Bucks seal NBA play-off berth; Nuggets fall again · The42

THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS turned the primary workforce to clinch an NBA play-off place on Tuesday after holding off a late rally from the Phoenix Suns to finish a 116-104 street victory in Arizona.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 factors with 11 rebounds and eight assists because the Bucks introduced up their fiftieth win of the common season to cement their grip on first place on the prime of the Japanese Convention.

Antetokounmpo was backed by 21 factors from Brook Lopez whereas three different Milwaukee gamers completed in double figures.

The Bucks now lead the Japanese Convention by three video games from Boston with a 50-19 file because the common season enters its ultimate stretch.

However it wanted a late burst of scoring by Milwaukee to verify of victory, the Bucks stitching collectively a 24-9 run within the ultimate seven minutes of the fourth quarter to tug clear after the Suns had edged right into a 95-92 lead with 8min 47sec remaining.

Devin Booker led the Suns scorers with 30 factors whereas Deandre Ayton completed with 16 factors for the hosts.

On the prime of the Western Convention, in the meantime, the Denver Nuggets slumped to a fourth straight defeat as Fred VanVleet stored the Toronto Raptors’ play-off hopes alive with a virtuoso show in a 125-110 victory.

Toronto level guard VanVleet completed with 36 factors, together with eight three-pointers, with seven assists and three steals to provide Toronto an important win as they goal to stay in competition for a spot within the postseason.

The Raptors went on the entrance foot from the outset, pouring in a franchise file 49 factors in a exceptional first quarter to depart convention leaders Denver shellshocked.

Though a late rally noticed Denver near inside six factors within the fourth, Toronto went on a late run to tug away as soon as extra and full a wire-to-wire victory on the Scotiabank Area.

‘We’re in chill mode’

Denver coach Michael Malone had stern phrases for his workforce after the defeat.

“I would like to seek out some guys who’re able to combat with me, as a result of proper now we’re in chill mode,” Malone mentioned.

“And we will’t be in chill mode with 13 video games to go within the season. We’ve bought to discover a solution to get our swagger again and get again to enjoying Denver Nugget basketball.”

In different video games Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers bought again to profitable methods after Sunday’s defeat to the New York Knicks with a complete 123-108 street win over the New Orleans Pelicans within the Massive Straightforward.

With LeBron James sidelined, Anthony Davis as soon as once more stepped up for the Lakers with 35 factors and 17 rebounds whereas Malik Beasley placed on a three-point taking pictures clinic, making 7-of-12 makes an attempt from past the arc in a 24-point haul.

The win retains the Lakers firmly in competition for a play-off place with slightly below 4 weeks of the common season remaining.

“We’re simply making an attempt to remain alive,” Davis mentioned afterwards. “We got here out with a mindset of getting this as a must-win recreation.”

Davis had been decided to provide an enormous efficiency towards his former membership, after blaming himself for the Lakers’ 112-108 loss to the Knicks on Sunday.

“Everyone did their job (on Sunday) besides myself. That was on me,” Davis mentioned.

“I by no means wish to have a efficiency like I did the opposite night time and let my workforce down. I wished to return out tonight and make a distinction.”

In Portland, the in-form New York Knicks overcame a 38-point show from Damian Lillard which included eight three-pointers to overpower the Path Blazers 123-107.

Immanuel Quickley had 26 factors, Julius Randle 24 and RJ Barrett 22 on an evening when six Knicks gamers broke double figures.

Cleveland in the meantime stored up their pursuit of Philadelphia within the Japanese Convention with a 120-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina.

Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers scorers within the absence of Donovan Mitchell with 26 factors as Cleveland improved to 44-27 to stay fourth within the East.

– © AFP 2023