Three weeks before the spring games, he felt good the play-offs this match between the outgoing champion and one of the most serious contenders for his succession, currently 3rd in the East.

The team in front of the score changed no less than 19 times, during this close duel that almost boils down to that between Embiid, still ultra-dominant (13/23 shooting, 9 rbds, 8 assists), unnecessarily sent to free throws (19/22), and all the Warriors, who in turn responded to his assaults, Jordan Poole emerging in the last quarter by managing 19 of his 33 points.

Stephen Curry was not to be outdone (29 pts, 8 rbds), scoring some crucial baskets in the final seconds, Klay Thompson bringing 21 more pawns.

And in the absence of James Harden (Achilles tendon), Tobias Harris (23 pts) and Tyrese Maxey (21 pts) have supported Embiid, who continues his month of March at a pace of potential MVP, since he averages 35 points.

Lakers breathe

Golden State seems to confirm its rise with this third success in a row, cementing its 6th place, the last directly qualifying for the playoffs, while approaching Phoenix (5th) defeated in Sacramento (135-127), despite 32 points from Devin Booker.

Led by 11 lengths at the break, the Kings (3rd) turned everything around in the third quarter (45-26) in the wake of Kevin Huerter (29 pts) and Domantas Sabonis (27 pts, 9 rbds, 9 assists).

Earlier, Ja Morant, again a substitute in his second appearance after his eight-game suspension for brandishing a gun in a strip club, did not force his talent (18 pts, 8/12 shooting, 8 assists), during the correction inflicted by Memphis in Houston.

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies faces Kevin Porter Jr. of the Houston Rockets during the NBA regular-season game between the two teams, on March 22, 2023 in Memphis © Justin Ford / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

The light was also rather on Luke Kennard (30 pts), author of an almost perfect 10/11 behind the arc (new franchise record).

In the fight for the playoffs, the Lakers made the right move of the day by defeating (116-111) Oklahoma City, one of their direct competitors. Anthony Davis (37 pts, 15 rbds) was instrumental for L.A. which remains 8th.

The Thunder are in 10th place, ahead of Dallas, which is going from bad to worse, beaten (117-109) by Charlotte, poorly ranked from the East already eliminated.

Dallas unscrews

A sixth loss in eight games hardly in line with the Mavs' heightened ambitions, since the arrival of Kyrie Irving in February. The latter was content with 18 points (9 rbds, 7 assists), weighing much less than Luka Doncic (34 pts, 10 rbds, 8 assists). As it stands, the duo they form ends with a negative record of three wins and seven losses.

Dennis Smith Jr. of the Charlotte Hornets in front of Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA regular-season game between the two teams, on March 24, 2023 in Dallas © Sam Hodde/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In the East, the leader Milwaukee made the java at the Jazz (144-116), making his collective speak, since the five starters scored between 17 and 25 points, the most prolific being, for once, Grayson Allen. Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't finish far (24 pts, 11 assists).

Boston (2nd) won for the fourth time in five games, rather easy (120-95) at the expense of Indiana. Jayson Tatum, who scored 34 points, set a new franchise record with his 40th game with at least 30 units this season, surpassing the legendary Larry Bird, who did it 39 times in the 1987-88 season.

Further down, Toronto (9th) relied on Pascal Siakam (32 pts) to dispose of the Pistons (118-97), in which Killian Hayes was a starter and rather active (6 pts, 7 assists, 5 rbds, 4 steals).

In 10th place, the last synonymous with playoffs, clings Chicago after its fourth victory in five games, against Portland (124-96), thanks in particular to Zach LaVine (33 pts).

© 2023 AFP