For the first time since the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the NBA returned to a regular season at 82 games. This will end on April 10 with a hearty Sunday: the 30 teams will be on the floor. Two weeks before this “Super Sunday”, here are the main issues of the last meetings.
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In the East, four teams for a throne
If Phoenix has been celebrating its first place in the Western Conference since Thursday evening, four teams can still settle on the throne in the East. Miami (1st, 47 wins – 26 losses) attack the home straight in the lead. So solid in 2022, the Heat must digest their hectic evening against Golden State on Wednesday (104-118) during which the back Jimmy Butler fell out with his coach Erik Spoelstra then the veteran Udonis Haslem (41 years old), who had to be restrained by his teammates.
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Behind, Milwaukee (2e, 46-27) is a breath away from Miami. But the defending champion wants above all to attack the play-offs with his two All-Stars in form. Khris Middleton is injured in the wrist and Giannis Antetokounmpo sometimes spared to preserve his right knee. The Bucks also have a fierce schedule with three trips to Memphis, Philadelphia and Brooklyn to start.
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Leading the Eastern Conference last year, Philadelphia (3rd, 45-27) can still do the double. The arrival of James Harden has not interrupted the dynamic of the Sixers who will have to find reliable options behind “The Beard” and Joel Embiid to see far in the play-offs. The surprise could come from Boston (4th, 46-28), best team in the East in 2022 (29 wins – 9 losses). The Celtics have the tightest defense in the league (103.8 points conceded per game) and the duo Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown is gaining momentum.
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What road to the play-offs for Brooklyn and the Lakers?
Bookmakers’ favorites at the start of the season, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers are on track to… miss direct qualification for the play-offs. To the East, Brooklyn (8e, 38-35) can blow a big blow: the vaccination mandate for athletes has been lifted in New York and Kyrie Irving will therefore finally be able to play at home. But the third member of the Nets’ “Big Three” is still an enigma. Arrived on February 10, in exchange for James Harden, Ben Simmons did not play a single match and is recovering from a herniated disc.
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The Nets still have a slim chance of grabbing the top 6, synonymous with direct qualification in the play-offs. But it will be necessary to count on failures of Chicago (5e, 42-31), Cleveland (6e, 41-32) Where Toronto (7e, 41-32). Worse, if the classification remains as it is, Irving will not be available to play a play-in in Canada, for lack of a vaccine pass. Behind, Brooklyn must also keep an eye on Charlotte (9e, 37-36, 9e) and Atlanta (10e, 36-37)…
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In the West, for Lakers (10e, 31-42), the road to the play-offs threatens to be even more difficult. The 2020 champions are still without Anthony Davis, who has had a foot injury since February 16. And LeBron James is also starting to miss matches to preserve his left knee. Very bad news when Saint Anthony (11e, 29-44) can still overtake the Angelenos.
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Tied with New Orleans (9e, 31-42)the Californian franchise is probably already too far from the Clippers (8e, 36-38) and will therefore have to win two play-in matches to see the final stages. The Lakers would then find Phoenix, their executioners of the 2021 play-offs, for a spicy reunion. Anthony Davis was responsible for fanning the embers. ” They did well “, Dropped the interior about the Suns, believing that his injury last year had made it easier for them.
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What hierarchy in the West behind Phoenix?
The first place is in the pocket for Phoenix (1er, 60-14). But behind, nothing is fixed. Memphis (2e, 51-23) is on track to retain the runners-up spot after a superb collective season. The Grizzlies face off Golden State (3e, 48-25) Monday night to keep – probably for good – the Warriors away.
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Steve Kerr and his men are also looking in their rear view mirror. Deprived of Stephen Curry for another ten days, at least, the quadruple NBA champions are under threat from Utah (4e, 45-28) and Dallas (5e, 45-28). If the Jazz struggles to string together victories despite Donovan Mitchell (31.1 points on average for two weeks), the Mavericks come back as a cannonball.
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Arrived in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis on February 10, Spencer Dinwiddie took on the costume of sixth man and Luka Doncic found his very best level (32.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8 assists since February 1). At last, Denver (6th, 43-31) and Minnesota (7e, 42-32) are neck and neck for the last direct ticket in the play-offs. The Nuggets and the Timberwolves meet next Friday for a duel that may already be decisive.
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