The Phoenix Suns, seventh in the Western Conference, remained on five consecutive defeats. But the Arizona franchise reacted superbly on Tuesday, winning clearly at home against the Los Angeles Lakers (127-100), ranked fourth, but now on a series of three consecutive losses.
After a balanced first period (62-60 for the Suns), Phoenix stunned its opponent in the third quarter by a 36-18. Devin Booker (26 points), Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant (23 pts each) – the latter two were returning from injury – were the architects of the victory for the Suns, now ranked fifth.
The player: Lillard makes Milwaukee win
The Milwaukee Bucks, sixth in the Eastern Conference and currently on a series of four wins in a row, returned victorious from their trip to the Miami Heat (106-103) who were fifth. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ star player and top scorer of the regular season, was absent, injured in the left knee. It was Damian Lillard who allowed Milwaukee to win, with 37 points and formidable efficiency in long-distance shooting (8/13), as well as 12 assists. In the standings, the two teams have swapped. The Bucks are now fifth.
The action: bad luck for Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves. One second from the final buzzer, he had the match point for his team which was hosting the Houston Rockets, while the score was 102-102. But, after playing through the opposing defense, Edwards saw the ball spin around the hoop and come back into play. Then, in overtime, Houston dominated Minnesota to win (117-111 after). Fred VanVleet led the Rockets in scoring with 27 points, while Alperen Sengun had a triple-double (22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists). In the ranks of the Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert scored five points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
