The Phoenix Suns won the top game against the Miami Heat and became the first team to qualify for the NBA play-offs.
In the duel of the two top teams from the Western and Eastern Conference, the Suns asserted themselves 111-90 on Wednesday night (local time) and left no doubt in Miami that they want the title this time after finishing second last season. “We know what we’re working for,” Devin Booker said after making his comeback after previously taking four games off because he was on the NBA’s Corona roster. He was immediately the game’s top scorer with 23 points.
The Heat’s loss moved the Milwaukee Bucks a little closer to first place in the Eastern Conference. The defending champions won 124-115 at home against the Atlanta Hawks and once again relied on the extra class of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek had 43 points, twelve rebounds and five assists.
Daniel Theis recorded a 115-101 win over the Charlotte Hornets with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics underlined their own play-off ambitions this season and benefited from another strong performance from Jayson Tatum, who finished with 44 points.
Wagner brothers instrumental in win over Pelicans
Dennis Schröder led the Houston Rockets to a 139-130 overtime home win over the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 12 points off the bench against his faltering former team. It was the sixth loss in the past seven games for LeBron James’ team. Although the superstar recorded a triple double of 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, it was not enough for the clear favourites. As the ninth-placed team in the West, the Lakers even have to fear for their play-in place. The teams ranked first to sixth qualify directly, the teams ranked seventh to tenth then play the remaining two participants and thus have the chance to get into the championship round via a diversion.
Franz and Moritz Wagner from Berlin won 108-102 with the Orlando Magic against the New Orleans Pelicans. Franz Wagner had 15 points, Moritz Wagner scored nine. The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, lost 77-107 to the New York Knicks. Luka Doncic’s 31 points were too few, national player Maxi Kleber scored two points.
