#dream #Orleans #shut #Sacramento #Vezenkov #playoffs
Alexander Vezenkov will not play in the NBA playoffs in his first season in the league of the strongest in basketball.
This became clear after Sacramento lost 98:105 to New Orleans as a guest in the direct duel, which was supposed to lead one of the two teams to the first round of the eliminations. And so the dream of seeing for the first time a Bulgarian in a playoff game in the National Basketball League is frozen, at least until next year.
The New Orleans Pelicans advance, and Vezenkov and company remain out of contention in the crucial part of the season, although for large periods it looked like they would find a playoff spot with ease. However, a bad series doomed the Kings to additional games, the first one was won (against Golden State), but there was no strength for the second.
Sacramento led after the first quarter, and the entire first half was carried on the shoulders of D’Aaron Fox, who recorded 18 points in the first two quarters. The hosts were without their star and main scorer Zion Williamson, who was injured a few days ago against the LA Lakers.
But the Pelicans are 6-0 against the Kings on the season, indicative of how this team just has a habit of handling Sacramento’s game. Six games, six wins for New Orleans!
And now the team made up for Zayan’s absence with a team game and gained a lead, and Vezenkov recorded 11 minutes on the field. A time in which he scored 2 points, took two rebounds under the baskets and stole a ball for his team’s fast transition.
But 35 points from Fox and 23 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists from Domantas Sabonik were not enough for the guests. New Orleans Sacramento is eliminated, and New Orleans completes the West bracket. In the first round, he will meet Oklahoma.
And the remaining pairs are:
East
Boston – Miami
New York Knicks – Philadelphia
Milwaukee – Indiana
Cleveland – Orlando.
West
Denver – LA Lakers
Minnesota – Phoenix
LA Clippers – Dallas.
