The Minnesota Timberwolves once again beat the Phoenix Suns, while the Los Angeles Clippers missed out against Dallas on Tuesday in the first round of the NBA play-offs.

The Minnesota Timberwolves distributed the offensive tasks for a second home victory against Phoenix (105-93). Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, Rudy Gobert 18, Anthony Edwards 15 and Karl-Anthony Towns 12. It was especially on defense that Minnesota shone, extinguishing in the second half the usual flamboyant Suns scorers Devin Booker (20 points) and Kevin Durant (18 pts).

The Frenchman Rudy Gobert justified his new selection among the three finalists for the defender of the year award: mobile and concentrated, he did a superb job against Kevin Durant and Yusuf Nurkic.

Constantly embarrassed, the Suns lost 20 balls. “We had this ball management problem during the season, and it popped up again tonight,” lamented coach Frank Vogel, who called Minnesota “an elite defensive team, probably the best in the league.” league”.

As nothing was going well for the Suns, fullback Grayson Allen came out during the 3rd quarter after twisting his right ankle. Phoenix absolutely must react on Friday in the first of two home matches.

Weighed down by their clumsiness (32 out of 87 shooting), the Los Angeles Clippers were dominated on their floor by the Dallas Mavericks (96-93) who equalized at 1-1, after a tough match.

The Clippers were not very successful and often messy in attack, like Kawhi Leonard (15 pts, 7 rebounds), returning from knee inflammation which caused him to miss nine games.

Neither team, efficient in defense, was able to have a lead of more than nine points in this tense match. The Clippers conceded a fatal 14-0 in the heart of the 4th quarter, before being definitively stunned by a long shot from Luka Doncic 1 minute 26 from time. Despite a certain lack of efficiency, the Slovenian still scored 32 points, gave 9 assists and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Star recruit of the winter from the Toronto Raptors, Cameroonian Pascal Siakam had a huge match with his Pacers on the Milwaukee Bucks floor, for a success (125-108) which allowed them to equalize at 1-1. Indiana had not won a playoff game since 2018.

Formidable in skill, Siakam compiled 37 points on 16 of 23 shooting and 11 rebounds, often served by leader Tyrese Haliburton (12 pts, 12 assists). Deprived of Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo for a 5th consecutive game since his left calf injury on April 9, the Bucks were able to count on Damian Lillard (34 points, 5 assists), but without success.

“He was able to shoot today, he worked on the floor. He’s getting closer to a return, coach Doc Rivers said of Antetokounmpo, before the series moves to Indianapolis for two games starting Friday.

Devastated by a loss of ball which cost his Philadelphia 76ers victory against the New York Knicks on Monday, Tyrese Maxey was able to console himself on Tuesday by being awarded the trophy for the most improved player of the season (MIP). A panel of 99 media members chose Maxey ahead of Chicago guard Coby White.

Leader of the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey (23 years old) took advantage of the transfer of James Harden to the Clippers this summer to take a role as first lieutenant for 2023 MVP Joel Embiid. The young American saw his statistics soar, going from 20.3 to 25.9 points on average, and from 3.5 to 6.2 assists.

“For someone like me, who prides himself on working hard, harder than others, to find that extra 1% every day, it’s an honor to see his work highlighted,” he said.

Results of the NBA evening, first round of the play-offs

EAST CONFERENCE

Indiana (No. 6) beats Milwaukee (No. 3) 125 to 108

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Minnesota (N.3) beat Phoenix (N.6) 105-93

Dallas (N.5) beat the Los Angeles Clippers (N.4) 96-93