With All-Star Weekend looming in Salt Lake City, UT, it was arduous to know what to anticipate within the Association’s remaining night time of post-break motion. Some simply hope to see their staff enter the off-week intact, myself included.
Unfortunately, Giannis Antetokounmpo, an MVP candidate by way of the primary two-thirds of the season, had a troublesome fall on a block try and sprained his wrist. However, head coach Mike Budenholzer detailed Milwaukee’s early optimism:
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s proper wrist sprain:
“I feel the preliminary reviews had been hopeful. The x-ray was clear. And he is received a sprain. I feel we’ll see how he feels tomorrow, see how he feels the subsequent few days and proceed to guage it.”
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 17, 2023
Brook Lopez lights up Bulls in Bucks’ 112-100 win
When Giannis exited the sport with 10:51 remaining within the second — although not earlier than setting the franchise document for all-time assists — Milwaukee was working with a six-point lead. That solely ballooned as Brook Lopez posted a game-high 33 factors (13-18 FG, 3-6 3P) and Jevon Carter scored 22 factors (9-13 FG, 4-5 3P), which matched Chicago’s main scorer, Nikola Vucevic (8-20 FG, 2-6 3P).
The East’s second-seeded Milwaukee’s win streak is as much as 12 video games now; third seed Philadelphia 76ers — 2.5 video games again of the Bucks — has the second-best win streak at simply 4. Chicago spirals their means into the the break, having misplaced their final six and sitting 2.0 video games exterior the play-in image.
Wizards make the most of late collapse by Wolves in 114-106 win
Maybe somebody forgot to remind Minnesota that you just nonetheless play 4 quarters on the ultimate night time earlier than the break, as a result of they dominated this one for about 34 minutes. The Wolves’ 18-point lead with two minutes left began to dissipate as Deni Avdija scored every of the subsequent seven factors going into the fourth. Brad Beal then scored 17 factors within the fourth quarter, simply two shy of Minnesota’s quarter as a staff.
Beal completed with a season-high 35 factors (14-28 FG, 4-8 3P) whereas Avdija reached 10 factors (3-8 FG) for the primary time in his final three video games. Anthony Edwards posted a really respectable 34 factors (11-26) with stable protection whereas Rudy Gobert had one among his higher video games in Minnesota with 17 factors (8-15), 19 rebounds, and three blocks. Both groups go into the break within the thick of their respective play-in photos.
Clippers keep management in 116-107 win over Suns
Kevin Durant was launched to Phoenix devoted simply hours forward of the competition, however the palpable buzz within the enviornment couldn’t carry into the night time because the Suns’ huge 3 struggled to get a lot going for themselves; Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton mixed for simply 42 factors, although Booker and Paul mixed for 20 assists.
With the win, the Clippers overtake the Suns for #4 within the West going into the stretch run after 26-point performances from every of Paul George (9-19 FG) and Terance Mann (10-12). Kawhi Leonard completed the primary half scoreless (0-8), however got here alive within the second to complete with 16 factors, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.