NBA wrap: Bucks clinches first playoff spot of season

Bucks is the first team guaranteed to reach the playoffs in 2018-19.

Published : Mar 02, 2019 14:33 IST

Eric Bledsoe accrued 31 points with nine rebounds and five assists.
Eric Bledsoe accrued 31 points with nine rebounds and five assists.
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Eric Bledsoe accrued 31 points with nine rebounds and five assists.

Milwaukee Bucks locked up the first playoff spot of the year Friday in its 131-120 win over Los Angeles Lakers.

Eric Bledsoe, who reportedly agreed to a four-year extension worth $70 million earlier in the day, led the way with 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't have his best night as he scored just 16 points, but he did throw down one poster to make his night a bit better.

LeBron James scored 31 points and threw down a good dunk of his own.

Read: Nowitzki waiting to make call on one more year

Bucks is now now 48-14 and 2 1/2 games ahead of the Raptors for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Lakers is 30-32 and failed to capitalise on a Kings loss and remains a game behind Sacramento for ninth place in the West.

STUDS OF THE NIGHT

Trae Young scored a Hawks' franchise-rookie record 49 points while adding 16 assists in a quadruple-overtime 168-161 loss to the Bulls. Zach LaVine scored 47 while adding nine rebounds and nine assists for Chicago.

Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 38 points in a 119-117 win over the Trail Blazers. CJ McCollum scored 35 in the loss for Portland.

DUD OF THE NIGHT

Trevor Ariza scored six points on 2-of-10 shooting in the Wizards' 107-96 loss to the Celtics.

HIGHLIGHT

Devin Booker threw one down on Anthony Davis. The Pelicans dropped the Suns though 130-116.

WHAT'S NEXT

Warriors (43-19) at 76ers (40-22), 8:30 p.m. EST —  76ers will be without Joel Embiid, but it will be at home where they dominate (24-8). The Warriors are in the middle of a bad spell dropping three of their last four games and four of their last six, but this is the type of match-up that will bring out the best in Golden State.

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