The game: Lakers knocked out by rookie Jalen Green
When it does not want, it does not want. And we will end up wondering if the Lakers really want to grab the playoffs. In great difficulty this season, the Angelenos are sinking. They bit the dust against the Rockets, last in the West, last night. A 130 to 139 defeat after extra time. LeBron James (23 points to 9 of 26, 14 rebounds and 12 assists), Russell Westbrook (30 points) and company fell to… a rookie. Jeff Green, the second draft pick, scored 32 points. His personal best so far. He especially planted 10 in overtime to complete his opponents.
NBA
What if the Celtics could go all the way?
YESTERDAY AT 08:57
Two other beginners had great performances: 21 points and 15 rebounds for Alperen Sengun and 21 for Josh Christopher off the bench. It is only the second victory in fifteen matches for Houston… For its part, Los Angeles suffers its ninth defeat in a row away from home and the sixth in seven games. Not only is direct qualification in the playoffs impossible – the Lakers are 11 wins from seventh place – but they are also about to be overtaken by the Pelicans. A very sad season.
The series: 6 in a row for the Bucks of a great Giannis Antetokounmpo
The construction continues. The Bucks are preparing to return to the campaign to defend their title in the coming weeks. But in their mind, and also no doubt in that of Giannis Antetokounmpo, they are already in the playoffs. In any case, they play as if the competition had already started and the Hawks are the last to have paid the price last night. A 124 to 115 victory for Milwaukee – the sixth in a row! – with 43 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists from the Greek. Another show of strength for the Bucks, now second in the East.
The player: Nikola Jokic once again sparkling
If Giannis Antetokounmpo marks the spirits by chaining the big performances, his competitor for the MVP, Nikola Jokic, does not weaken either. The Serb was impressive in the Nuggets’ victory against the Kings on Wednesday (106-100). As per usual. His 38 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists made the difference for Denver. This is the fourth straight victory for the Colorado franchise, which can still hope to finish in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Performance: Jayson Tatum plants 44 points against the Hornets
Just after conceding 50 points from Kyrie Irving, the Hornets received the Celtics from Jayson Tatum. The team in form in recent weeks and a superstar who also has a string of cards. Well he did not miss the opportunity to hurt a defense in the hard. The young Boston winger scored 44 points to lead his team to a fourth consecutive victory (115-101). He didn’t even really have to force his talent. 16 successful shots in 24 attempts, including 6 of 9 behind the three-point line. The mark of a player on his little cloud.
The comeback: DeMar DeRozan finally revives the Bulls
A sigh of relief for Chicago. After 5 losses in a row, the Bulls found their way to victory by moving on the floor of the Pistons, one of the worst teams in the league. But a success remains a success and the players of Billy Donovan trembled until the end to get it (114-108). With, as often, a great DeMar DeRozan to save them. He scored 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to allow his team to recover from a 7-point handicap before winning.
The shock: Phoenix officially qualified for the playoffs after beating Miami
A clash of the titans, without Chris Paul on one side or Jimmy Butler on the other. The top two from each Conference met on Wednesday night and Phoenix largely took over Miami (111-90) on the occasion of Devin Booker’s return to competition. The All-Star rear celebrated by flirting with the triple-double: 23 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. The Suns, who got revenge after losing the first set by 23 points in January, made the difference in the third quarter (34-19 in 12 minutes) to head for easy success. They validate at the same time their place for the playoffs with already 53 victories in 66 meetings.
The state: 11
Like the number of three-point baskets planted by Malik Beasley on Wednesday night. The Timberwolves guard broke his franchise record while leading Minnesota to victory against Oklahoma City (132-102). He finished with 33 points, all scored from behind the arc. In reality, he only tried his luck at three points (11 out of 17).
The image: The improbable basket of the evening
But is that basketball?
The French: The basket for the win for Nicolas Batum
Author of 17 points in the last game, Nicolas Batum was not as prolific on Wednesday but he was very valuable for the Clippers, winners of the Wizards. He finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Indeed, the veteran planted the three-point basket to take control of the game in the last seconds. Aligned for 20 minutes, Théo Maledon compiled 12 points and 7 rebounds for Oklahoma City. On the other hand, his teammate Olivier Sarr did not score. 10 points for Evan Fournier in the Knicks’ big win against the Mavericks. Rudy Gobert scored “only” 9 points but that’s because the Jazz rolled over the Blazers (38 points apart). Suddenly, the French pivot was limited to 22 minutes and he converted his 4 attempts. He added 10 rebounds.
The results of the night in the NBA
Hornets – Celtics : 101-115
Pistons – Bulls : 108-114
Heat – Suns : 90-111
Bucks – Hawks : 124-115
Rockets – Lakers : 139-130
Timberwolves – Thunder : 132-102
Pelicans – Magic : 102-108
Mavericks – Knicks : 77-107
Spurs – Raptors : 104-119
Jazz – Trail Blazers : 123-85
Kings – Nuggets : 100-106
Clippers – Wizards : 109-115
NBA
A gala Irving plant 50 points to the Hornets
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