By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
As the NBA regular season approaches its end, Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Milwaukee Bucks (45-25) to a powerful 142-133 win over the short-handed Indiana Pacers (33-37).
The Greek Freak posted 40 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the Bucks, while on the other end of the court, Domantas Sabonis had 10 points, 14 assists for the Pacers.
“I just feel so much adrenaline, and I’ve got to let it out. (But) I’m trying to save as much energy as I can”, Giannis told reporters after the win, about his six dunks in the game.
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 27 points to pace the Atlanta Hawks (40-31) to a 116-93 win over the Orlando Magic (21-49), a day after they clinched their first playoffs ticket since the 2016-17 season. Clint Capela added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Hawks.
Nikola Jokic scored 16 of his 31 points in the first quarter and the Denver Nuggets (46-24) took control to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-48) 114-103. Facu Campazzo left the court with 6 points, 9 assists in 33 minutes, while on the other end of the court, Ricky Rubio posted 6 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the Grizzlies in 28 minutes.
Nicolas Batum had 11 points coming from the bench and Ivica Zubac posted 8 points and 11 rebounds as the LA Clippers (47-23) got the job done over the Charlotte Hornets (33-37).
Goran Dragic helped the Miami Heat (39-31) overcome the Philadelphia 76ers (47-23) with a 106-94 win, to remain 5th in the Eastern Conference. Dragic posted 15 points coming from the bench, while Furkan Korkmaz left the court with 3 points for the Sixers.
Lauri Markkanen posted 20 points and Nikola Vucevic left the court with 16 points and 16 rebounds, as the Chicago Bulls (30-40) beat the short-handed Toronto Raptors (27-43) 114-102, to pull within two games of Washington Wizards with two remaining for 10th place in the Eastern Conference and the final play-in spot.
Jonas Valanciunas had a key performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies (37-33) overcame the Sacramento Kings (31-39) and now the stage is set to face Golden State Warriors on Sunday, with which they have an identical record. Even if the Warriors enter the game with a one-game lead, a win by Memphis on Sunday would give the Grizzlies the tiebreaker.
The Phoenix Suns (49-21) held on to beat Portland Trail Blazers (41-30) with a 118-117 win to conclude Thursday’s action. Dario Saric had 12 points, 5 rebounds for the short-staffed Suns and Jusuf Nurkic posted 7 points, 8 rebounds for the Trail Blazers.
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