As the regular season nears its end, the Milwaukee Bucks have secured a playoff berth, finishing fifth after the Atlanta Hawks’ loss. The Bucks triumphed over the Miami Heat in overtime, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double. Meanwhile, the Heat, missing star Tyler Herro, are now in the play-in tournament. In the West, the Timberwolves and Grizzlies achieved crucial wins, with Rudy Gobert excelling, while the Dallas Mavericks suffered a significant defeat against the LA Clippers.
As the regular season approaches its conclusion with just four games remaining, the Milwaukee Bucks have solidified their spot in the playoffs. Sitting comfortably in fifth place, the Bucks’ position was confirmed following the Atlanta Hawks’ loss (121-105) earlier in New York. This victory marks the Bucks’ ninth consecutive playoff appearance. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs have evaporated, forcing them into the four-team play-in tournament, where they will compete for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks’ defeat has alleviated pressure for the Bucks, particularly for their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite facing a tough challenge against the Miami Heat, the Bucks emerged victorious in overtime, as they strive for a better playoff seeding to avoid the play-in games. Giannis delivered an impressive triple-double, contributing 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. He received strong support from Kevin Porter Jr., who added 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Brook Lopez chipped in with 17 points.
On the other side, Bam Adebayo’s standout performance (31 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) was not enough to save the Heat, who missed their leading scorer Tyler Herro due to injury. The Heat now find themselves in the play-in tournament alongside Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando. As the top six spots in the Eastern Conference are now settled, the competition intensifies in the West, where six teams vie for the four remaining playoff spots behind already qualified Oklahoma City and Houston.
Rudy Gobert’s Dominance
Following the victories of the Lakers (47-30) and Golden State Warriors (47-31) on Friday, the playoff race intensified on Saturday with wins from the Memphis Grizzlies (46-32) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32), currently positioned sixth and seventh in the standings. The Grizzlies had to fight hard to secure a victory against the Detroit Pistons (109-103), with Desmond Bane shining by scoring 38 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 27 points, while rookie center Zach Edey delivered a stellar defensive performance with a remarkable 21 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers struggled against the Timberwolves (114-109), taking a hit from a team missing its three star players: Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, all sidelined due to injuries. French player Guerschon Yabusele managed to score 19 points but could not halt the team’s downward spiral.
The Timberwolves relied heavily on the dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, with Edwards scoring 37 points, while Gobert made a significant impact on both ends of the court, contributing 23 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. His performance earned him accolades from coach Chris Finch, who was otherwise displeased with the team’s overall effort. “He refuses to let us lose on nights like this, when we probably should have”, Finch remarked. “All the credit goes to him (Gobert). We highlighted his performance in the locker room – we need more guys who play with that mentality”, he added.
In a stark contrast, the Dallas Mavericks faced a devastating defeat at the hands of the LA Clippers, losing 104-135. The Clippers’ offensive trio of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac combined for an impressive 83 points, while only Anthony Davis made a notable impact for Dallas with 27 points.