Orlando (United States) (AFP)

The Bucks, carried by the 66 points of the duo Giannis Antetokounmpo / Khris Middleton, reversed Thursday a compromised situation to defeat Miami (130-116), thus ensuring to finish in first place in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.

. Strong head milwaukee

Like last season, the Wisconsin team will be seeded No. 1 in the play-offs. A status which will have to be doubled this time of an accession in the finals, in order to record a progression.

In the meantime, the Bucks have taken the best of the Heat (4th), one of the underestimates not to be underestimated and that he could find in the conference semifinals, who nevertheless had up to 23 points in advance, despite the absences of Jimmy Butler (ankle) and Goran Dragic (foot).

Antetokounmpo and Middleton sounded the revolt in the second half, each scoring 33 points and contributing to the 18-0 inflicted on Miami in the money-time.

If the offensive potential of the Bucks was verified again at the best time, it was the tight defense shown by his players that pleased coach Mike Budenholzer. "Overall our attention to detail in this industry was better," he praised.

. Without James, Harden has fun

LeBron James, reduced by a pain in the groin, logically missed the Lakers against Houston, easy winner (113-97), in the wake of James Harden particularly successful with 39 points scored (11/19, 12 assists, 8 rebounds ).

The Rockets, now 4th, have always led, even though they were also deprived of their other star Russell Westbrook (thigh). But the desire was much more evident on their side than in LA already assured of being the No. 1 seed in the West and who kept some under the sole like Anthony Davis (17 pts, 12 rbds).

. The Clippers in full rehearsal

Little at stake between LA and Dallas, if not to gauge themselves before a probable reunion in the first round of the play-offs. And in this game, the 2nd in the West showed in the 7th that he was armed to finish the matches strong, winning (126-111) thanks in particular to four baskets with three points in the money-time remained no answer on the Texans side.

Kawhi Leonard (29 pts, 4/8 behind the arc) showed that he was slowly but surely increasing in power, well assisted by Paul George (24 pts, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and the pivot Ivica Zubac (21 pts, 15 rbds). So much so that Joakim Noah had to settle for crumbs with 2 rebounds captured in 2 minutes.

Opposite, Kristaps Porzingis confirmed his excellent provisions of the moment (30 pts, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) and Luka Doncic was just as present (29 pts, 6 assists). But as often in Dallas it is in defense that the shoe pinches.

. Portland is dam

As often in a match where the last minutes coincide with the "Dame-Time" - when Damian Lillard comes out of the shoots offering the victory -, the Blazers seem to be the fastest in the final sprint towards the dam in the West, as evidenced by their victory against Denver (125-115).

Portland consolidates its 9th place and even approaches the 8th occupied by Memphis, his probable opponent to validate the final ticket for the play-offs.

Lillard, often the man of decisive moments, therefore, was preponderant with 45 points scored, including 11 three-point baskets out of 18 attempted, and 12 assists delivered.

Behind the Blazers, no one saw Phoenix coming at the end of the regular season, but the Arizona team (10th), winner of their fourth game in a row at the expense of Indiana (114-99) is still in the race.

Two days after his superb basket for the buzzer victory against the Clippers, Devin Booker scored 20 points (10 assists) and DeAndre Ayton added 23 (10 rebounds). On the Pacers side, TJ Warren was less bleeding (16 pts, 11 rebounds) than in recent days (53 pts against the Sixers on Saturday).

New Orleans, on the other hand, burnt one of its last cartridges by losing to Sacramento (140-125), carried by Bogdan Bojanovic (35 pts, 6/9 at long distance) and D'Aron Fox (30 pts, 10 assists), and that goes back to its height in 12th place.

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