The record champions clinched a 134-112 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and also benefited from the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Phoenix Suns in the top game of the day. The Suns extended their winning streak to eight and remain the undisputed best team in the league, while the 76ers slipped from first in the East to fourth with a 104-114. The Miami Heat and defending champion Milwaukee Bucks are now in front of the 76ers, which Joel Embiid’s 37 points were not enough for.
The Los Angeles Lakers, with 17 championships like the Celtics record holders in the best basketball league in the world, meanwhile suffered another major setback. LeBron James’ team lost against the New Orleans Pelicans by 108:116 despite a 20-point lead at the break and slipped back to tenth place in the table behind the Pelicans. Should the direct comparison with the Pelicans decide in the fight for the playoff spots, the Lakers will also be inferior there. From eleventh place, there is no longer a chance of participating in the playoffs via qualification.
The Dallas Mavericks climbed to fourth in the Western Conference with a 114-100 win over the Utah Jazz. Third are the Golden State Warriors, who lost five of their last ten games by beating the Washington Wizards 115:123.
Source: dpa