With the Suns’ victory (2-1), Group B in the Western Conference is wide open again, as the Lakers, Suns, and Spurs all stand at 2-1. The Suns benefitted from a significant win that improved their point differential, thanks in large part to the returning Kevin Durant (23 points, 9/17 FG) and Bradley Beal (23 points, 10/15 FG).
The standout performer for the Suns was Devin Booker, who dismantled the Lakers with 26 points and ten assists. In the third quarter, the All-Star scored eleven points, allowing the Suns to take that period 36-18. LeBron James was close to a triple-double for the visitors, finishing with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, the 39-year-old could never impose his influence on the game. Anthony Davis was the leading scorer for the Lakers with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Phoenix now needs to face San Antonio, who also took care of their business. For the fourth time this season, the Spurs defeated Utah, with Victor Wembanyama shining with 24 points (13/23 FG), seven rebounds, and three blocks. Although the Jazz led in the third quarter, they fell into a run from which they could not recover.
Alperen Sengün achieved a triple-double with 22 points (9/23 FG), ten rebounds, and eleven assists for the Rockets but missed a pivotal chance to seal the game at the end of regulation when he was cleared out while driving by Rudy Gobert. Conversely, Wolves’ top scorer Anthony Edwards (29 points, 10 rebounds) also failed to score, thereby sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Rockets went on an 11-0 run, clinching their spot in the quarter-finals with three wins from three games. Minnesota (1-2), on the other hand, has only theoretical chances left in Group A of the Western Conference.
The same can be said for the Miami Heat (1-2), who fell to the Milwaukee Bucks (3-0) without Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek star injured his knee during warm-ups, leaving Damian Lillard to shine with 37 points (8/13 from three) and twelve assists in his absence. Milwaukee led the entire game by as much as 22 points, before things tightened up in the fourth quarter.
Jimmy Butler (23 points) evened the matchup with four minutes left, but two three-pointers from A.J. Green provided the necessary cushion for the Bucks as the game came to a close. Brook Lopez (13 points, 3 blocks) notably blocked a three-pointer from Tyler Herro (18 points, 5/14 FG), with the Heat guard later missing another shot that could have given Miami the win.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls (2-1) confidently fulfilled their duty against Washington (0-3), adding to the excitement in Group B of the East. With Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston all at 2-1, Cleveland (1-1) still has a game in hand. All Bulls starters scored in double figures, with Coby White (21 points) leading the way. On the opposite side, Kyle Kuzma (23 points) collected the most points for Washington.
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