The Bucks have no intention of letting the 76ers go. While the Philadelphia franchise remains on six straight victories so as not to lose sight of the Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference, that of Milwaukee signed a third consecutive success during its visit to Indiana. A meeting during which the Pacers could only lead to the score nine seconds, following the opener signed Myles Turner (24 points, 5 rebounds). After the immediate equalization of an unplayable Giannis Antetokounmpo this Friday (41 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists), Pat Connaughton (14 points, 8 rebounds) set the sights at long distance. However, it was not until the end of the first quarter that the Bucks escaped, with a fifteen-point lead. A margin that exploded in the twelve minutes leading up to halftime, which Milwaukee was able to reach with a mattress of 29 lengths. Back from the locker room, the Pacers tried to fight back and Buddy Hield’s teammates (22 points, 5 rebounds) got closer to only fifteen units at the start of the last quarter. Faced with the Bucks who have eased off, Indiana gave everything but failed at ten points (131-141), thus conceding their second loss in a row.
The Warriors worn by Curry and Thompson
Golden State, for its part, was waiting to chain two successes in a row since its series of five victories straddling the end of December and the beginning of January. After alternating the good and the bad, the Warriors relied on the “Splash Brothers” to overcome the Toronto Raptors. The Canadian franchise, driven by Fred VanVleet (28 points, 10 assists) and Scottie Barnes (24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) raced in the lead for almost the entire first half. Nevertheless, unable to take more than an eight-point lead in those 24 minutes, the Raptors remained vulnerable. After a first alert at the very end of the first quarter, the Warriors took control just before the break, reached with a head start. After a burst of pride from Toronto players, Stephen Curry (25 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists) and Klay Thompson (29 points, 8 rebounds) signaled the end of recess. In a last one-sided quarter, the Warriors broke away to win by twelve units (129-117), passing at the same time their balance sheet in positive. For the Raptors, after two straight wins, it’s a setback.
The Grizzlies confirm having won
The last highlight of this NBA night was the fifth loss in a row conceded by the Memphis Grizzlies during a trip to the Minnesota Timberwolves floor. With a discreet but valuable Rudy Gobert under the hoop (7 points, 13 rebounds), the Minneapolis-based franchise has never been in trouble. It must be said that the Grizzlies, weighed down by absences despite Ja Morant’s triple-double (27 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists), almost did not exist, having led to the score only a few seconds at the very start of encounter. While Karl-Anthony Towns was not on the scoresheet, Kyle Anderson (23 points, 6 assists) and Anthony Edwards (25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) guided Wolves to a second straight success (111-100), who continue to climb the Western Conference standings. For the Grizzlies, a reaction is always more urgent not to let the Nuggets fly away. In a Florida derby, the Miami Heat won at home against the Orlando Magic (110-105) when the Thunder got the better of the Cavaliers (112-100).
