4 days of seeding games stay, and the West’s play-in race is reaching its breaking level. The seeding games run by Friday, however all related play-in games can be settled by Thursday, when the Portland Path Blazers play the Brooklyn Nets.
There are a lot of eventualities nonetheless in play, however the image will clear at the least just a little after Tuesday. The Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns are closing the hole on the No. Eight Memphis Grizzlies, who may fall out of competition for the play-in match altogether.
The Spurs are first up Tuesday, taking over the Houston Rockets, who’re nonetheless jockeying for place within the Nos. 4-6 seed vary. The Suns are nonetheless rolling, transferring to six-Zero within the bubble, and will face the reeling Philadelphia 76ers. The Grizzlies are 1-5 within the bubble and have a tricky draw to complete, beginning with the Boston Celtics. Boston may relaxation starters with its place locked, however the Celtics have a effective line to toe between being prepared and being rested. Damian Lillard is on a scoring spree, and his Blazers will tackle a Dallas Mavericks workforce nonetheless making an attempt to keep away from a primary-spherical matchup with the LA Clippers.
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Here’s the current situation:
The Grizzlies get the 8-seed if they win their last two games or if they win one and Portland loses one or if Portland loses both, Phoenix loses one and San Antonio loses one. The Blazers get in if they win their last two and Memphis loses one or if they win one and Memphis loses both, with the Spurs and Suns splitting their final two. The Suns get in if they win their last two, the Grizzlies lose their last two and the Blazers split their two. The Spurs get in if they win their last two, Memphis loses both and Portland and Phoenix split their final two.
By the end of business Tuesday, the Grizzlies could lock up No. 8 if they beat the Celtics and the Blazers lose to the Mavericks. That’s the only outcome that could be settled in terms of No. 8.
For the 9-seed? If the Blazers beat the Mavericks and everyone else loses, Portland is at least guaranteed No. 9. Beyond that, things will have to wait until Thursday. — Royce Young
Here’s the latest on the standings, the games to watch Monday and Tuesday, and everything else you need to know. Check back for highlights and updates throughout the day.
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Latest buzz
Tuesday’s clinching scenarios
Here they are, straight from the NBA’s computers:
Memphis clinches a spot in the play-in game with a win OR losses by both Phoenix and San Antonio
Portland clinches a spot in the play-in game with a win AND losses by Phoenix and San Antonio
Phoenix is eliminated with a loss AND a Portland win
San Antonio is eliminated with a loss AND a win by either Portland or Phoenix
So by the end of the day, both of Saturday’s play-in opponents could be set, or neither of them could, in which case we’ll do this dance again on Thursday.
Harden out, Westbrook in for Rockets
The Houston Rockets playing the front end of a back-to-back Tuesday, so James Harden is getting the day off for rest. Though the Rockets will be down one former MVP winner, they’re getting another one back.
Westbrook is back for the squad today! ? pic.twitter.com/VvswB7mmdK
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) August 11, 2021
Russell Westbrook missed the previous two seeding games with a bruised proper quad, however he’ll be within the lineup towards the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Westbrook averaged 25.7 factors and 8.Three assists per recreation in Houston’s first three seeding games.
Tuesday’s should-see games
Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs | 2 p.m. ET
After successful Sunday towards the Pelicans, the Spurs hope to stay alive within the race for a play-in match spot by beating their in-state rivals. Houston has one thing to play for as effectively: The Rockets try to lock within the fourth seed within the Western Convention. — Tim Bontemps
Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies | 5 p.m. ET
Memphis nonetheless has the whole lot to play for and wants a win in a single of its remaining two games towards Boston or Milwaukee to ensure itself a spot within the play-in match subsequent weekend. The Grizzlies may get a break in enjoying the Celtics, who’re locked within the third seed and don’t have anything to play for. — Bontemps
Further games
Full scoreboard for Tuesday
Play-in watch
The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans had been eradicated from postseason competition on Sunday, leaving the chance to make the play-in match to the Grizzlies, Path Blazers, Suns and Spurs. All 4 of these groups play Tuesday with little room for error.
The No. Eight Grizzlies nonetheless have not secured a postseason bid and have to win their final two games to regulate their future. On Tuesday, they play the Celtics, who’ve little to play for and may relaxation starters. The Suns additionally face a tricky East workforce, however the Sixers can be with out Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
The Spurs and Blazers face West groups nonetheless enjoying for their seeding. The Rockets and Mavericks every sit a recreation behind the workforce forward of them, with three and two games left, respectively.
Western Convention
8. Memphis Grizzlies | 33-38 (.465) | —
9. Portland Path Blazers | 33-39 (.458) | 0.5 GB
10. Phoenix Suns | 32-39 (.451) | 1.Zero GB
11. San Antonio Spurs | 31-38 (.449) | 1.Zero GB
Full standings | Playoff matchups
Wednesday’s should-see games
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets| Four p.m. ET
Bubble darling T.J. Warren will look to get again on observe after a disappointing recreation (12 factors, 5-of-14 capturing, 2-of-6 from 3) towards the Miami Warmth. Nonetheless, Warren is averaging 31 factors per recreation within the bubble, with a 57.8/52.4/88.9 capturing line. The Pacers hope that Warren will resume his scoring spree as a result of they’re on observe to face Miami within the first spherical. Houston, in the meantime, can be on the second evening of a again-to-again. Russell Westbrook will miss Wednesday’s recreation for relaxation, although the plan is to have Eric Gordon again. Gordon has not performed in any seeding games as a result of of a sprained ankle. — Andrew Lopez
LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets | 9 p.m. ET
This recreation may find yourself deciding the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention — or depart Denver preventing to not fall to the No. Four seed, relying on Houston’s efficiency. To maneuver up from No. Three to No. 2, Denver must win again-to-again games to complete the seeding games, and the Clippers must drop each of their games. Denver is coming off a 3-level loss to the Lakers wherein Kyle Kuzma’s go-forward 3-pointer with 0.Four left lifted Los Angeles over Denver’s bench, which performed your entire fourth. The Clippers are coming off of two days of relaxation after Sunday’s 129-120 loss to the Nets. It was, nonetheless, Kawhi Leonard’s greatest efficiency within the bubble, as he completed with 39 factors — tied for the third-most factors he has scored in a recreation this season. — Lopez
Further games
Full scoreboard for Wednesday
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