It is not yet time to abdicate. This is the signal that the reigning champions wanted to send to the best team in the League in what could potentially be the 2022 play-off final. Without Chris Paul and Booker, Phoenix is forced to raise the white flag at the home of the Milwaukee Bucks (40-25). The Suns (51-13) leave the Fiserv Forum with a very high head, beaten 132-122, surrendering only in the very last minutes in front of the overwhelming power of Middleton, author of a crazy 44-point race with a 5 out of 9 from the arc and a 16 out of 27 total shooting. A “normal” evening, however, for Giannis Antetokounmpo: 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Ayton’s great game (30) is not enough for coach Monty Williams this time.
Memphis crolla a Houston, ok Utah e Denver
To the West they also lose the Memphis Grizzlies (44-22), who surprisingly fall 132-122 at the home of the Houston Rockets (16-48), last in the standings and second worst team in the League: Bane (28), Morant (22) and Adams (23) are the the only ones to go in double figures for the guests, on the opposite front the trio made up of Porter Jr, Green and Wood, who put 29, 24 and 28 respectively on the scoresheet. Utah Jazz (40-23) who pass quietly on the Oklahoma City Thunder parquet (20-44) 116-103 dragged by Bogdanovic’s 35 points and repel the assault on fourth place from Dallas (39-25). The Mavs must now watch their backs from the return of the Denver Nuggets (38-26), who need an overtime and a monstrous Jokic to beat the Pelicans 138-130. The Serbian achieves the 17th triple double of his season, scoring 46 points (of which 30 only between the last quarter and overtime), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks. Resounding numbers for a player who does not want to cease to amaze.
Tatum beats Durant, new sorrow for Brooklyn
Also sumptuous Jayson Tatum in the 126-120 victory of the Boston Celtics (39-27) against the Brooklyn Nets (32-33), the fourth knockout in a row and even dropped to tenth position, the last valid to play at least the play-in. The class of ’98 scores 54 points with an 8 out of 15 from a distance, also winning the personal duel with Kevin Durant, who slips 37, but without being able to drag his to success. They return to smile instead i Cleveland Cavaliers (37-27), who beat the Toronto Raptors (34-30) at home 104-96 dragged by the double doubles of Markkanen (22 points, 12 rebounds), Mobley (20 points, 17 rebounds) and Garland (17 points, 10 rebounds) assist).
The results
Boston Celtics-Brooklyn Nets 126-120, Milwaukee Bucks-Phoenix Suns 132-122, Washington Wizards-Indiana Pacers 133-123, Houston Rockets-Memphis Grizzlies 132-112, Oklahoma City Thunder-Utah Jazz 103-116, Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors 104-96, Denver Nuggets-New Orleans Pelicans 138-130 d1ts, Los Angeles Clippers-New York Knicks 93-116.
