Play-offs: Miami concluded, Memphis saved by Morant, Phoenix again in front

The Heat continue on their way, even without Jimmy Butler. The Florida franchise, first in the Eastern Conference, completed its series against the Hawks after a fifth game that was a good undecided moment. The Georgia franchise, which was playing its future on this game, started with the bit in its teeth. De’Andre Hunter (35 points, 11 rebounds) allowed his team to race in the lead from the start of the match and then at the start of the second quarter. The problem is that Miami has never been left behind, the maximum difference between the two teams not exceeding six points. It was as halftime approached that the Heat banged their fists on the table. Thanks to a 17-0 in just under four minutes, Bam Adebayo (20 points, 11 rebounds) and his teammates took control of the game, leading by twelve lengths at the break. The Hawks reacted as soon as they returned to the floor, returning to four points before resuming a burst. A final burst of pride at the start of the fourth quarter saw the Atlanta franchise close to three units. After taking off again, teammates Victor Oladipo (23 points) scared each other again but, despite a 12-5 in the last moments of the game, the Hawks lost (97-94) and saw their season s stop there. The Heat, for its part, will find the Sixers or the Raptors in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference.

NEVER IN DOUBT.

On to Round 2! pic.twitter.com/3IEr3eRzU8

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022

The Grizzlies saved by Morant

If the Grizzlies are getting closer to the second round of the NBA play-offs, it is largely thanks to Ja Morant. Because, on their floor, the Memphis players were copiously dominated by Timberwolves now with their backs to the wall. In front of their home crowd, the Grizzlies got off to a good start to quickly lead by eleven points. However, under the leadership of Karl-Anthony Towns (28 points, 12 rebounds) and Anthony Edwards (22 points), Minnesota reversed the trend to take the lead by three points after the first quarter. A domination that continued in the twelve minutes leading up to the break but without seeing the Minneapolis-based franchise widen the gap. For that, it was necessary to wait until the end of the third quarter. Indeed, while Desmond Bane’s teammates (25 points) got closer to one point after returning from the locker room, Wolves raised their voices and counted up to thirteen points in advance. The end of the match became unbreathable when, thanks to a 10-0, Minnesota came back to a length before going ahead at the start of the last minute. Four seconds from the buzzer, Anthony Edwards believed to snatch the extension on a three-point shot but it was without counting on Ja Morant (30 points, 13 rebounds). Freshly voted player with the most progress, the leader of the Grizzlies scored the winning basket one second from the end of the meeting. Karl-Anthony Towns’ desperate attempt to miss the circle. With this narrow victory (111-109), Memphis regains the advantage in the series before game 6 on the floor of Minnesota.

JA WINS GAME 5 FOR THE @MEMGRIZZ! pic.twitter.com/FsvishWyen

— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2022

The Suns left nothing for the Pelicans

The duel between the Suns and the Pelicans is approaching its conclusion. The best team in the Western Conference regained the advantage after an absolutely one-sided Game 5. If New Orleans players, thanks in particular to Brandon Ingram (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), CJ McCollum (21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and Jonas Valanciunas (17 points, 14 rebounds), hung on for the first eight minutes, the match then turned into a nightmare for them. A 9-0 allowed the Suns to soar on the scoreboard and then be almost out of reach. The gap between the two teams very rarely fell below ten points during the second and third quarters. Mikal Bridges (31 points, 5 rebounds) and Chris Paul (22 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists) led the Suns, who were up to 18 points ahead at the heart of the twelve minutes following the break. In the fourth quarter, the burst of pride of the Pelicans allowed them to get closer but without returning to less than seven lengths of Suns while in control. The last two minutes saw the Arizona franchise closing the doors in defense to conclude the meeting on an 8-0 for a victory of fifteen lengths (112-97), the third in the series. The Suns will therefore have the opportunity to put an end to the suspense away from their bases in Game 6, against the Pelicans who have no other solution but to win.

ONE MORE TO GO! pic.twitter.com/9rwjEtoUml

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 27, 2022

BASKETBALL – NBA / PLAY-OFFS
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Miami Heat – Atlanta Hawks: 97-94 >>> Miami qualified (4-1)
> Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (ATL): 0 points in 3 seconds

Memphis Grizzlies – Minnesota Timberwolves: 111-109 >>> Memphis leads 3-2 in the series
> Killian Tillie (MEM) did not play

Phoenix Suns – New Orleans Pelicans: 112-97 >>> Phoenix leads 3-2 in the series