The Toronto Raptors have taken a big step towards direct playoff qualification. The Canadians are now just one win away from a playoff spot. The New York Knicks win the top game against the Boston Celtics.
NBA: Raptors fifth again – Sixers lose without Embiid
The Miami Heat have lost the tenth of their last 13 games and are therefore likely to go into the play-in games in tenth place. The Toronto Raptors, on the other hand, are taking a big step towards direct playoff qualification and only need one more win to do so. Brandon Ingram excelled with 38 points (13/23 FG), seven rebounds and seven assists, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles delivered a perfect 17 points (7/7 FG, 3/3 FT) and eight rebounds coming off the bench.
The Canadians survived the third quarter, when Miami drained nine out of twelve threes (31:40), because Ingram was also accurate. Despite the visitors’ barrage of threes, the double-digit lead held up and Toronto did not let anything else get in its way. Bam Adebayo (24, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) was the most eye-catching player for Miami. As a team, they shot 56 percent from the field, but Toronto conceded just six turnovers (MIA: 15) and went to the free throw line 34 times (MIA: 8/14 FT).
The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, lost in Houston without Joel Embiid, who was in hospital. The Rockets led by as many as 28 points, but had to shake things up a little at the end. V.J. Edgecombe (21) brought the visitors back to within five points with 90 seconds remaining, before Kevin Durant (29, 10/18) calmed the Texans’ nerves with a three-pointer.
The Rockets thus remain in contention for fourth place against the Lakers, but only had limited glory to show for it. Philly, on the other hand, remain eighth in the East, with Tyrese Maxey (23, 9/20) and Quentin Grimes, who scored eleven of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, being the best performers.
NBA: Knicks beat Celtics
There was a bit of a top-of-the-table game in New York, where the Knicks kept their remaining chance of second place alive. Josh Hart scored 15 of his 26 points against the Boston Celtics in the final period, including two threes in the last 42 seconds that decided the game. Hart scored eight of the last nine points for the hosts.
Boston had to do without top scorer Jaylen Brown (Achilles tendon), with Jayson Tatum (24, 13 rebounds, 8 assists), Payton Pritchard (23) and the red-hot Baylor Scheierman (20, 6/7 3P) taking over the scoring. Meanwhile, all of New York’s starters scored in double figures, with Jalen Brunson (25, 10 assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (16, 12 rebounds) both recording double-doubles. Ariel Hukporti did not play.
The Los Angeles Lakers remain on course in the West even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. LeBron James (26 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists) flirted with a triple-double at the Golden State Warriors, while his son Bronny contributed ten points off the bench. In addition, all starters scored in double figures, including center Deandre Ayton (21, 9/11).
The Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry, had to concede after the break and the visitors’ lead grew to as many as 27 points. Brandin Podziemski and Nate Williams each scored 17 points, while new center Charles Bassey (12, 13 rebounds) was one of the bright spots for the Dubs. Maxi Kleber did not score a point in just over five minutes of action for the Lakers.
