland (23 pts, 11 assists).