Posted on April 2, 2023 at 7:30 a.m. – updated on April 2, 2023 at 8:16 a.m.
On the night of Saturday to Sunday, Miami returned to victory once morest Dallas (129-122), while New Orleans returned to a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers (122-114).
Decidedly, it does not work out for the Mavericks. While the Texas franchise had won only three of its last ten games, Dallas suffered another defeat last night once morest Miami (129-122). In Florida, if Luka Doncic has once once more shone, the defense of Jason Kidd’s team has once once more missed its match. Indeed, despite the huge match of the Slovenian star, author of 42 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, the Mavericks never really existed once morest the Heat, however deprived of Bam Adebayo and who ideally started in his room with a 44-31 in the first twelve minutes. Afterwards, Jimmy Butler (35 points and 12 assists) and his team managed their lead to end a three-game losing streak, despite an inspired Tim Hardaway Jr. opposite (31 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists). Following this 41st victory this season in 78 games, Miami remains within reach of the Brooklyn Nets in the fight for 6th place in the Eastern Conference, synonymous with direct qualification for the playoffs. On his side, Dallas is 11th in the West and will have to finish very strong to participate in the play-in… To a success of Oklahoma City Thunder (10th), the Mavericks will imperatively have to react this Sunday once morest the Atlanta Hawks.
The Pelicans are closing in on the top 6 in the West
In the other meeting of the night in the NBA, the good operation of the day is to the credit of the Pelicans. In fact, at home New Orleans had the last word once morest the Los Angeles Clippers (122-114) and can still hope to participate in the playoffs without going through the play-in. At the Smoothie King Center, if the franchise of Kawhi Leonard, author of one of its biggest games of the season (40 points and 8 rebounds), started well (31-21), the reaction of the locals did not drag , who were only one point behind at the break (55-56). Subsequently, driven in particular by Brandon Ingram (36 points and 8 assists) and Jonas Valanciunas (23 points and 12 rebounds), New Orleans was able to gradually make the difference once morest the Clippers, and in particular during the fourth quarter (31- 24). Still deprived of Paul George, the latter had more difficulty, only Russell Westbrook (24 points and 9 rebounds) being at the level to help Leonard. With this 40th success this season, the Pelicans (7th) therefore return to a victory for their evening opponent, now 6th, and have also recovered the “tie-breaker” once morest them in the event of a tie. The race for the playoffs is therefore likely to be rich in twists and turns in the coming days in the West. Beaten twice in two days, the Los Angeles Clippers now have an appointment Thursday with the Lakers for a derby that promises to be boiling!
BASKET – NBA / REGULATE THE SEASON
Saturday April 1, 2023
Miami Heat – Dallas Mavericks : 129-122
New Orleans Pelicans – Los Angeles Clippers : 122-114
