pic.twitter.com/WSlq0mpiqK— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 10, 2020
The NBAs most popular team did it again.
Regardless of not having center Deandre Ayton to start the video game, the Phoenix Suns enhanced to 6-0 in the NBA reboot, moving within a video game of the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8-seed in the Western Conference.
As incredible as the Suns have actually been, they still do not manage their own destiny. They might finish 8-0 in the bubble and still miss out on the play-in round, depending on what Memphis and Portland do the rest of the week. Despite what happens, the Suns have been the most wonderful group on Earth for the past 12 days.
Heres the current on the standings, the games to watch Monday and Tuesday, plus whatever else you need to know. Check back here for highlights and updates throughout the day.
Aug. 3
The back of the t-shirt lists Taurasis lots of achievements, including 10-time first-team All-WNBA, WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Finals MVP and three-time WNBA champion.
Deandre Ayton not starting for Suns today
Suns center Deandre Ayton has actually averaged 18.2 points and 9.8 rebounds as Phoenix has actually started 5-0 in the seeding video games in Orlando, however he was not in the starting lineup for Mondays game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, after he missed his coronavirus test on Sunday. Ayton had to be retested and was cleared after that test returned negative, and was en route to join the team as the game tipped off.
Warren downplays face-off with Butler
The last time T.J. Warren and Jimmy Butler satisfied on the court, the 2 exchanged bumps, words and gestures, leading to the Pacers forwards ejection and combined fines of $60,000. However, Warren wasnt anticipating fireworks when the 2 take the court once again tonight.
Latest buzz
The West remains wild, muddled
After the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz had dueling tank-offs in their respective video games Monday afternoon, the playoff image– as well as Oklahoma Citys quest to keep its preliminary draft pick– stays as muddled as it was at the start of the day.
The Thunder sat several starters, consisting of Steven Adams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for their game against the Phoenix Suns. The Jazz sat Donovan Mitchell and after that pulled the rest of their beginners at halftime of their video game against the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams lost, keeping OKC a half-game ahead of Utah in the standings.
Oklahoma City won the season series in between the teams 2-1 and will end up 5th in the Western Conference if Utah loses its ending on Thursday versus the San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Mavericks lose among their last 2 video games (versus Portland Wednesday and Phoenix Thursday).
The Jazz might still move up to 5th, but that would need them to beat the Spurs and have the Thunder lose out. If Dallas beats Portland Wednesday and Phoenix Thursday and Utah loses to the Spurs, Utah could also fall to seventh.
Even if allure surface 6th, theyre not guaranteed of preventing the Houston Rockets, who have knocked Utah out of the playoffs each of the past two seasons. Houston might go up to 3 by winning out (versus the Spurs, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers) and having Denver lose 2 of its final three (versus the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors). Denver could also still pass the Clippers for the 2-seed, so the Nuggets have plenty to play for.
Oklahoma City, on the other hand, still has a chance to keep the top-20 safeguarded pick it traded to the Philadelphia 76ers back on Nov. 1, 2016 for forward Jerami Grant. The Thunder, after Mondays loss, being in a three-way tie for 21st in the NBAs draft standings with the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers– who play each other Monday night.
To enter the leading 20, the Thunder will need to have two of the four groups behind them– allure, 76ers, Mavericks and the loser of Heat/Pacers– tie or pass them by the end of the week to ensure themselves at a least a shot of keeping their pick in this years NBA draft.
Oklahoma City is at least partly in control of that destiny, as it plays Miami Wednesday prior to ending up with the Clippers Friday. So, if Indiana wins Monday, and the Thunder lose their staying video games, they are guaranteed of, at minimum, a coin-flip with allure for the 20th spot in the leagues draft order.– Tim Bontemps
Devin Booker shows love for Diana Taurasi
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker made a declaration with his arrival outfit Friday, proclaiming Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi as the greatest of perpetuity (aka the GOAT).
TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler are both doubtful for tomorrow with foot soreness.
Giannis (tooth) out tonight for Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for tonights game against the Toronto Raptors with a toothache/oral surgical treatment, the team states.– Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 10, 2020
Could the Bucks and Raptors see each other in September?
Play-in watch.
And after that there were four.
The recently of seeding video games commences with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings eliminated from playoff contention. There likewise will be a play-in game Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET on ABC,), and perhaps another on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, if necessary).
The only bubble group playing Monday is the restart-undefeated Phoenix Suns, who defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to improve to 6-0 in the bubble. The Suns will have to play again Tuesday, when the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs will likewise return to action.
Western Conference.
33-38 (.465)
Full standings|Playoff matchups.
The Thunder sat a number of beginners, including Steven Adams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for their video game against the Phoenix Suns. The Jazz sat Donovan Mitchell and then pulled the rest of their beginners at halftime of their video game against the Dallas Mavericks. If Indiana wins Monday, and the Thunder lose their staying games, they are guaranteed of, at minimum, a coin-flip with the Jazz for the 20th area in the leagues draft order. Monday nights game isnt likely to offer too numerous answers. Memphis still has whatever to play for and needs a win in one of its last 2 video games against Boston or Milwaukee to guarantee itself a place in the play-in competition next weekend.
Mondays must-see video games.
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks|6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The leading 2 seeds in the East, a rematch of the 2019 Eastern Conference finals, and two exceptional, well-coached groups. Of course, both the Raptors and Bucks are locked into their positions and are as much focusing on health and healing as they are wins in their last seeding games.
Assuming they go after it, this is a yummy matchup and one to certainly gather some takeaways from.– Royce Young.
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat|8 p.m. ET.
Complete scoreboard for Tuesday.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.– The Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors were the leading 2 seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs last year and met in an impressive six-game series in the conference finals.
After Torontos win Sunday over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Bucks and Raptors will, when again, go into the Eastern Conference playoffs in ownership of the top two seeds. Monday, they will meet for their one and only matchup during the 8 seeding video games.
However will it be another Eastern Conference finals sneak peek? Based off the play of both groups up until now inside the bubble, that remains to be seen.
2 RelatedThe Bucks have had an up-and-down showing therefore far, going 2-3 through their very first five games– after losing just 12 of their very first 65 video games this season. Some of that might be chalked up to Milwaukee having nothing to play for in these video games– the Bucks needed only a number of wins to clinch the leading seed in the East– but not all of it.
Yes, the leagues ruling and presumptive Most Valuable Player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has actually been excellent. Some essential rotation players have struggled– consisting of guards George Hill and Donte DiVincenzo, who are a combined 7-for-30 from 3-point range– and Milwaukee is a middling 13th in offending efficiency and 11th in protective efficiency through those five trips.
Toronto has some comparable concerns. Unlike the Bucks, the Raptors revealed up and looked locked in, winning their first four video games here– including a triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Aug. 1 in which they controlled the 4th quarter.
Then came Friday night versus the Boston Celtics, who wiped out Toronto in a game Boston led by 34 points after 3 quarters. The Raptors then were rank offensively in the fourth and first quarters Sunday versus Memphis, just hanging on to beat the Grizzlies thanks to a couple of late Pascal Siakam 3-pointers and yet another stout defensive efficiency.
The Raptors have been the leagues finest protective group inside the bubble, by far. They likewise have actually been the second-worst team offensively– only ahead of the Lakers– thanks to lots of missed out on open appearances from 3-point range and an uncharacteristic spate of turnovers.
Throughout their time here up until now, both groups have revealed the things critics indicate as possible difficulty spots in the playoffs.
For Milwaukee, concerns remain about Antetokounmpos capability to control a game offensively in late and close scenarios– especially as hes been in foul problem practically every video game here– in addition to Milwaukees penchant to provide up lots of 3-pointers defensively.
For Toronto, the greatest question mark is an offense that tends to slow down when it gets stuck in half-court circumstances, in addition to the absence of a true super star on the roster that so numerous championship competitors have (and the Raptors certainly did last year in Kawhi Leonard).
Monday nights video game isnt likely to provide too lots of answers. With Toronto having played Sunday, and with neither group having much to play for, its difficult to see both groups selling out to try to win it.
Analysis and intel.
8 video games that will swing the NBA playoff race this week.
To get you all set for this stretch run, our NBA specialists highlight the eight games that will decide the playoff image.
New NBA playoff predictions: Which two teams will make the play-in?
Portland and Phoenix are hot. How is the four-team race forming up now? Here are the current forecasts.
Answer questions on the NBA Playoffs and compete for $30,000 of ensured prizes! Make Your Picks.
Bubble beef! T.J. Warren and Jimmy Butler scuffled back in January, which caused Butler stating Warren is “trash,” Warren getting ejected and Butler then blowing him a goodbye kiss. Now, the Pacers are among the most popular teams, and Warren is the bubbles leading scorer.
And to make it even much better, the Heat and Pacers have similar records. And while seeding in a 4/5 match doesnt matter, you never know– having those virtual fans on your side in a Game 7 could be the difference.– Young.
Extra video games.
Complete scoreboard for Monday.
play1:26.
Tuesdays must-see games.
Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs|2 p.m. ET.
After winning Sunday against the Pelicans, the Spurs wish to live in the race for a play-in tournament area by beating their in-state rivals. Houston has something to play for as well: The Rockets are attempting to lock themselves into the 4th seed in the Western Conference.– Tim Bontemps.
Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies|5 p.m. ET.
Memphis still has whatever to play for and needs a win in among its last two games against Boston or Milwaukee to guarantee itself a location in the play-in tournament next weekend. The Grizzlies might get a break in playing the Celtics, who are locked into the 3rd seed and have absolutely nothing to play for.– Bontemps.
Additional video games.
Pascal Siakam leads the Raptors to a 108-99 win over Memphis with 26 points.
