Once again, Giannis Antetokounmpo shined with 31 points for the Bucks, who are closing in on their all-time winning streak: 18 in the 2019-20 season, a figure only one team has reached since, the Phoenix Suns last season.

Now dolphins of the Bucks, the Celtics have had to whip to overcome the Cavaliers.

The Cleveland team, fourth in the Conference, gave up only four points 117-113.

Fortunately, the Celtics were able to count on a found Jayson Tatum, who scored 41 points.

It's the ninth time this season that the Boston winger has reached or exceeded 40 points in a game.

But the best scorer of this meeting at the top of the evening is in the ranks of the Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell, with 44 points.

Interspersed in third place between Boston and Cleveland, the Philadelphia Sixers went to inflict a severe defeat on the Miami Heat 119-96.

Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns arms his shot against the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA on March 1, 2023 in Charlotte © Jacob Kupferman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In the New York derby, the Knicks, who follow in the standings in this Conference in fifth place, provided the show against the Brooklyn Nets, who they beat 142-118 in Madison Square Garden, thus signing their seventh success in in a row.

Jalen Brunson, the game's leading scorer, scored 30 of his 39 points in a first half at the end of which the Knicks already had a 24-point lead (81-57).

Durant's smooth debut at the Suns

In the other Conference, in the West, Kevin Durant, the ex-star of the Brooklyn Nets, made a satisfactory debut in his new Phoenix Suns jersey.

As part of a 105-91 victorious team in Charlotte, whose five-game winning streak came to an end, Durant, spared, scored 23 points in 27 minutes of play, returning ten of his 15 shots including two of four at three points.

The American, three-time Olympic champion, joined the Suns almost a month ago, but had not yet played in his new colors because of a ligament injury in his knee.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics outflanks Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA game between the two teams on March 1, 2023 at TD Garden in Boston © Winslow Townson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

"I played nearly 1,000 basketball games, but today I was nervous," admitted Kevin Durant.

"But my teammates have been amazing, making me feel comfortable."

"My knee is better, and I'm going to play more and more," Durant reassured about his injury.

The debut of one of the big stars of the League in his new team has somewhat obscured the performance of Devin Booker, author of 37 points for the Suns, firmly anchored in fourth place in the Western Conference.

In this Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers, without their star LeBron James, on the flank because of a foot injury, managed to beat the Oklahoma Thunder 123-117.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks attempts a basket against Nic Claxton and Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA on March 1, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York © ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

But they do not nibble on their delay on the New Orleans Pelicans, tenth and barrage for accession to the play-offs, who beat the Trail Blazers 121-110 in Portland, carried by an inspired Brandon Ingram (40 points), in making the difference in the last quarter.

© 2023 AFP