Tussle for the playoff spots: The Orlando Magic lose to Houston and slip down the tight standings. Dallas avoids the play-in tournament. The NBA on Wednesday morning
Defeat with consequences. The Orlando Magic (46-33) lost 106-118 to the Houston Rockets (39-40) without Franz Wagner, who injured his ankle, and slipped to fourth place in the tight Eastern Conference. At the same time, Orlando missed out on a possible division title in the Southeast. With three games remaining in the regular season, anything from second place to a play-in spot is still possible for the young team from Florida, for whom Moritz Wagner scored twelve points off the bench.
Passing the Magic are the New York Knicks (47-32), who were once again driven to a top performance by Jalen Brunson (45) – 128-117 against the Chicago Bulls (37-42). Isaiah Hartenstein scored decently (11) and added four rebounds.
Is Antetokounmpo’s Achilles tendon affected?
The Milwaukee Bucks (48-31) slowed their free fall with a 104-91 win over the high-flyers from Boston (62-17), who rested several key players. However, the team from the beer city may have paid dearly for their first win after four defeats, as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo went down in the third quarter and was unable to continue. Calf injury or something more? His Achilles tendon is also being examined and coach Doc Rivers is “very worried”. The Greek’s absence would put a serious damper on the Bucks’ title hopes.
Curious about this game and also a novelty: The Celtics were not awarded a single free throw! Milwaukee just two. There have never been so few in a game in the history of the league
The fog lifts in the West – Gafford’s perfect game
In the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks (49-30) continued their strong run with a 130-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets (19-60). It was the Mavericks’ 15th win in their last 17 games. Because the Phoenix Suns (46-33), currently in seventh place, lost 92-105 to the Los Angeles Clippers (51-28) – the Clippers started with a 31-4 run (!) – both the Clippers and the Mavericks are safely qualified for the playoffs. Maxi Kleber had ten points and six rebounds for the Mavericks, Luka Doncic notched up another triple-double with 39/12/10 and center Daniel Gafford converted all twelve of his shots from the field for a total of 26 points. World champion Daniel Theis, meanwhile, was not allowed on the court for the Clippers.
The Lakers (45-35) and Golden State Warriors (44-35), who were in the running for the title, met in Los Angeles in the battle for the best possible position. The home side lost 120-134 without Anthony Davis, who suffered an eye injury, against the powerful Dubs. LeBron James was unable to prevent the defeat with his 33 points and eleven assists. The Warriors hit 26 threes, with Stephen Curry (6/6), Draymond Green (5/7) and Klay Thompson (5/10) standing out. The Lakers are still ninth, the Warriors tenth – a direct duel in the play-in tournament beckons or threatens.
Edwards sets scoring record – Sabonis remains at 61
Finally, a personal record and the end of a remarkable series. Anthony Edwards scored 51 points in the 130-121 comeback victory of the Minnesota Timberwolves (55-24, tied with Denver for first in the West) against the Washington Wizards (15-65), more than ever before in his relatively young NBA career. And Domantas Sabonis only managed eight points and 13 rebounds in the Sacramento Kings’ (45-34) 105-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder (54-25). A lack of scoring thus snapped his impressive streak of double-doubles at 61.
