This is an important victory in this battle in the East. While four teams are vying for the best folding seat towards the title, the Miami Heat pulled off the right trick this Wednesday evening by winning on the Boston floor (106-98), one of the fantastic four of the season on this side of the United States with Philadelphia, Milwaukee and therefore Miami.
Launched on a worrying series of four defeats, only interrupted at the start of the week by a success over Sacramento, the Floridians were able to count on a trio Jimmy Butler (24 points)-Kyle Lowry (23 points)-Bam Adebayo (17 points, 12 rebounds) in great shape to make the difference. However, it was Boston who put the pressure on with a 10-0 inflicted at the end of the first quarter, even if Tyler Herro stopped the bleeding at the buzzer (29-25 for Boston).
At halftime, the two teams were back to back (53-52 for Miami) but it was Miami who gave a boost in the third quarter to lead 69-58, before Boston stacked 16 points in a row to get back in the game (83-79 for Boston at the end of the 3rd quarter).
Six minutes from time, Boston was still holding a precious success (92-88), but Max Strus released an essential winning shot, well followed by Butler and Miami regained the lead (93-92) to finally finish the match in control with 48 .1% on shots and a rediscovered defense (106-98) despite attacks from Tatum (23 points) and Brown (28 points).
“It looked like a playoff game”, said Strus at the end of the meeting. A match that allows Miami to lead the Eastern Conference with two more successes than Milwaukee (having played two more matches).
Phoenix jostled but winning
Best record in the League, Phoenix Suns added a 62nd victory this Wednesday evening to its record. A few weeks before the play-offs, the latter nevertheless has a particular taste since the Suns have imposed themselves on the floor of Golden State (107-103), fourth in the West, and obviously, a candidate for the rest of the events.
In a very close match, Phoenix was once again able to count on its solid collective with five players with more than ten points including Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges (22 points). Booker, however, could well have been the author of a serious error in money time. While his team was leading by one point 45” from the end, the back missed his shot at half distance before foul on Jordan Poole trying to catch the shot on the rebound.
The latter found himself on the other side of the floor to add two free throws (for a total of 38 pts) and allow Golden State – deprived of Stephen Curry – to pass in front (100-101) 39” from the end. But it was without counting on the experience of Chris Paul. While his team had just come back in front (102-101) thanks to a walk from Green, the veteran point guard was strolling with his back to the basket on the three-point line before triggering a rapid movement towards the circle and concluding under the hoop.
At 104-101, the hole was made and the Suns could control the last seconds to win another success (107-103), demonstrating, if necessary, their robustness this season.
