Stats & Highlights | Double blow for the Wizards, hope begins to fly away for the Magic
March 15, 2023
By disposing of the weak Hornets, the Cavaliers consolidated their fourth place in the East. There is no immediate danger behind or the possibility of climbing quickly (three games away in both directions) so Cleveland is heading straight for a playoff qualification at this position.
On the other hand, things are moving in the Top 10. The Wizards remained on three consecutive losses and this success against Detroit is good for morale and the ranking, since Bradley Beal and his band take tenth place from the Bulls.
In addition, they are widening the gap with the Magic, which lost to the Spurs. Orlando is in trouble with five defeats in seven games and now four wins behind the Wizards and this 10th place, and only thirteen games left to play, hopes of “play-in” are slowly starting to fade away…
Toronto–Denver New Orleans–LA Lakers Oklahoma City–Brooklyn Phoenix–Milwaukee Portland–New York
Charlotte–Cleveland: 104-120
Even without Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers had no trouble shutting down the Hornets. Steve Clifford’s players, clumsy at 3-pointers and authors of 22 lost balls, were not dangerous enough to offer some resistance.
Cleveland used Charlotte’s lost possessions perfectly to score a lot of points. There were fifteen points difference at the break and Darius Garland and his team will drive the point home in the third quarter. Easy victory for the troops of JB Bickerstaff, the fifth in six matches.
The Pistons end the season with a roster that looks a lot like a G-League team. Inevitably, faced with formations that play to snatch something, it becomes complicated to exist.
The Wizards, deprived of Kyle Kuzma, made the difference in the first quarter, against a defenseless team. Washington then passes a 20-2 to take a 22 unit lead. Killian Hayes is a bit alone (20 points) and Detroit will never pose a threat for the rest of the game.
Paolo Banchero tried to resist the Spurs, but the Texans had a good night, with 22 3-point baskets scored and 39 assists. Orlando’s defense never managed to slow them down.
The Florida rookie could therefore finish well with 27 points, the San Antonio attack did the essentials to win. Jeremy Sochan and Zach Collins particularly shone with 29 and 25 points. Second victory in three matches for the players of Gregg Popovich.
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