The Kings, brave and guided by Domantas Sabonis in triple-double mode (23 pts, 17 rebounds, 15 assists), had a 15-point lead in the first period.

Then the "Greek" (the Greek) became "Freak" (monstrous), scoring 19 points in nine minutes in the third quarter alone.

As imposing as he is skilful (19/28 on shots, 12 rebounds), the double MVP (2019, 2020), who was making his comeback after three missed matches, boosted the return of the Bucks who scored no less than 80 points in second period, also thanks to the substantial contribution of Khris Middleton (30 pts, 9 assists).

Sacramento, which vainly tried to hang on, in the wake of DeAaron Fox (35 pts), gives up its second place in the East to Memphis, winner (104-88) in Dallas.

The Grizzlies collective, even deprived of Ja Morant dismissed indefinitely for having brandished a weapon in a strip club, had a completely different thickness than that of the Mavs, without Lukla Doncic and Kyrie Irving (8th).

With this 20th victory in 22 games, Milwaukee, champion in 2021, asserts its dominance in the East a little more, especially as its runner-up Boston, surprise of the day, conceded its fourth defeat in six games in Houston, at the last in the Western Conference (111-109), despite 43 points from Jaylen Brown.

Jayson Tatum, he spent a difficult evening, weighed down by a failing address (8/22 including 2/10 behind the arc) until this double-step missed at the last second, to try to snatch the extension.

De'Aaron Fox (#5), in a precarious shooting position, facing Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34), during an NBA game between the Kings and Bucks, March 13, 2023 in Sacramento © Thearon W. Henderson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

The Heat still in the snatch

The Rockets, not very often at the party this season, were guided by Jalen Green (30 pts), N.2 of the 2021 draft, and Jabari Smith Jr (24 pts, 12 rebounds).

The Heat, for its part, won by a short header at the expense of the Jazz (119-115), which often happens to it, since it is the 24th victory recorded by five points or less this season.

Jimmy Butler during a Miami Heat NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 10, 2023 in Miami © AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

Jimmy Butler was the most prolific (24 pts) of the seven Heat players (7th) who scored at least 10 points.

On the Utah side, 13th, which sees the qualifying play-offs area for the play-offs, Lauri Markkannen distinguished himself in vain by scoring 38 points.

Just like Klay Thompson, but with the bonus victory of the Warriors against the Suns, as convincing as the previous one after overtime against the Bucks, rewarding the progress made by the outgoing champion 5th behind his victim of the evening.

The shooter was 8/12 from long range at the break, in time to break his own record for award-winning banderillas in a game (14), but the Phoenix players took out the barbed wire in the final two quarters to prevent it from getting any worse.

"There will be low moments, I would like to score 33 points in each half, but I'm much happier with the victory," said Thompson, who was sidelined for two and a half years due to serious wounds, but still capable of catching fire.

Klay Thompson shooting during the Golden State Warriors' victory over the Phoenix Suns on March 13, 2023 in San Francisco © EZRA SHAW / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In the wake of Devin Booker (32 pts), the Suns even reduced the gap to two points after being 25 behind, but Golden State found a second wind, thanks to Stephen Curry (23 pts) and Jordan Poole (20 pts).

© 2023 AFP