The Miami Heat have lost the top spot in the Eastern Conference shortly before the end of the regular season. The Wagner brothers could not prevent the Orlando Magic’s narrow defeat and in Toronto the arena had to be evacuated in the meantime.
Against the Brooklyn Nets, the Heat conceded a 95-110 loss and their fourth straight defeat on Saturday night. The Philadelphia 76ers now lead the Eastern Conference as the Milwaukee Bucks also lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 102-127 despite 30 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After a scare and a long intermission, the Toronto Raptors moved into the all-important sixth spot in the East with a 131-91 win over the Indiana Pacers that would mean direct qualification for the playoffs. In the second quarter, a loudspeaker caught fire and the hall had to be evacuated. Only after a 70-minute interruption did the game finally continue without spectators.
At the bottom of the Eastern Conference stand the Orlando Magic with the Wagner brothers, who lost another close game this season in a 110-114 overtime defeat to the Sacramento Kings. In the process, Orlando conceded the equaliser with 21 seconds left in regulation time despite a four-point lead. Franz Wagner was the Magic’s top scorer with 19 points, while his brother Moritz had a good game coming off the bench with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Houston Rockets with Dennis Schröder won 115-98 at the Portland Trail Blazers and, like Orlando, are now at the bottom of their conference with 20 wins this season. Schröder scored ten points and added eight assists and four steals, but also missed five shots.