Milwaukee Bucks first to clinch playoff spot
Credit to Author: Associated Press| Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:16:17 +0000
MILWAUKEE: The Milwaukee Bucks have a spot in the postseason, only a week after the All-Star Game.
The Bucks became the first team in the NBA to clinch a berth Sunday (Monday in Manila) after Washington lost to Chicago. The Wizards are in ninth place in an Eastern Conference that the Bucks have been running away with for months.
Milwaukee is 48-8, on pace to join the Golden State Warriors (2015-16) and Chicago Bulls (1995-96) as the only teams in NBA history to win 70 games.
“Enjoy this Sunday bucks fans. Earliest playoff clinch in NBA history. It’s not even March yet!!” Bucks Senior Vice President Alex Lasry wrote on Twitter.
The Bucks did clinch on an earlier date than the Warriors, but the NBA season also now starts slightly earlier.
The postseason starts April 18.
James’ dream shake helps lift Lakers over Celtics
LeBron James delivered the go-ahead jumper with 30 seconds left to help lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics as the two decorated franchises renewed their historic rivalry.
“I just gave a little dream shake to the baseline and was able to open up the middle and get my fadeaway,” James said.
The NBA powerhouses went down to the wire in a back-and-forth thriller in front of a crowd of almost 19,000 at the Staples Center arena.
Boston and Los Angeles have 33 championships between them and have met in the finals a record 12 times.
Both are once again title contenders, with the Lakers on top of the Western Conference standings and the Celtics in third in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s just special to be part of this rivalry,” James said. “We understand that this has been going on since the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, all the way through.”
James’ fadeaway shot gave the Lakers the lead for good, and Anthony Davis sealed the win with three free throws over the final 12 seconds.
“He got to his money shot, the shot he always makes, a shot he always takes in practice and in games, and he did what he does best and made the shot.”
James finished with 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Davis tallied a team-high 32 points and 13 rebounds as the Lakers also showed good defensive strategy late in the game.
“The more that you’re in that environment of a close game, of an intense game like that, I think everybody just gets a chance to grow together,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.
AP/AFP