Last straight of the regular season. The suspense is at its height and all levels in the two conferences, whether in the fight for the podium or for the play-in.
Boston versus Miami. The Celtics face the NBA finalist of the previous season. A crucial match for the two formations in the fight to avoid the play-in. However, this poster, which had it all on paper, was one-sided in favor of the Miami Heat. From the start of the match, the players of Brad Stevens are not in it. The gap climbs quickly to reach +13 in favor of Floridians after the first twelve minutes. The Miami players are not stopping there and take advantage of Boston’s defensive generosity and poor offensive choices to soar spectacularly on the scoreboard. With a Jimmy Butler relatively discreet (4 points the break), Miami leads however by 26 points: 79 53. History to put things in perspective, the performance of the Celtics in the first period is quite simply the worst performance in the history of Boston at the TD Garden. Upon returning from the locker room, Evan Fournier, author of a very good game, demolishes and puts his team back on the right path. Slowly but surely, Boston seems to be putting more effort and commitment into each action and is returning little to contact. Before starting the last quarter, the Celtics are only 21 lengths from Miami: 105 84. The start of the last period is clearly the advantage of Boston and nine minutes from the end, the gap n ‘ is more than 11 points in favor of the NBA finalists. Better yet, the Celtics approach two possessions a little over three minutes: 108,102. Unfortunately for the elves, the bosses of the Heat will ensure late in the game. The revolt initiated by Evan Fournier came too late and Boston ended up losing six points (130 – 124) and on a score which is absolutely not indicative of the face of the meeting.
Evan Fournier perfectly compensated for the lack of Jaylen Brown. Author of 30 points 7/11 three points, the French was the best player in Boston last night. Jayson Tatum finished him with 29 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Behind, the 18 points of Kemba Walker and the 16 points of Marcus Smart serve nothing. Worse yet, this Boston loss looks like professional misconduct. In such a crucial end to the season, in such a tense playoff race, the preparation and involvement in this match have not been up to standard. The Celtics will be able to bite their fingers because with this setback, they will have to go 99% through the play-in. Ct Heat, Jimmy Butler had a big second period and finished with 26 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds. 20 points for Bam adebayo and 22 points for Duncan Robinson, excellent behind the arc (6/10). Finally Kendrick Nunn (12), Tyler Herro (12) and Trevor Ariza (19) answered now.
- new york 106 – 100 l.a Clippers
Another important meeting for an Eastern franchise tonight? The one that pitted the New York Knicks against the LA Clippers The penultimate game of the road trip for the New Yorkers and after taking a suitcase against Phoenix and Denver, we did not give dear skin flocks of Tom Thibodeau. However, it is totally disappointed that the Knicks have come to win the Staples Center. While they had a catastrophic start (mens 10 0 after 3 minutes of play), they never panicked and quietly returned. Behind the end of the first twelve minutes, it is in the lead that they returned to the locker room: 56 – 54. The difference was made in half of the third quarter. From there, New York got their hands on the game and never let it go again. The New York Defense was there and smothered the LA scorers as Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. The last quarter is well mastered and New York finally won 106,100, auspicious before defying the other team in LA, the Lakers.
The Knicks’ performance is even more impressive when you know that Julius Randle is completely out of his game on offense. If the All-Star finished with a bang in the last quarter, he was no help in the first three periods. The New York collective was very good and sublimated by the performance of a man: Derrick Rose. The MVP 2011 splashed the meeting of his talent, alternating between drives, floaters, mid-distance and long-distance shots. Without ever forcing, Rose delivered a standard performance and took the opportunity to match her best mark this season. He finished with 25 points 11/17 on shots, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Clumsy in attack with a 7/19 on shots (he had started the game with a 3/13 …), Julius Randle finally finished with a nice double-double: 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Reggie Bullock author of 24 points was very good while RJ Barrett impressed as well in attack with his 18 points and 7 rebounds as in defense against Paul George or Kawhi Leonard. The two Clippers All-Stars were well muzzled in this game. The first finished with 18 points 8/20 on shots while the second finished with 29 points 9/29 on shots … Nicolas batum was active with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 interception but in vain. The Clippers leave the possibility to the Nuggets to return to their height in their next game.
- NEW ORLEANS 112 – 110 charlotte
An attractive meeting on paper between two promising formations, Charlotte welcomed New Orleans with the aim of securing 8th place in view of the play-in. On the other hand, this game is a bit of a last chance for the Pelicans. Despite many absent in both teams: Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Josh Hart and Steven Adams for Pelicans – Devonte’ Graham, Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin and Miles Bridges for the Hornets, the two formations fought a good battle. Mens during a good part of the meeting, the players of Stan Van Gundy managed to reverse the trend late in the game by taking advantage of the Hornets’ attack failure. They finally won 112 110 thanks to a good collective performance (six players over 10 points).
In the absence of the two offensive leaders of the team (Zion Williamson out for the season because of his fracture and Brandon Ingram out because of his ankle), Eric Bledsoe took the leadership perfectly. With 24 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, the former Milwaukee player led his team to paramount success. 17 points for James Johnson, 18 for Jaxson Hayes. Lonzo Ball was a clumsy one with just 12 4/14 points on shots. In front, LaMelo his brother, was one of Charlotte’s two best players. With 22 points and 5 assists, he tried everything to assist Terry Rozier. The former Boston player made an offensive card of which he has the secret by finishing with 43 points, 16/26 on shots including a nice 7/11 three points. With this success, New Orleans returns a victory of San Antonio, 10th while Charlotte misses the opportunity to widen the gap with Washington, 9th.
Miami 130 Boston 124
New York 106 LA 100
New Orleans 112 Charlotte 110
Dallas 124 Cleveland 97
Minnesota 128 Orlando 96
Chicago 108 Detroit 96
Phoenix 110 LA Lakers 12
Oklahoma City 98 Sacramento 126
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