NBA
The San Antonio Spurs fixed their entry into the play-in of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday (local time). They defeated the Denver Nuggets 116-97 away while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 110-121 loss at the Phoenix Suns. Jakob Pöltl surpassed the 3,000 mark in the league with 14 points. In addition, the 26-year-old center from Vienna contributed eight rebounds and three assists in 22:55 minutes.
06.04.2022 08.27
Online since today, 8.27 a.m
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Although the Spurs still had to do without top scorer Dejounte Murray, who was ill, they proved to be the stronger team in Denver’s ball arena. Led by Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell (20 points each), six players scored in double digits. Pöltl now has 3,008 career points in the NBA. Nikola Jokic on the Nuggets side was the outstanding player of the evening with 41 points and 17 rebounds, but the reigning league “MVP” only had offensive support from Aaron Gordon (18).
Spurs were “very focused despite the lack of key players,” said Pöltl. “When a 21-point lead dwindled to four, we stayed calm, put on the crucial run and clinched our first win in Denver in five years. With the subsequent Lakers defeat, our mission was accomplished. I’m very proud of our achievements over the past few weeks and we look forward to continuing to fight for the playoffs,” said the home NBA pioneer.
San Antonio has secured tenth place in the Western Conference and can still speculate on ninth place. With three games left in the regular season, the New Orleans Pelicans are missing a win over what is certainly their opponent in the first round of playoff qualifiers. It’s about home advantage. The Spurs travel to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. The Pelicans host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Terminus for the Lakers
For the LA Lakers, the 110:121 at NBA leader Phoenix Suns not only meant the seventh loss in a row, but also the definitive end of all hopes of making the play-in. LeBron James was still missing from the star ensemble due to an ankle injury. The Suns achieved a club record with 63 wins in the regular season.
Miami Heat celebrated their fifth win in a row with 144:115 against the Charlotte Hornets. The Florida team can hardly be denied first place in the Eastern Conference.
National Basketball Association
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