No Giannis, no problems as Bucks seal top spot; Knicks dazzle with epic 44-year first: NBA Wrap
The Milwaukee Bucks disregarded the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Chicago Bulls 105-92 and clinch prime seeding all through the NBA playoffs on Thursday (AEST).
Bobby Portis scored 27 factors, together with six three-pointers, whereas Brook Lopez added 26 factors, because the Bucks bagged their 58th win of the season to seal prime spot within the Eastern Conference.
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The win means Milwaukee could have residence court docket benefit by means of the playoffs as homeowners of the very best report within the league this season.
With Antetokounmpo rested, Milwaukee demonstrated their power in depth with a balanced offensive show.
Point guard Jrue Holiday took on the playmaking obligations, with 15 assists and eight rebounds along with a 20-point haul, whereas Jevon Carter added 16 factors.
Milwaukee’s offence turned the sport round within the third quarter, reworking a 61-51 deficit with a 15-0 run that put the Bucks right into a 66-61 lead.
The solely blemish on the night for Mike Budenholzer’s facet was an damage scare to Khris Middleton, who departed after lower than 9 minutes on court docket with a knee downside.
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Wednesday’s victory, nevertheless, means the Bucks can relaxation their entrance line gamers by means of the ultimate two video games of the common season, which wraps up on Sunday earlier than the playoffs get underneath manner on April 15.
“Obviously, over an 82-game season there’s going to be highs and lows, there’s going to be times when you struggle and times when you’re hot,” Portis mentioned after the win.
“But staying together, building our habits on a daily basis, building our chemistry has been key, and hopefully we can take that into the postseason,” he added.
The identification of Milwaukee’s first spherical opponents within the playoffs won’t be decided till the completion of subsequent week’s play-in event.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics clinched second seeding within the Eastern Conference with a 97-93 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Malcolm Brogdon led the scoring for the Celtics with 29 factors, whereas Jaylen Brown added 25.
Boston’s victory ensured that the Philadelphia 76ers will end third within the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers are poised to face the Brooklyn Nets within the first spherical of the postseason. The Nets all however assured sixth place with a 123-108 win over Detroit on Wednesday.
The New York Knicks additionally loved an enormous win over the Indiana Pacers by attaining an epic 44-year first within the victory.
For the primary time since 1979, the Knicks had three stars chalk up 30 factors or extra within the one sport as they marched to a fifth straight victory.
FULL RESULTS
Pacers 129-138 Knicks
Pistons 108-123 Nets
Hawks 134-116 Wizards
Bucks 105-92 Bulls
Celtics 97-93 Raptors
Pelicans 138-131 Grizzlies
Mavericks 123-119 Kings
Clippers v Lakers
