The NBA playoffs are almost upon us. While some teams are still fighting to secure their place, others are struggling to improve their position in the standings. Here are the details after an intense day on Monday.
Bulls Defeat 76ers in Overtime
The Chicago Bulls put away the Philadelphia 76ers 109-105 in one of the most exciting games of the day. For Chicago, the win is crucial as they cling to the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With a 34-37 record, the Bulls are two games ahead of Washington, who are right on their heels.
For Philadelphia, their 48-23 record keeps them in third place in the Eastern Conference. Only the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics have sealed their postseason berths. Philadelphia has yet to seal its playoff berth.
Indiana Suffers Heavy Blow to its Hopes
The Charlotte Hornets' 115-109 win over the Indiana Pacers dealt a major blow to the hopes of the Indiana squad. The Pacers are 2.5 games behind the Bulls for the last spot in the Eastern Conference. The loss leaves Indiana with a 32-40 record, which dashes their hopes of reaching the postseason.
For their part, the Hornets are now officially eliminated from contention so their sights are set on next season. That is why Charlotte is already thinking about the first round of the draft where they will be looking for a star player.
The hug between Kyrie Irving and Ja Morant last night 🤝🏼 pic.twitter.com/o0umz4C4j0
- Pasion Basket (@PasionBasketNBA) March 21, 2023
Grizzlies Win Game over Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks took a bitter 112-108 loss courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis squad came to play supported by 28 points from Jaren Jackson, Jr. Meanwhile, Santi Aldama contributed 14 rebounds for Memphis. With the win, Memphis moves firmly into second place behind the Denver Nuggets.
For Dallas, the loss puts its playoff position in jeopardy. With a 36-36 record, Dallas barely has a half-game lead over Minnesota, Oklahoma and Utah, and a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers for the final spot. In addition, the New Orleans Pelicans are 1.5 games behind. The Mavericks need to find a winning formula to avoid a postseason exit.
Timberwolves Win Offensive Duel
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who trail the Mavericks, won a 140-134 offensive duel over the New York Knicks. Julius Randle's 57 points for the Knicks, and Taurean Prince's 35 for the Timberwolves, set the tone for one of the most offensive games of the season.
For Minnesota, the win brings them closer to the Mavericks, keeping their position in the Western Conference strong. For the Knicks, their 42-31 record keeps them in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. However, the Knicks are two games up on Brooklyn, so they can't afford to let any more games slip away.
