All the scenarios, all the magic numbers, all the scoreboard enjoying– its all going to be settled and easy to comprehend by close of service on Thursday night.
Heres where its at prior to we get there:
Portland Trail Blazers: win and theyre in (as the 8-seed).
Memphis Grizzlies: win and theyre in (as the No. 8 seed if Portland loses, and the 9-seed if Portland wins).
San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns: win and start hoping for assistance.
Thats the simple method to comprehend it, and the way the four teams are approaching it.
However if teams begin losing, it begins getting a little complex. They can still hold the 8-seed if the other three teams lose if Portland loses. They can hold the 9-seed with a loss and any two of the other three groups lose.
1 RelatedIf Memphis loses, they need San Antonio and Phoenix to lose to hold onto the 9-seed. The Suns are out if they lose but can complete eighth with a win and losses by Portland and Memphis, or Phoenix can end up at No. 9 with a win and a loss by one of the two.
Theyre the 8-seed with a win and losses by the other three teams. Theyre the No. 9 seed with a win and losses by any two of the other three.
Got it?
Regardless, its going to be a frenzied day of games for the 4 teams, trying to combat the urge to glimpse at a scoreboard. The Grizzlies face the leading team in the NBA in the Milwaukee Bucks however captured a big break with Giannis Antetokounmpos one-game suspension. Then again, the Bucks are probably going complete rest mode anyhow.
The Spurs take on the Utah Jazz, who are now locked into their opening-round series against the Denver Nuggets. The Blazers get the Brooklyn Nets, who are locked as the Easts 7-seed. And the Suns, the unbeaten bubble beasts, handle the Dallas Mavericks, who already clinched the 7-seed.
The Grizzlies and Suns tip off simultaneously, the Spurs tip-off as theyre both concluding, and the Blazers have the advantage of knowing precisely whats in front of them as they close the day. Which indicates possible pressure. Which means … Dame Time.
— Royce Young
Heres the current on the standings, the video games to watch Wednesday and Thursday, and everything you need to understand. Examine back for highlights and updates throughout the day.
Aug. 12
Ja Morant and Damian Lillard will attempt to lead their particular groups to a playoff play-in scenario on Thursday. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE through Getty Images
Thursdays must-see video games
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies|4 p.m. ET
Memphis can guarantee itself a shot in the play-in tournament with a triumph against the Bucks, securing at least the No. 9 seed. A win and a loss by Portland later on in the night gets the Grizzlies to the 8th area, providing the upper hand in the play-in.
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The good news for Memphis is it probably will not have to face a full-strength Bucks squad. Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the game while serving a one-game suspension for his head-butt ejection from Tuesdays game. Milwaukee might choose to rest more starters heading into the playoffs with the front runner in the East already locked up.– Andrew Lopez
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns|4 p.m. ET
Like the Grizzlies, the Suns may also take advantage of a group that is looking toward the playoffs instead of going all out in the final seeding video game. With Tuesdays loss to Portland, Dallas is secured to the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The Mavericks might want to rest Luka Doncic (who is balancing 32 points, 11.3 helps, 11 rebounds in 6 bubble games) and Kristaps Porzingis (30.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks in six video games), which could open things up for Phoenix.
Although the Suns are wanting to get to 8-0, a journey to the playoffs isnt ensured. They need among Memphis or Portland to lose, integrated with a win of their own. It would be Phoenixs first eight-game winning streak because 2010, which is also the last time the Suns made the playoffs.– Lopez
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz|6:30 p.m. ET
Prior to Tuesdays game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked what he would have stated if a month ago somebody informed him San Antonio had a possibility to go 6-2 in the bubble and make the playoffs. Popovich kept in mind that when a team doesnt have championship goals, it has to look toward development. Currently No. 6, the Jazz have a possibility to move up a spot if things bounce their method with other games.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Brooklyn Nets|9 p.m. ET
Lillard is balancing a bubble-best 37 points while likewise putting up an average of 9.3 helps in 41.4 minutes. CJ McCollum is the just other gamer in Florida averaging 40 minutes per game as Portland has leaned on its one-two combination to keep the Blazers in playoff contention. Brooklyn is locked in as the No. 7 seed and Jacque Vaughn– training for a chance to continue on as the Nets head coach next season– has his group 5-2 total with 3 straight wins.
Additional games
Full scoreboard for Thursday
If Portland loses, they can still hold the 8-seed if the other 3 teams lose. Regardless, its going to be a frenzied day of video games for the 4 teams, attempting to battle the urge to glimpse at a scoreboard. Like the Grizzlies, the Suns may also benefit from a team that is looking toward the playoffs rather than going all out in the last seeding game. With this now set as a first-round playoff series, anticipate both groups to rest their key gamers in preparation for their showdown starting early next week. What all of that will imply is Reggie Jackson will get a revenge video game against his old group– which most likely methods huge numbers from him (if anybody is in fact playing DFS on the final day of seeding games).
Fridays Must-See Games.
Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors|1:30 p.m. ET.
For both of these teams, the objective will be to get into the playoffs healthy. Denver, which has dealt with injuries throughout the bubble, will likely be exceptionally cautious in this game as it waits on the return of wings Gary Harris and Will Barton.
The very same ought to opt for the protecting champs, who sat rotation players OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka on Wednesday and have actually been cautious with minutes over the past couple of days. Head coach Nick Nurse will likely give the majority of the Raptors regulars the day off.– Tim Bontemps.
Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers|4 p.m. ET.
These two groups satisfied on Monday, and the Heat cruised to a comfy win. With this now set as a first-round playoff series, expect both groups to rest their crucial gamers in preparation for their showdown beginning early next week.– Bontemps.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. LA Clippers|7:30 p.m. ET.
While Chris Paul will be going up versus his old group, its difficult to see him playing much. What all of that will indicate is Reggie Jackson will get a vengeance video game versus his old group– which likely methods big numbers from him (if anyone is actually playing DFS on the last day of seeding video games).
Houston Rockets vs. Philadelphia 76ers|9 p.m. ET.
The focus for these two teams wont be what takes place on the court, but instead what the health of 2 of their biggest stars is off of it. Joel Embiid left Wednesdays game versus Toronto due to the fact that of a wrist injury, while Russell Westbrook remained Houstons loss to Indiana since of a stretched quad.– Bontemps.
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