The Chicago Bulls continue to fall in the Eastern Conference. Beaten Thursday by Atlanta, they left second place to Philadelphia. And, on Friday, losing at home against the Milwaukee Bucks (118-112), defending champions, the Illinois franchise abandoned third position in the conference to its winners. The two teams certainly have the same record (39 wins – 25 losses), but Milwaukee is ahead in the number of wins against teams from the East.
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Another double-double from Antetokounmpo
At the break, the Bucks had a narrow lead (57-53), after managing a 14-point gap (47-33, 18th). But, in the third quarter, Chicago managed to take control of the game (88-81, 36th). The last 12 minutes were very close, with the two teams first exchanging the lead on the scoreboard.
Then Milwaukee took the lead (104-102, 43rd) and held on, even if the Bulls were threatening until the end (114-112, 48th), following a three-point shot from Zack LaVine. A shot from Jevon Carter and two free throws from Jrue Holiday finally secured the win for Milwaukee. The Wisconsin franchise has thus signed a third consecutive victory, while Chicago now remains on four defeats in a row.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a sixth consecutive double-double, with 34 points and 16 rebounds. Jrue Holiday (26 pts) and Kris Middleton (22) also won Milwaukee. The Bulls, for their part, relied on Zach LaVine (30 pts) and DeMar DeRozan (29). As of Sunday, the Bucks will defend their new status as third against the Phoenix Suns, the leaders of the Western Conference.
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Phoenix wins at the last second
The Arizona franchise also played Friday, at home, without Devin Booker (Covid protocol) or Chris Paul (thumb fracture). She signed a forceps victory against the New York Knicks (115-114). After a balanced first period (58-55 for the Suns), the visitors attacked (93-79, 36th) and led until the last 30 seconds, when Jae Crowder, with a three-point shot, passed Phoenix in the lead (112-111).-
The final seconds were unbearable, New York regaining control, thanks to a shot from Mitchell Robinson and a free throw from Alec Burks. But, 1”2 from the buzzer, Cameron Johnson fired a three-point shot for the Suns that hit home and won his team. The Knicks, who were on a six-game losing streak, came close to breaking it in the best possible way: against the No. 1 regular season team.
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Coming off the bench, Johnson was Phoenix’s strongman. He scored 38 points in just 28 minutes of play, with incredible ease in three-point shooting (9/12). Among the Knicks, Julius Randle was the most effective (25 pts). But he was sent off during the third quarter, after a fight, in which Cameron Johnson was also involved. Evan Fournier, he scored 16 points (5/11 shooting including 4/7 from three points), took a rebound and delivered two assists.
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