Guillaume MARION, Media365, published on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 8:15 a.m.
On the night of Friday to Saturday, while Atlanta narrowly avoided being led 3-0 by Miami (111-110), Milwaukee and Phoenix went to win respectively in Chicago (81-111) and New Orleans (111-114) to regain control in their series (2-1).
At the State Farm Arena, Atlanta has been very hot but remains alive. Indeed, led 2-0 by Miami, the Hawks managed to get away with nothing tonight (111-110) and therefore return to 2-1 in this series. For this, Nate McMillan’s team was once once more able to count on a decisive Trae Young (24 points and 8 assists) at the end, he who scored the winning basket four seconds from the buzzer. Before that, the Floridians had to work to stay within reach of the premises (61-54 at the break). After a very good third quarter (won 31-16), Jimmy Butler (20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists) may have thought they had done the hardest part but cracked at the end and missed a great opportunity to hit a big shot. The band of Erik Spoelstra, who saw Tyler Herro finish top scorer (24 points and 7 rebounds), will now have to recover so as not to revive Atlanta.
The Bucks recover with style
Forced to react following dropping a match on their land, the defending champions ensured. At the United Center, Milwaukee largely dominated Chicago overnight from Friday to Saturday (81-111) and regained control in this series (2-1). It was thanks to a superb start (33-17) that the Bucks took the lead in this meeting and then managed their lead, before finally overcoming the Bulls in the third quarter (30-18). Surprised at home in game 2 (110-114), Giannis Antetokounmpo’s franchise (18 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists) reacted perfectly to come back in front, despite the absence of Khris Middleton. For this, Grayson Allen (22 points) had an important role, finishing top scorer in this third duel between the two teams. Impressive a few days ago (41 points), Demar DeRozan was much more discreet this time (11 points).
The Suns ensure without Booker
In the hard, Phoenix has at least found a smile. While they remained on a defeat (114-125) and thatthey had also lost Devin Booker to injury, the Suns indeed had the last word in New Orleans (111-114). After twelve balanced first minutes (29-28), the Pelicans saw their opponents end the first period well (19-31), but then knew how to react during the third quarter (31-22) to come back to two lengths (79-81). In the end, it was through experience that the franchise led by Monty Williams got away with it, thanks in particular to a collective at the rendezvous. So, if Brandon Ingram (34 points and 7 rebounds) and CJ McCollum (30 points and 7 assists) were strong for the locals at the Smoothie King Center, Phoenix responded through including Deandre Ayton (28 points and 17 rebounds) and Chris Paul (28 points and 13 assists). Without their star, the Suns therefore return to the lead in this series (2-1).
BASKET – NBA / PLAY-OFFS
Friday, April 22, 2022
Atlanta Hawks – Miami Heat : 111-110 >>> The Heat lead 2-1 in the series
Chicago Bulls – Milwaukee Bucks : 81-111 >>> The Bucks lead 2-1 in the series
New Orleans Pelicans – Phoenix Suns : 111-114 >>> The Suns lead 2-1 in the series
