Devin Booker, back, guided Phoenix to success against Miami (111-90) on Wednesday in Florida in a duel between the two conference leaders that secured the Suns their place in the NBA playoffs and brought Milwaukee closer to the Heat in the East. thanks to its victory over Atlanta (124-115).
Booker, back on the floor after missing four games due to the Covid-19 protocol, compiled 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to bring the Arizona franchise’s record to 53 wins – for 13 losses.
“I’m just trying to find my rhythm”said Booker. “I had a week off. I felt good. I was ready to get back to it.”
That victory counted for the Suns after their 123-100 loss to Miami in Phoenix on Jan. 8. “They came to our pitch and corrected us so we wanted to send a message here”released Booker.
Phoenix, beaten in the NBA Finals last year by Milwaukee, became the first team to secure a playoff spot this season. “We can’t wait to be there,” Booker said. We don’t want to fail again.”
Their fallers and reigning NBA champions, the Bucks have chained their sixth consecutive success, against Atlanta (124-115). Thanks to this victory bearing the mark of Giannis Antetokounmpo (43 points, 12 rebounds), the title holders return to two victories of the leader of the Eastern Conference Miami. Trae Young was unsurprisingly the Hawks’ leading scorer with 27 points scored and 11 assists delivered.
League MVP Nikola Jokic led Denver to success against the Sacramento Kings (106-100) by collecting 38 points and 18 rebounds. A fourth straight win for the Nuggets.
Triple double de LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the red lantern Houston in overtime (109-100) despite a triple double from their superstar LeBron James (23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists).
“When we make a mistake, when we collapse defensively or when we don’t pay attention to the basket, the teams make us pay for it every time”noted LBJ after the ninth consecutive loss of his team on the road. “It’s as simple as that. We have a small margin of error and they make us pay for it.”
With this 37th loss, the franchise falls to ninth place in the Western Conference.
Three days after his 54 points stacked against the Nets, Jayson Tatum almost did it again (44 points) and led the Boston Celtics to success in Charlotte (115-101). DeMar DeRozan’s Bulls (36 points) won in Detroit (114-108).
Gregg Popovich, co-holder of the regular season win record for a coach with Don Nelson (1.335), will have to wait to surpass him after the loss of his San Antonio Spurs against the Toronto Raptors (109-104).
The Utah Jazz beat Portland (123-85). The Minnesota Timberwolves took over Oklahoma City (132-102). And the New York Knicks corrected Dallas (107-77) despite 31 points from Slovenian Mavericks star Luka Doncic. Orlando dominated New Orleans (108-102) and finally the Los Angeles Clippers won at home against Washington (115-104).
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