The slow and inexorable decline of the 2020 champion, who nevertheless aimed for nothing other than the reconquest of the title at the start of the championship, with the recruitment of Russell Westbrook, to form a "Big 3" alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, therefore resulted in their pitiful elimination.

For it to be recorded, they had to concede a seventh consecutive defeat at the Suns, combined with a victory for the Spurs at the Nuggets.

This scenario came true, in the absence of LeBron James, package because insufficiently recovered from a sprained left ankle.

LA only deceived in the first period, despite the efforts of Davis (21 pts, 13 rbds) and Westbrook (28 pts), after which the championship leader accelerated in the wake of Devin Booker (32 pts) and DeAndre Ayton (22 pts, 13 rebounds), with a 63rd victory this season, a new franchise record.

Last Friday, James had made believe that his end of the season had come and given an appointment in the fall.

His joke of April 1 will finally have had only four days in advance to become reality.

He is not in the play-offs for the 4th time in his career in 19 seasons, punctuated by 10 finals and four coronations.

Gobert qualifies the Jazz

Earlier, the Spurs had put pressure on the Lakers, winning at the Nuggets, required to do the same to ensure their direct qualification in the play-offs.

With Keldon Johnson (20 pts, 8 rebounds) and five other players between 13 and 20 units, Gregg Popovich's team did not contain Nikola Jokic (41 pts, 17 rebounds), but as the Serb was too alone. .

Denver fell to 6th place, in favor of Utah (5th), which validated its ticket for the play-offs by defeating Memphis (2nd), after extra time (121-115).

The Jazz was able to count on Rudy Gobert (22 pts, 21 rebounds) in overtime, since the Frenchman, ultra-dominant in the racket, scored five of his team's eleven points.

Rudy Gobert, decisive for the Utah Jazz in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, "Gobzilla" here March 31, 2022 in Salt Lake City.

Alex Goodlett GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In the East, Miami recorded a fifth success in a row against Charlotte (144-115) to consolidate its first place in the East.

The Heat made fireworks from long distance (23/42), thanks in particular to Tyler Herro (6/10, 35 pts) and Duncan Robinson (7/11, 21 pts).

One more victory and the 2020 finalist will be guaranteed to be seeded N.1.

Boston (2nd), Milwaukee (3rd), winner in Chicago (127-106), and Philadelphia (4th), which won in Indiana (131-122), can still decide otherwise, but their chances are slim.

Imperial embiid

In the meantime, the Sixers could still count on Joel Embiid, imperial in the racket (45 pts, 13 rebounds).

The Cameroonian, who is seeking the MVP trophy, took the opportunity to overtake LeBron James in first place among the league's top scorers (30.4 pts against 30.3).

Joel Embiid who covets the MVP accolade piled up 45 points for the Philadelphia Sixers against the Indiana Pacers, the Cameroonian here on April 2, 2022. Tim Nwachukwu GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

The Bucks have returned to success (127-106 in Chicago), after two consecutive defeats, thanks to Brook Lopez (28 pts) who is getting better and better after a back injury.

Giannis Antetokounmpo did not have to force (18 pts, 9 rebounds, 7 assists).

DeMar Derozan shone in vain (40 pts) for the Bulls (6th) nevertheless assured of direct accession to the play-offs, thanks to the surprise setback (120-115) from Cleveland (7th) at the red lantern Orlando.

Toronto (5th) also qualified, beating (118-108) Atlanta, at the same time condemned to go through dams.

Pascal Siakam (31 pts, 13 rebounds) was the strong man of the Raptors, who are on 12th success in 16 matches.

Despite Trae Young (26 pts, 15 assists), the Hawks saw their five-game winning streak come to an end and slipped to 9th place, overtaken by Brooklyn, who beat Houston (118-105), thanks to 42 points from Kyrie Irving.

The 8th place, currently occupied by the Nets, is expensive because it assures its owner of the advantage of the floor in the event of a second chance in "play-in".

© 2022 AFP