Last night, if Milwaukee won at Phoenix (104-116) and immediately qualified for the playoffs, Denver fell to Toronto (125-110) and chained a fourth in a row.
If few people doubted it, the Bucks will be there in the playoffs. In effect, winner in Phoenix on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (104-116), Milwaukee is officially the first franchise to win its ticket to the final stages this season, which will take place in a few weeks. For this, the NBA champions in 2021 were once again able to count on a huge Giannis Antetokoumpo. After his 46 points and 12 rebounds the day before against the Sacramento Kings, the “Greak Freek” this time came close to a triple-double with 36 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists against the Suns in just over 35 minutes. On the side of the residents of the Footprint Center, if Devin Booker (30 points) tried to compete, he was far too alone to hope to doubt the team of Mike Budenholzer, more than ever at the head of his Conference. Led by only one point before the last quarter, the locals completely cracked and could not prevent the Bucks from signing their 50th victory (in 69 games). At 13 games from the end of the regular season, Milwaukee therefore takes a small option on first place in the East, with three more successes than the Boston Celtics.
The four in a row for Denver
Conversely, the Nuggets are experiencing a less successful period this season. Beaten by Chicago, San Antonio and Brooklyn in recent days, Denver was again defeated last night, this time in Toronto (125-110). Carried by a great evening Fred VanVleet (36 points and 7 assists), the Raptors hit hard from the start with a scathing 49-30 in the first quarter. Behind, teammates OG Anunoby (24 points) and Scottie Barnes (18 points and 7 rebounds) faltered only an instant after halftime, which allowed the visitors to come back to six lengths (98 -92). Well supported by Michael Porter Jr. (23 points) and Aaron Gordon (18 points), Nikola Jokic (28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists) tried everything to prevent the Nuggets from another defeat. In vain. Thanks to a good last quarter (27-18), Toronto did not crack and put an end to a series of three consecutive losses (Denver, LA Clippers and LA Lakers) and relaunched in the race for the playoffs. For its part, although beaten, the Colorado franchise remains at the top of the Western Conference, with a substantial margin over the Memphis Grizzlies, but will be keen to return to victory as soon as possible. The game against the Detroit Pistons in two days seems ideal for that…
BASKET – NBA / REGULATE THE SEASON
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Charlotte Hornets – Cleveland Cavaliers : 104-120
Washington Wizards – Detroit Pistons : 117-97
Toronto Raptors – Denver Nuggets : 125-110
New Orleans Pelicans – Los Angeles Lakers : 108-123
Oklahoma City Thunder – Brooklyn Nets : 121-107
san antonio spurs – Orlando Magic : 132-114
Phoenix Suns – Milwaukee Bucks : 104-116
Portland Trail Blazers – New York Knicks : 107-123
