The Kings, valiant and guided by Domantas Sabonis in triple-double mode (23 pts, 17 rebounds, 15 assists) had a 15-point lead in the first period. Then the “Greek” (the Greek) became “Freak” (monstrous), scoring 19 points in nine minutes in the third quarter alone.
As imposing as he is skilful (19/28 on shots, 12 rebounds), the double MVP (2019, 2020), who was making his comeback after three missed matches, boosted the return of the Bucks who scored no less than 80 points in second period, also thanks to the substantial contribution of Khris Middleton (30 pts, 9 assists).
Sacramento, which vainly tried to hang on, in the wake of DeAaron Fox (35 pts), gives up its second place in the East to Memphis, winner (104-88) in Dallas. The Grizzlies collective, even deprived of Ja Morant dismissed indefinitely for having brandished a weapon in a strip club, had a completely different thickness than that of the Mavs, without Lukla Doncic and Kyrie Irving (8th).
With this 20th victory in 22 games, Milwaukee, champion in 2021, asserts its dominance in the East a little more, especially as its runner-up Boston, surprise of the day, conceded its fourth defeat in six games in Houston, at the last in the Western Conference (111-109), despite 43 points from Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum, he spent a difficult evening, weighed down by a failing address (8/22 including 2/10 behind the arc) until this double-step missed at the last second, to try to snatch the extension.