Fifth place within the Japanese Convention got here down to 2 video games between the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. Giannis Antetokounmpo determined to finish the suspense early.
Antetokounmpo dished out 15 assists as a part of a 32-point, 11-rebound triple-double in Milwaukee’s 125-119 win. Cade Cunningham had 12 assists and 36 factors of his personal because the Bucks squeaked previous the Pistons for his or her seventh straight win and the No. 5 seed within the Japanese Convention.
The Pistons wanted to win each video games in opposition to the Bucks to maneuver from sixth to fifth, however Milwaukee’s win makes Sunday’s recreation meaningless. Detroit will now face the third-place New York Knicks, who clinched the No. 3 seed with the Indiana Pacers’ loss Friday.
The tiebreakers have been going to be very sophisticated between the 2 groups if the Pistons had swept this weekend, with the Pistons barely prevailing based mostly on their document inside the Central Division. Fortunately for followers who would favor an uncomplicated Sunday, the playoff seedings are set.
The Boston Celtics will play the loser of the Atlanta Hawks on the Orlando Magic play-in recreation. The Cleveland Cavaliers will play whoever emerges after the No. 9 Chicago Bulls host the No. 10 Miami Warmth, and the winner of that recreation performs the Magic-Hawks loser.
The No. 3 Knicks play the Pistons, who beat them three out of 4 occasions this season, whereas the Bucks will get a rematch in opposition to the No. 4 Indiana Pacers. Which means that the Japanese Convention will not have something at stake on Sunday, save varied single-season stats and maybe a number of contract bonuses.
Antetokounmpo can use the assured week off. With Damian Lillard out indefinitely with blood clots, the Greek Freak has put the Bucks on his again. Within the final 10 video games, he is averaging 31.5 factors, 11.7 rebounds and 9.1 assists. He is had double-digit assists in 5 of his final six video games.
However he will not need to throw any extra passes till April 19 on the earliest. The job’s not completed for the Bucks. However they do get a one-week sabbatical.
