With a 124-121 win by the Portland Trail Blazers over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening, the door was officially slammed shut on the playoff possibilities of the New Orleans Pelicans.
It was a disappointing result for a Pelicans group who came into the bubble feeling great about their possibilities of catching the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed, or a minimum of making it to the play-in tournament.
Instead, New Orleans stumbled out of the gate with losses to the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers. After getting a win over the Grizzlies, New Orleans dropped another big game to the Sacramento Kings. A win over the Washington Wizards offered some glimmer of hope prior to a loss to the San Antonio Spurs (and Portlands win) meant the Pelicans would have an early exit from Florida.
In spite of the easiest schedule in the bubble, New Orleans was dealt a tough hand when novice Zion Williamson had to leave the team on July 16 to handle a family medical emergency situation. He returned on July 24 and quarantined for four days after that, however missed out on all three of New Orleans skirmishes.
Due to the fact that of that, the Pelicans plan for Williamson had him on a “burst restriction” for the early video games, and the medical team was enjoying his minutes throughout the seeding video games.
In 5 video games (he was held out versus the Wizards for rest), Williamson averaged simply 20.7 minutes a contest and balanced 18.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 55.9 percent from the field. He likewise was unable to come up with a steal or a block in any video game.
On Sunday versus the Spurs, the Pelicans turned the ball over 20 times, which developed into 30 points for San Antonio. That was a typical style throughout New Orleans video games – they permitted 23.2 points per game off turnovers, second-worst of any group through Sundays video games.
Heading into the season, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin stated that the goal for the year was to play significant video games late into the season with an opportunity to make the playoffs. While there is a level of disappointment that New Orleans failed in Florida, getting that experience for significant video games late was something the Pelicans young core can grow from.
Griffin has some choices ahead of him as the Pelicans attempt to determine what follows. Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has one year left on his contract. New Orleans likewise has choices to make contract-wise with restricted free representative to be, Most Improved Player award finalist and first-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, extension-eligible point player Lonzo Ball and reserve wing Josh Hart, and veteran free agents Derrick Favors and ETwaun Moore.
Likewise, will the Pelicans keep shooting guard Jrue Holiday around or capitalize and attempt on his trade worth this offseason?
Before those decisions come, New Orleans still has two video games left. And the goal for those games is clear – a minimum of to Williamson.
” Go out there and try to win,” Williamson said. “Thats always the objective.”– Andrew Lopez
Here is a take a look at all of Sundays clinching and removal situations as we march towards the postseason, courtesy of ESPN Stats & & Information:
Play-in watch.
We have a play-in in the West! And the fight continues Sunday evening in the bubble with both the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds still up for grabs. Basically, things are getting fascinating.
Memphis was up to Toronto in their bid to clinch an area in the play-in. The San Antonio Spurs topped the New Orleans Pelicans, who have now been knocked out of postseason contention.
The Blazers returned in the win column Sunday after an important loss on Saturday to a Clippers team that rested Kawhi Leonard and sat Paul George down the stretch.
The Sacramento Kings have actually been eliminated with Portlands win.
2 first-round matches were secured this weekend in the East. The Nets beat the Clippers Sunday night to secure the No. 7 seed and a date with the No. 2 Raptors. The Magic lost to the Celtics in overtime, setting up a first-round conference with the No. 1 Bucks.
Western Conference.
1.0 GB11. Phoenix Suns
Full standings|Playoff matches.
And to make it even better, the Heat and Pacers have identical records. And while seeding in a 4/5 match does not matter, you never understand– having those virtual fans in your corner in a Game 7 could be the difference.– Young.
Additional video games.
Complete scoreboard for Monday.
Damian Lillard records his fifth 50-point game this season, scoring 51 on the 76ers on Sunday to lead the Trail Blazers to a 124-121 win.
Steven Adams is a huge fan.
Adams didnt bet the Wizards– OKC won easily 121-103– but a huge cutout of the Thunder huge guy did make its method into the virtual crowd.
Throwback threads: All-Canada edition.
The Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies took us back to the 90s– and north of the border– with these throwback jerseys Sunday afternoon. (In case you were questioning, Toronto won the all-time series 7-4 over the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1995 to 2001.).
They listened https://t.co/78xXvJNOtA— 5-0 (@Suns) August 9, 2020.
After getting a win over the Grizzlies, New Orleans dropped another huge video game to the Sacramento Kings. A win over the Washington Wizards offered some glimmer of hope before a loss to the San Antonio Spurs (and Portlands win) suggested the Pelicans would have an early exit from Florida.
Griffin has some choices ahead of him as the Pelicans try to figure out what comes next. Of course, both the Raptors and Bucks are successfully locked into their positions and are as much focusing on health and recovery as they are wins in their last seeding games. And while seeding in a 4/5 match does not matter, you never ever know– having those virtual fans on your side in a Game 7 could be the difference.
Keep the traditional jersey matches coming pic.twitter.com/KN2OQeFT2q— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020.
Heres the current on the standings, the video games to view Sunday and Monday, plus whatever you need to know. Inspect back here for highlights and updates throughout the day.
Aug. 8
The Suns have quickly become the most significant Philadelphia 76ers fans on the planet, as Philly takes on the Portland Trail Blazers this evening. Phoenix is a half video game behind Portland for the No. 9 seed.
Analysis and Intel.
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Could Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic take control of the league? A look at the competition that could define a generation.
New NBA playoff predictions: Can the Suns get the 8-seed?
Phoenix is 5-0 in the bubble. How is the six-team race shaping up now? Here are the most recent projections.
Everything is going right for Phoenix.
The West is officially getting a play-in video game for the No. 8 seed. The Phoenix Suns want in– theyre 5-0 so far throughout their pursuit– and they got some aid from the defending champs on Sunday.
Sunday nights must-see video games.
Theres a cutout of Steven Adams in the virtual crowd for todays Thunder video game pic.twitter.com/ecFQRCWfn1— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020.
Latest buzz
Dame drops 51 on the Sixers, removing the Pelicans and Kings
Mondays must-see games.
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks|6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The leading two seeds in the East, a rematch of the 2019 Eastern Conference finals, and 2 excellent, well-coached groups. Of course, both the Raptors and Bucks are efficiently locked into their positions and are as much focusing on health and recovery as they are wins in their final seeding games.
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat|8 p.m. ET.
Bubble beef! T.J. Warren and Jimmy Butler scuffled back in January, which resulted in Butler saying Warren is “garbage,” Warren getting ejected and Butler then blowing him a goodbye kiss. Now, the Pacers are one of the hottest teams and Warren is the bubbles leading scorer.
Full scoreboard for Sunday.
play1:59.
Hey @sixers, what he stated.
Thank you for him https://t.co/qTeE6ixrnB— 5-0 (@Suns) August 9, 2020.
The Toronto Raptors have actually clinched the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conferences No. 2 seed. The Boston Celtics are now locked into the No. 3 seed.
The Houston Rockets clinched the Southwest Division title.
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings have actually been removed from playoff contention.
