The Suns, winners of the Sixers (114-104) in the blockbuster of the day, with a Devin Booker / Joel Embiid duel which burst the screen, and the Celtics who took the opportunity to become leaders in the East, were rewarded at the NBA Oscars on Sunday.
Already guaranteed to finish with the best record of the regular season, which will give it the advantage of the floor in each round of the play-offs, Phoenix does not ease off. Especially not when challenging another title contender like Philadelphia.
Led by 15 lengths in the 2nd quarter, the Suns accelerated in the second half, their collective making the difference, since Booker and Embiid muzzled from a distance, the first finishing with 35 points, the second with 37 (15 rebounds, 3 interceptions, 2 blocks).
James Harden (14 pts, at 2/11, 9 assists) was contained and Philly lacked additional impact in attack. Quite the opposite of Phoenix, who was able to count on his “godfather of money-time» Chris Paul (19 pts, 14 passes).
«They’re the best team in the league for a reason. They have a group of great players who play well together. They are connected offensively and defensively, they do not let themselves be shaken“, greeted Embiid, who is aiming for the Oscar for best player of the season (MVP).
With this 8th success in a row, the Suns radiate to the West where Golden State (3rd) is still struggling, after a 4th loss in five games conceded to Washington (123-115), despite 25 points from Klay Thompson.
Philadelphia drops to 4th place in the East, a conference dominated for the first time this season by Boston, which is having an excellent first quarter for a team stuck in 9th place at Christmas.
Lakers and danger
The clear victory (134-112) against Minnesota (7th in the West), the 24th in 28 games, the Celtics owe it in particular to Jayson Tatum (34 pts) and Jaylen Brown (31 pts, 10 rebounds), ruthless duo currently .
With seven, eight games still to play in the regular season, the fight for first place will be played out to the bitter end, with four teams standing in a pocket handkerchief, Miami (2nd) and Milwaukee (3rd) completing the photograph of the day.
Almost certain to have to go through the play-offs to access the play-offs, the Nets missed the opportunity to take a break against the Hornets, winners in Brooklyn (119-110).
Charlotte thus spoiled the return to the Barclays Center of Kyrie Irving, again authorized to play in New York, although not vaccinated against Covid-19, and who did not shine (16 pts, at 6/22, 11 assists ).
It was LaMelo Ball (33 pts, 9 assists, 7 rebounds), Oscar for best hope last year (rookie of the 2021 season) who stole the show from Irving and Kevin Durant (27 pts, 8 rebounds, 7 assists ).
Here are the Hornets 8th just ahead of the Nets (9th) with the same record (39-36).
In the West, Dallas also did a good job by winning (114-100) against Utah to snatch 4th place, which will count when you may find yourself in the play-offs, for the advantage. parquet. Luka Doncic (32 pts, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) was once again in the spotlight.
Finally, despite the return of King LeBron James (39 pts, 9 rebounds), who was nursing a recalcitrant knee, the Lakers lost to New Orleans (116-108).
A setback that drags them to 10th place, the Pelicans taking the opportunity to overtake them (9th). LA, pressed by San Antonio (11th) for the last play-off place, will have to fight to avoid a trip to the end of hell.