A modest round of five games took place tonight (between Tuesday and Wednesday) in the NBA.
The battle for the top of the Eastern Conference between Milwaukee and Boston ended with a narrow victory for the Bucks, Devin Booker heated up the handle in Phoenix's victory over Sacramento and at this time the Clippers are hosting the Warriors for another intriguing game.
Tonight's games:
Toronto (31:28) - Orlando (35:24) 113:123
Milwaukee (17:40) - Boston (17:41) 125:131 (after overtime)
Phoenix (27:32) - Sacramento (25: 32) 109:120
LA
Clippers (28:31) - Golden State (28:29) not yet finished
Portland (29:28) - Washington (30:26) not yet finished
Tied a career high.
Jero Holiday (Photo: Reuters)
Milwaukee (5:40 p.m.) - Boston (5:41 p.m.) 125:131 (after overtime)
The bottom line of the game: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates continue to race with 11 consecutive wins, closing the gap from the Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference to just half a game.
But the subtext is a bit more complex than that.
Boston showed up for the game with a patchwork roster, without Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and in fact with only one regular five player - yet managed to stretch the hottest team in the league and make them work very hard to win.
Sam Hauser sniped a big three-pointer three seconds to the end of legal time that forced overtime, but there the energies of Yanis and especially of Jaro Holiday, decided the game in favor of the Bucks.
Holiday, the freshman All-Star returning to the traditional All-Star Game after a decade, tied a career high with 40 points, including a decisive 3-pointer 25 seconds into overtime that gave Milwaukee the lead.
Antetokounmpo also had to step up with 36 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists on the way to the narrow victory.
On the other hand, Derek White continued his wonderful form in the second quarter, finishing with 27 points and 12 assists.
Malcolm Brogdon added 26 off the bench and Boston did stop after four consecutive wins - but it is possible that she comes out of this game very encouraged.
Phoenix (27:32) - Sacramento (25:32) 109:120
Phoenix continues to wait for the injured Kevin Durant, and meanwhile sees Devin Booker removing rust and slowly coming back to himself.
The guard had his best game since returning from injury, and with 32 points he led the Suns to their fifth win in six games, leaving them just one game behind the Kings, who are ranked fourth in the Western Conference.
DeAndre Ayton added 29 and 11 rebounds, Chris Paul had 17 and a season-high 19 assists, and on the other hand, 35 from Dearon Fox and 24, 15 rebounds and 7 assists from Domantas Sabonis did not prevent a second loss in three games.
The three stars next to him are starting to heat up.
Durant enjoying the bench (Photo: Reuters)
Toronto (31:28) - Orlando (35:24) 113:123
Fifth win in six games for the improving Raptors, who did their best offensively, set a season high with 60 percent from the field and enjoyed 30 points from newcomer Jacob Flatel, and 26 by Pascal Siakam.
Scotty Barnes added 17 and Fred VanVleet led the way with 10 and a career-high 15 assists.
It was enough against 26 points from Wendell Carter Jr. and 24 from Jaylen Suggs, who failed to prevent the Magic from losing after three consecutive road wins.
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NBA
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Milwaukee Bucks
Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers