The currently best team in the NBA loses – and again against Atlanta. The number two team in the Eastern Conference also has to admit defeat
The Atlanta Hawks have once again caused a surprise by defeating the Boston Celtics, currently the best team by far. On Thursday (local time), the tenth-placed team in the Eastern Conference beat the leaders 123:122 (69:63, 112:112) after overtime. The Hawks had already beaten the Celtics three days earlier, halting the Celtics’ run of nine wins in a row.
Dejounte Murray emerged as the match winner. The 27-year-old scored all eleven of Atlanta’s points in overtime, hit the decisive shot in the final second and set a personal career best with a total of 44 points. Boston’s best scorer was Jayson Tatum (31 points). The Hawks recorded their fourth success in a row and now have a six-win lead over the Brooklyn Nets led by basketball world champion Dennis Schröder. The Hawks are therefore still on course to qualify for the playoffs.
In the second game on Thursday (local time), the second-best team in the Eastern Conference was also defeated. The Milwaukee Bucks led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo lost 100:107 (45:61) on the road at the New Orleans Pelicans, with Antetokounmpo’s 35 points and 14 rebounds not enough for the Bucks to win. New Orleans’ best scorer was Zion Williamson (28 points). The Pelicans are one place ahead of the Dallas Mavericks in fifth place in the West.
