The Celtics led by 19 points in the second quarter. If Jaylen Brown was present with 25 points, Jayson Tatum scored only 15 points in 39 minutes.

On the Jazz side, Talen Horton-Tucker confirmed his very good form of the moment with 19 points and seven rebounds. But it was teammate Lauri Markkanen who dominated the proceedings with 28 points and ten rebounds.

Now second in the East ahead of the Celtics, the Philadelphia Sixers, who have two games less, still need a win to win the precious sesame, after obtaining an eighth consecutive victory by winning (141-121) against the Indiana Pacers.

Sixers star Joel Embiid responded with 31 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Partner Tyrese Maxey also scored 31 points.

So it was Miami's loss to the Bulls that allowed the Boston Celtics to qualify for the playoffs before they even hit the court in Salt Lake City.

DeMar DeRozan (24 pts, ten assists) was decisive for Chicago, well supported by Coby White (18 pts), Zach LaVine (18 pts) and Patrick Beverley (17 pts).

A record Fultz

On the Heat side, the contribution of Jimmy Butler (24 pts) and Bam Adebayo (23 pts) was not enough.

Author of 24 points, Jalen Brunson, back from injury, led the New York Knicks to a victory (116-110) against Denver, leader of the Western Conference, which lost for the fifth time in six games.

A foot injury had limited the point guard to just one appearance in the Knicks' last six games.

Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on February 13, 2023 © Michael Reaves/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

"I was a bit worried before the game, but everything went according to plan. I didn't feel anything, so I kept playing," Brunson explained.

Serbia's Nikola Jokic, the two-time regular-season MVP, finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but he also made an unusual number of errors.

Markelle Fultz scored a career-high 28 points and Wendell Carter Jr. added 27 points and 12 rebounds in the Orlando Magic's 113-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, without injured Kawhi Leonard.

Jamahl Mosley, the Magic's coach, was full of praise for Fultz, who overcame serious injuries during his career. "I'm so proud of this young man, just for the fact of everything he's constantly endured," he said.

Morant returns soon

"You can ignore the numbers, the way he plays, the passion he has for his teammates. No matter what it takes to win, he's going to try to do it and I think that's what's so special about him and how his teammates feel about him," Mosley said of the 24-year-old point guard.

Paul George scored 30 points for the Clippers, who were on a four-game winning streak.

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors 133-119 at home, beaten for the 11th straight away from home.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points and Desmond Bane 26 points for Memphis in this home game against the defending champions that was the last of Ja Morant's suspension, after the case of the video showing him brandishing a gun in a strip club.

Without its star, Memphis posted its fourth win in the last five games.

Morant is available to face Dallas on Monday, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Wednesday's game against the Rockets is a more realistic return date.

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins during the game against the San Antonio Spurs, in San Antonio, March 17, 2023 © Ronald Cortes/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

"There is a good chance that he will be absent for Monday's game, as it will be his first day back with the team," he said.

© 2023 AFP