The final sprint to snatch fourth place in the Eastern Conference – and therefore have home advantage in the first round of the play-offs – is breathtaking. The Atlanta Hawks kept control Thursday night by winning with authority against the Orlando Magic (116-93) in the wake of Bogdan Bogdanovic (27 points) and Clint Capela (16 points, 16 rebounds). Trae Young (18 points despite a 0 out of 5 at three points) and his teammates therefore keep this fourth place for the moment and have their destiny in hand with a record of 40 wins and 31 losses (1 game to play).
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Just behind, the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks are on the lookout (39 v.-31 d.) After winning Thursday. The Knicks, qualified since the day before thanks to the loss of Boston, have disposed of the San Antonio Spurs (102-98) despite a delay that rose to 17 points in the third period (75-58, 33rd). They reversed the trend thanks to Alec Burks (30 points off the bench for his return after three games of absence), Julius Randle still omnipresent (25 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists) and RJ Barrett (24 points). Frenchie Frank Ntilikina played six minutes for three points (1 on 1 shooting), a rebound and a block.
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Short and conspicuous passage of Haslem (Miami)
Miami prevented the Philadelphia 76ers from securing first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2001. The Heat won with authority (106-94), thanks to a collective effort (6 players at 10 points and more). Jimmy Butler brought 21 points, Bam Adebayo approached a triple double (18 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists) and the duo Tyler Herro-Goran Dragic shone (respectively 18 and 15 points).
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76ers side, Joël Embiid was limited to six points (3 of 9 shooting, 4 loss of ball) in a team that lacked involvement. The match was also (especially) marked by the appearance of Udonis Haslem. The veteran, who is practically an assistant coach at over 40, has appeared in a game for the first time this season (his 18th in the league). And after … four minutes, he was ruled out for a clash with Dwight Howard, initiated by a muscular duel under the panels that saw Haslem finish his buttocks on the floor.
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Before that, he still had time to score four points and take a rebound. “It’s my favorite moment of the season, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. It’s an excess of passion, competitive spirit, anger … And I love it! That’s why he’s with us and everyone in the locker room has enormous respect and love for him. “ The message of the last NBA finalists is clear: after a sometimes chaotic regular season, they are ready to strengthen their game to afford play-offs at the height of their standing.
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