A victory down to the wire for the San Antonio Spurs against the Denver Nuggets, 121-120, with a great Victor Wembanyama. A place in the playoffs assured for the Cleveland Cavaliers after their victory over the Indiana Pacers, 129 to 120.
What to remember from the games on Friday, April 12, as the regular season of the NBA, the North American basketball league, ends on Sunday.
Thirty-four points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks. And this quote from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich that sums it all up: “Victor is Victor. » The San Antonio Spurs – bottom of the Western Conference – managed to overcome the 23 points behind, which they had at the start of the third quarter, to snatch victory from the Nuggets – leaders before the match – thanks to a basket from Devonte’Graham… less than a second from the buzzer.
The number 1 place in the Conference flies to Denver, in favor of Oklahoma City, clear winner of the Milwaukee Bucks (125-107). The Minnesota Timberwolves, who beat the Atlanta Hawks by a short head (109-106), also passed them in front. Nikola Jokic’s teammates, now third, were already assured of a place in the playoffs before the match.
By beating the Indiana Pacers (129-120), the Cavaliers are guaranteed to maintain their 4th place in the Eastern Conference and go directly to the playoffs. They can even dislodge the Knicks, 3rd after their success over the Nets (111-107) in the New York derby. Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points for the Cavs, who scored 70 points in the first half alone.
For their part, the Philadelphia 76ers signed – with Joel Embiid at 32 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists – a precious victory against the Orlando Magic (125-113). It allows them to stay in the race for a direct place in the playoffs. The return, in April, of the best player of the 2023 season, after two months of absence and a knee operation, did a lot of good for the Pennsylvaie team, which continued its seven victories in a row on Friday. .
In the Eastern Conference, nothing is decided for the 5th and 6th places, the last two directly qualifying for the playoffs. Four franchises can claim it: Orlando, Indiana and Philadelphia (46 wins and 35 losses each) and Miami (45 wins and 36 losses).
In the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans (6th) and the Phoenix Suns (7th) are competing for sixth place. The two teams won away this Friday, in California, the first at the Golden State Warriors (114-109), the second Suns in Sacramento (108-107).
