This defeat, however, does not prevent the Celtics from keeping the lead in the Eastern Conference ahead of Milwaukee and Cleveland, which needed 41 points from Donovan Mitchell to repel Indiana (118-112). Behind the leading trio, Brooklyn consolidated its 4th place by winning in Toronto thanks to a shot on the buzzer from Kyrie Irving, author of 32 points (116-119). Philadelphia assured him his 5th place by beating a debilitated Golden State team (118-106).
The Sixers remain ahead of New York, 6th, which signed a 6th success in a row by winning in Chicago (91-114). Atlanta moved up to 9th place following beating Charlotte (106-125). In the West, Denver missed an opportunity to join New Orleans in 2nd place following losing 126-108 on the floor of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets therefore remain stuck in 3rd place while the Lakers, carried by LeBron James (30 points), are in 12th place. Thanks to its 113-122 victory in Detroit, Sacramento took 5th place in the Western Conference, taking advantage of the defeat of Portland, 6th, in Dallas, 9th (130-110). Minnesota, for its part, took 10th place by winning 110-112 at Oklahoma City. (Belga)
