Los Angeles (AFP)

Miami has again shown the way, for who would like to outwit Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo, winning for the second time in as many confrontations, thanks to a defense in play-off mode which got the better of the leader in NBA, Monday.

. Milwaukee gets cold at the Heat

Less than 24 hours after getting rid of tough Hornets in Charlotte, Milwaukee was expected in Miami, finally off to a good start after his negative streak of seven losses in ten games in February. And the Wisconsin team was received as it should be, conceding a large defeat (105-89).

The Heat was as often very skilful at long distance (18/37) and its strategy aimed at closing the racket to Giannis Antetokounmpo worked perfectly, no one on the Bucks side managing to take over from the "Greek Freak" (the "Greek monster" "), who, rarely, took more rebounds (15) than he put points (13 to 6/18 on shots).

Like the MVP, rarely appeared in such difficulty, the rest of the team, Khris Middleton at the head (12 pts, 4/16), was in distress (40.7% success, 20.6% behind the arch).

"That's how we want to play all the time. Tonight is what we managed to do," said Heat leader Jimmy Butler (18 pts, 7 assists, 6 rbds). by evoking the best performance of his team this season on the defensive level.

Miami has indeed put the ingredients in physical engagement, while finding a collective drive, with six players having scored between 11 and 18 points. The Floridians consolidate their 4th place in the East, still largely dominated by the Bucks.

. Rockets fall from above

Houston, who remained on five victories, giving the impression of having found a bond in his game and solidified his defense, fell back into his faults with a conceded defeat (125-123) among Knicks anxious to finish as dignified as possible a nightmarish season.

The setback didn't take much, but Houston's wake up was too late, after falling 21 points in the third quarter. James Harden may have scored 35 points (8 assists), almost half were on free throws. Quite awkward, he finished 8/22 on shots including 3/13 behind the arc.

Russell Westbrook, the author of a huge dunk to close the gap to 121-119, missed the tying shot. He finished 24 points and 9 rebounds.

Under the eyes of their new president, former agent Leon Rose, the Knicks showed heart, like the rear RJ Barrett (27 pts) and Frank Ntilikina very useful out of the bench (11 pts, 4 passes, 2 interceptions).

With this 2nd success in a row, New York goes back to 13th place in the East. Houston remains 4th in the West.

. Utah continues, Dallas too

Contrasting courses: the Jazz gleaned a second success in a row in Cleveland (126-113), while the Mavericks conceded a second straight loss in Chicago (109-107).

Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic (28 pts) led Utah to success, well helped by Rudy Gobert author of 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks in a well controlled match. Jazz remains 5th in the West, but more than a victory for Houston.

The Grizzlies securely keep the last sesame in the West for the play-offs, coveted by Portland (9th), winner in Orlando (130-107) with 41 points from CJ McCollum. San Antonio defeated at home by Indiana (116-111) moves away (12th).

Deprived of Kristaps Porzingis and Seth Curry, Dallas lacked offensive solutions to win in Chicago, as it was seen late in the game, with several possessions wasted. Luka Doncic, back from injury (inch), did what he could, but his 23 points and 9 assists (5 rbds) did not weigh enough to prevent the defeat of his team (109-107).

Result, the Mavs remain 7th in the West, with a still fairly comfortable lead over Memphis, easy winner in Atlanta (127-88).

The Grizzlies securely keep the last sesame in the West for the play-offs, coveted by Portland (9th), winner in Orlando (130-107) with 41 points from CJ McCollum. San Antonio defeated at home by Indiana (116-111) moves away (12th).

© 2020 AFP