Victor Wembanyama has predicted Stephon Castle will shine “more and more” after the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year helped the San Antonio Spurs extend their winning streak to eight games with a 127–95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Guard Castle, 21, contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists alongside 23 points and 15 rebounds from Wembanyama at the Fiserv Forum.
“He was already good but we’ve put him on some top guys multiple times and he’s answered every time,” said Wembanyama.
“I’m not surprised from Steph and I know it’s going to happen more and more. He’s really impressive defensively – and for how long he can do it, too.”
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Spurs vs Bucks: Wembanyama on teammates
The Spurs won the first quarter 37-24 and the second and fourth quarters by nine points each. “I’ve learned more this year than any previous year about all my teammates,” reflected Wembanyama.
“It feels like everybody’s ready to notice and apply how others want to play. I know it takes a lot to learn how I want to play.
“Being in this position of winning allows us – and myself, personally – to learn so much about teammates.”
The result eliminated the Bucks from play-off contention, meaning they will not extend their season for the first time in 10 campaigns.
The Bucks were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo for a sixth straight game and have now lost nine of their last 11.
76ers vs Hornets: Maxey makes winning comeback
Tyrese Maxey returned after 10 games with a finger injury by scoring 26 points in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 118–114 comeback win over the Charlotte Hornets, including a dunk in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Playing for the second time since a 25-game suspension, Paul George – who finished on 26 points and 13 rebounds – contributed a vital three-pointer with 1:04 remaining, while Joel Embiid top-scored with 29 and blocked a potentially game-tying three-pointer from Brandon Miller with 7.4 seconds left to play.
Philadelphia trailed by 15 points during the third quarter, with the lead changing hands nine times during the final eight minutes of the contest.
Pistons vs Timberwolves: Detroit win again
Detroit beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109–87 to move closer to being top seeds in the Eastern Conference.
The teams had been separated by a point at half-time but Tobias Harris led the way with 18 points as Detroit won for the ninth time in 11 games.
“We did a really good job,” assessed Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff. “We communicated well, we were physical and we did a great job defensively.”
“We didn’t give up many open threes. The more you move the ball, the more you make defenses chase you, the more likely they are to make a mistake and give you opportunities.
NBA results: Hawks, Grizzlies win
Here are the latest NBA results, which also featured victory for the Atlanta Hawks at home to the Sacramento Kings and a one-point win for the Memphis Grizzlies over the Chicago Bulls.
| Away | Home | Score |
| San Antonio Spurs | Milwaukee Bucks | 127–95 |
| Detroit Pistons | Minnesota Timberwolves | 109–87 |
| Sacramento Kings | Atlanta Hawks | 113–123 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Charlotte Hornets | 118–114 |
| Chicago Bulls | Memphis Grizzlies | 124–125 |
Full NBA standings
Here’s out the Eastern Conference looks, with the teams set for the play-offs in bold.
| Team | W-L | Win % | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| 1 | Detroit Pistons | 54-20 | .730 | — | 8-2 | W2 |
| 2 | Boston Celtics | 49-24 | .671 | 4.5 | 7-3 | W2 |
| 3 | New York Knicks | 48-26 | .649 | 6.0 | 7-3 | L1 |
| 4 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 46-28 | .622 | 8.0 | 7-3 | W1 |
| 5 | Toronto Raptors | 41-32 | .562 | 12.5 | 5-5 | W1 |
| 6 | Atlanta Hawks | 42-33 | .560 | 12.5 | 8-2 | W1 |
| 7 | Philadelphia 76ers | 41-33 | .554 | 13.0 | 7-3 | W2 |
| 8 | Orlando Magic | 39-34 | .534 | 14.5 | 4-6 | W1 |
| 9 | Miami Heat | 39-35 | .527 | 15.0 | 4-6 | L1 |
| 10 | Charlotte Hornets | 39-35 | .527 | 15.0 | 7-3 | L1 |
| 11 | Milwaukee Bucks | 29-44 | .397 | 24.5 | 2-8 | L3 |
| 12 | Chicago Bulls | 29-45 | .392 | 25.0 | 3-7 | L3 |
| 13 | Washington Wizards | 17-56 | .233 | 36.5 | 1-9 | L1 |
| 14 | Brooklyn Nets | 17-57 | .230 | 37.0 | 0-10 | L10 |
| 15 | Indiana Pacers | 16-58 | .216 | 38.0 | 1-9 | L2 |
The Western Conference stands like this.
| Team | W-L | Win % | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| 1 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 58-16 | .784 | — | 9-1 | W1 |
| 2 | San Antonio Spurs | 56-18 | .757 | 2.0 | 9-1 | W8 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Lakers | 48-26 | .649 | 10.0 | 9-1 | W2 |
| 4 | Denver Nuggets | 47-28 | .627 | 11.5 | 8-2 | W5 |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 45-29 | .608 | 13.0 | 5-5 | L1 |
| 6 | Houston Rockets | 44-29 | .603 | 13.5 | 5-5 | W1 |
| 7 | Phoenix Suns | 41-33 | .554 | 17.0 | 4-6 | W1 |
| 8 | LA Clippers | 38-36 | .514 | 20.0 | 6-4 | W4 |
| 9 | Portland Trail Blazers | 37-38 | .493 | 21.5 | 6-4 | L1 |
| 10 | Golden State Warriors | 36-38 | .486 | 22.0 | 4-6 | W3 |
| 11 | Memphis Grizzlies | 25-49 | .338 | 33.0 | 2-8 | W1 |
| 12 | New Orleans Pelicans | 25-50 | .333 | 33.5 | 5-5 | L4 |
| 13 | Dallas Mavericks | 24-50 | .324 | 34.0 | 3-7 | W1 |
| 14 | Utah Jazz | 21-54 | .280 | 37.5 | 1-9 | L5 |
| 15 | Sacramento Kings | 19-56 | .253 | 39.5 | 4-6 | L3 |
NBA playoffs bracket: How the picture looks
If the regular season had ended after the latest round of games, the Miami Heat would meet the Hornets and the 76ers would encounter the Orlando Magic in play-in matches.
The Portland Trail Blazers would face the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns would also take on the LA Clippers in those games.
The confirmed first round play-off games would include the Denver Nuggets against the Timberwolves, the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Toronto Raptors, the Lakers against the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks against the Hawks.
You can find the latest play-off picture on the NBA’s site.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
