The Knicks, confirming their excellent current form, brought down (109-94) the Celtics, sanctioned by the loss of first place in the East, on Monday in the NBA, where Miami, thanks to decisive Jimmy Butler, had the last word in Philadelphia (101-99).
And here are the Milwaukee Bucks leaders of the conference, a small upheaval in the classification, since Boston has occupied the head for 99 of the last 101 days.
Deprived of Jaylen Brown (facial fracture), the C’s ran out of juice on the floor of Madison Square Garden, 48 hours after their snatch victory against the Sixers – they also appeared tired in their match of the day -, thanks including a saving shot of Jayson Tatum.
The latter symbolized their difficulties, since he struggled to find the target (14 pts, 9 assists) accusing a 6/18 in shots. His frustration also showed three minutes from the end with a second technical foul synonymous with exclusion, the first of his career.
If Malcolm Brogdon (22 pts) and Marcus Smart (19 pts) were active, Boston lacked offensive percussion, against New Yorkers who defended the bit between their teeth.
– NY fifth in the East –
Julius Randle was the locomotive of the Knicks in attack (23 pts, 7 rebounds), with Immanuel Quickley (23 pts) off the bench, Jalen Brunson being limited to 17 pts (4/12 on shots), under the eyes of ‘Evan Fournier stayed in a tracksuit.
NY climbs to 5th place, thanks to this sixth victory in a row.
Two rows behind is the Heat, who stopped their four-game losing streak by winning in Philadelphia on the wire. When the Sixers, who were up to 11 units behind, came back in front with the score 1 min 41 sec from the end, Jimmy Butler worked to stop this rebellion.
And he put the forms there with this basket while contorting, Michael Jordan style, in traffic to allow his team to regain the advantage on the following action (100-99), before registering a final free throw with 8.1 sec to play. He finished with 23 points (9/14 on shots), 11 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.
A very complete score from the Florida leader, yet hardly spared from injuries this season, praised by his teammate Bam Adebayo: “He had ups and downs and it feels good to see him like that in good health ” .
– Sixers “lethargic” –
The pivot of the Heat (13 pts, 7 rebounds) was also decisive in countering Joel Embiid with 29 seconds remaining.
The latter (27 pts, 12 rebounds) seemed to have taken the upper hand inside during this money-time, after Tyrese Maxey had sounded the revolt in the third quarter by registering 14 of his 23 points. As for James Harden (20 pts, 12 assists), he missed the winning basket at long distance.
“We were flat in the first half,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Before, we played two games which took a lot of energy from us… We were lethargic. It happens. But in these tight matches you have to find a way to win. Tonight we didn’t. do.”
Despite this second setback in a row, Philly remains 3rd.
Lower, Charlotte (14th) chained a fifth consecutive victory (117-106) against Detroit, while deploring the injury of LaMelo Ball (18 pts) victim of a fracture in the right foot.
On the Pistons side, Killian Hayes, holder, was unsuccessfully efficient (12 pts, 10 assists, 4 interceptions, 2 blocks).
Finally, Orlando (13th), carried by Paolo Banchero (29 pts, 8 rebounds) inflicted a fourth straight loss on New Orleans (101-93), which stagnates in 10th position in the West.
