Los Angeles (AFP)

The Sixers, who overthrew the Pelicans thanks to Joel Embiid, are almost guaranteed to finish first in the East in the NBA, where the defending champions Lakers are now play-offs, after their loss in Portland.

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Philly and Embiid tear up

"MVP !, MVP!": The public of the Wells Fargo Center did not fail to plead in favor of its Cameroonian star, candidate for the trophy of best player of the season and determining in the close success at the expense of New Orleans (109-107), the seventh in a row.

His two free throws to get back to a point and his defensive rebound which led to the basket of victory for Tobias Harris (17 pts), just over a minute from time, improved an evening during which he already had good out of the game (37 pts, 13 rebounds).

For the Pelicans (11th), deprived of Zion Williamson for an indefinite period (broken finger), this setback seriously compromises their hopes of hanging the dams in the West.

The 76ers now have three wins better than Brooklyn and Milwaukee.

Because the Bucks (2nd) took the opportunity to overtake the Nets (3rd), thanks to their victory over Houston (141-133).

The five major finished between 17 and 24 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo (11 rebounds, 7 assists) being for once the least prolific.

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Portland sinks the Lakers

The scenario so feared by Los Angeles, still deprived of LeBron James (ankle), of having to go through dams to play the play-offs took a concrete turn in Portland, winner of their duel (106-100) to steal the 6th place.

The Blazers were able to count on Damian Lillard (38 pts, 7 assists), as often present in major meetings.

Opposite, Anthony Davis also shone (36 pts, 12 rebounds), but in vain.

The urgency point for the Lakers if they want to overtake Portland, five games from the end of the regular season, with the reception of Phoenix from Sunday which promises to be complicated.

Especially since 5th place moves away, Dallas having consolidated its position by beating (110-90) Cleveland.

In a match folded at half-time with a 25-point lead, Luka Doncic settled for 24 units (8 rebounds) in 23 minutes and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20.

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The good deal for Miami

The crossover also continues to the East in the fight for 6th place, the Heat, winner of Minnesota (121-112), overtaking Boston (7th), corrected in Chicago (121-99).

The Floridians were able to count on Tyler Herro (27 pts, 10/13 on shots) and Jimmy Butler still as versatile (25 pts, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 interceptions).

They will have the opportunity to take a break on Sunday in Boston against the C's, which did not exist among the Bulls carried by Zach LaVine and Coby White (25 points each).

For his reunion with Evan Fournier (17 pts, 6 rebounds), his ex-teammate from Orlando, Nikola Vucevic managed a triple-double (18 pts, 14 rebounds, 10 assists).

Charlotte for her part almost assured her 8th place by beating the Magic (122-112), thanks to Terry Rozier (28 pts, 6 assists) and LaMelo Ball (27 pts, 6 assists).

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Utah thanks Bogdanovic

The Jazz won a 4th success (127-120) in a row against Denver, to consolidate its domination in the West, and owes it mainly to the masterful performance of Bojan Bogdanovic, author of 48 points (16/23 on shots, 8 rbds), personal record broken.

The match, long undecided, was decided in the money-time, when Utah took the lead, also thanks to Jordan Clarkson (21 pts) and the defense around Rudy Gobert (14 pts, 9 rebounds, 2 against ) which prevented the Nuggets (4th) from scoring for six minutes.

Nikola Jokic (24 pts, 13 rebounds) and Michael Porter Jr (31 pts) have yet not unworthy.

Utah retains its victory ahead of Phoenix, who took two quarters to take the measure of New York, leading seven lengths at the break and finally beaten (126-105).

The Suns made a collective show of strength with six players between 15 and 26 points, the palm going to DeAndre Ayton (15 rebounds), despite Julius Randle (24 pts, 11 rebounds) in front.

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