Los Angeles (AFP)

The duel "angelino" Lakers-Clippers postponed after the death of Kobe Bryant, it is in the East that lessons were learned from Tuesday evening in the NBA, where behind the irresistible leader Milwaukee, points a little more the muzzle Raptors.

. In memoriam Kobe

The Staples Center was to be hot this Tuesday evening for the third "battle of LA". But Bryant's death covered him with the veil of mourning, causing his postponement. Instead, the famous program "NBA ON TNT" took place there, which exceptionally placed its tray on the floor for a tribute to Bryant.

Host Ernie Johnson Jr., his usually jokey consultants Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, as well as Steve Nash and Dwyane Wade, spoke forcefully about his memory with personal anecdotes, lending the best they could to also to make you smile, after the sentences expressed these last hours.

O'Neal couldn't help but cry: "I haven't had such deep pain in a while." Another Laker legend, Jerry West, who chose Bryant in the 1996 draft, was also poignant, saying: "His death was the saddest day of my life, I don't know if I'm going to recover" .

. Bucks records without Giannis

Without Giannis Antetokounmpo spared (shoulder), Milwaukee had no trouble defeating Washington (151-131) in a match where the defenses were in "Gruyere" mode. Khris Middleton took the opportunity to pass 51 points, personal best (10 rbds, 6 assists). Eric Bledsoe added 34 points and 10 assists.

With this 9th success in a row, the Bucks, who scored 88 points in the first period (franchise record), remain ultra dominators in the East (41-6).

Washington, where Bradley Beal has still hit (47 pts) slips to 12th place.

. Boston beats Miami, Toronto benefits

In the fight for 2nd place in the East, the Raptors did the right thing, their victory against Atlanta (130-114) combined with the Heat's defeat against the Celtics (109-101).

Gordon Hayward (29 pts, 9 rbds) and Jaylen Brown (25 pts, 5 assists) were successful in attack, for excellent C's in defense, who in fact took advantage of the Floridians' long-distance clumsiness (9/37) , usually more effective.

As a result of this third home loss, Miami, followed by Boston (4th), gave up the dolphin costume to Toronto, whose eighth win in a row owed a lot to their warriors Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka, 24 points each.

. Embiid successfully returns

Returning after missing nine games to heal a finger, Joel Embiid helped Philadelphia beat Golden State (115-104) with 24 points and 10 rebounds. 24 as the number that he and half of the team wore, the other half having put on 8, are the two digits of Bryant during his career.

A video was broadcast and a minute of silence was observed before the match, in the Wells Fargo Center where the "33" jersey worn by Kobe, a Philly native, was displayed when he was a high school student at Lower Merion High School.

With this second success in a row, the Sixers moved up to 5th place in the East.

. Denver and Dallas in the hard

Nuggets and Mavericks stalled, each losing a third loss in six games, respectively in Memphis (104-96) and against Phoenix (133-104).

That of Dallas (6th) is perhaps more "embarrassing", as the men of Rick Carlisle have passed through - except Luka Doncic (21 pts, 6 rbds) - sowing at three points (7/33) without really harvesting.

Rayon Suns (11th), Devin Booker (32 pts, 9 assists) and DeAndre Ayton (31 pts, 9rbds) enjoyed themselves.

In the Grizzlies (8th) worn by Jonas Valanciunas (23 pts, 12 rbds), Denver (4th), still deprived of Jamal Murray (ankle) and Paul Millsap (knee), just woke up too late after a slow start, despite Nikola Jokic (25 pts, 13 rbds).

The results of the North American Basketball Championship (NBA) after the matches played on Tuesday:

Miami - Boston 101 - 109

Dallas - Phoenix 104 - 133

Cleveland - New Orleans 111 - 125

Toronto - Atlanta 130 - 114

Memphis - Denver 104 - 96

Milwaukee - Washington 151 - 131

Charlotte - New York 97 - 92

Philadelphia - Golden State 115 - 104

© 2020 AFP