Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) celebrates a three point-basket with teammate Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
With just over a minute left in overtime of the Dallas Mavericks' 136-132 win over the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, Luka Doncic had the unmitigated gall to drop a lefty, on-the-run, in-traffic, between-the-legs bounce pass to a cutting Maxi Kleber, who finished off the dime with an and-1 dunk.
Statistically, the Bucks are a powerhouse. The Mavericks came into Saturday's action with just one win in the bubble at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida. The game was in crunch time. And yet, Luka had the fearlessness necessary to throw this pass for his 19th assist:
"I don't know why I did it," Luka said of the pass. "I just did it. I saw it, I don't know. I didn't think about it before—right in the moment."
He did it because that's just the kind of player he is. He feels the game in a way few ever have. He sees angles and openings that are almost indiscernible from the zoomed-out cameras covering the entirety of the possessions.
And he has a confidence that seems impossible for a 21-year-old.
Mere hours after being announced as a finalist for the 2019-20 Most Improved Player award, Luka put up an outlandish 36 points, 19 assists and 14 rebounds while outplaying Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning (and likely repeat) MVP.
No moment is too big for him. Even one of the greatest defenses of all time (which is what Milwaukee has) appears ready to be picked apart.
"If that wasn't the best game Luka Doncic has ever played, it was close," ESPN's Zach Lowe tweeted. "The list of better games than that, if it exists, is really short. Some of the best passing you will ever see—plus 36 points."
It was his third career game with at least 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook are the only players with more.
And Luka is all by his lonesome when you throw age into the equation. His total of three 30-15-10 games is equal to the rest of NBA history combined for players under 22.
He seems to make history on an almost nightly basis.
If he wins MIP, he'll be alone again, as the only player in league history to back up a Rookie of the Year campaign with that award.
There's almost an unspoken rule to eliminate second-year players from consideration. You're supposed to get better as a sophomore. But maybe we shouldn't be surprised. Luka is wildly unconventional.
As mentioned during ESPN's broadcast of Saturday's game, Doncic moved from Slovenia to Spain as a 13-year-old to begin his professional basketball career. Before he ever donned a Mavericks jersey, he'd already won a EuroLeague championship and a EuroLeague MVP.
The level of play there isn't quite on par with the NBA, but it's closer than many realize. And it prepared Luka in an unprecedented way.
This is not typical Year 2 improvement. This is a basketball veteran making a superstar leap.
In five reboot games, Luka is averaging 33.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 11.6 assists. His season-long marks are up to 29.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists in just 33.9 minutes per contest.
Yes, an uptick in pace and threes have contributed to some of the gaudy numbers we've seen in 2019-20, but the game still isn't as fast as it was in the 1980s. And Luka, as well as some of the game's other heliocentric stars, deserves credit for ably carrying so much responsibility.
Doncic has largely taken over head coach Rick Carlisle's offense (another convention busted, given Carlisle's typical level of control over his teams' attacks). Saturday's numbers were special, but the way he got them wasn't terribly different from how he's played all season.
He's the conductor of almost every possession. He knows where every teammate is on every play. Opponents almost never speed him up. And he has a way of lulling defenders to sleep that makes him look like James Harden:
This is a player who scores like Harden, passes like Magic Johnson and rebounds like Larry Bird. And lest you think those comparisons are too lofty, here are the top five box plus/minuses for players in an age-20 (or younger) season:
LeBron James (8.6)
Luka Doncic (8.5)
Chris Paul (5.2)
Anthony Davis and Magic Johnson (4.8)
It's early, but this is what the start of a legendary career looks like.
The next step, of course, is approaching this level of play in the postseason.
The Mavs are all but locked into a 2-7 matchup with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers. They're deep, experienced and more talented than Dallas. And they'll almost certainly open as heavy betting favorites.
Individually, Luka will likely be hounded by Leonard and George, two of the game's top perimeter defenders. But he's put up solid numbers (26.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists while shooting 48.3 percent from the field) against both during his career.
The playoffs will be different. They always are. Intensity ratchets up. Defenders are generally more focused, especially star defenders.
But just like Luka isn't a typical second-year player, he won't be a typical first-time postseason performer. He plays with an audacity emboldened through years of experience.
The Clippers will likely advance to the second round, but not before Luka puts on a show.
Crunch-time lineups are not one-size-fits-all for most NBA teams. Some squads default to a select group, usually one consisting of their five best healthy players. Many others are more methodical...
Rick Carlisle Says Mavs' Luka Doncic in 'Same Mold' as Larry Bird, Jason Kidd
Aug 9, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic passes away from Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Wesley Matthews, right, during an NBA basketball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Luka Doncic is just 21 years old and comparing his skill set to some of the NBA's all-time greats already seems like the only way to discuss his talent.
Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle did just that Saturday following Doncic's stunning 36-point, 19-assist, 14-rebound performance in a 136-132 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
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"He knows where everybody is not only on offense, but defense," Carlisle told reporters after the game. "That's the sign of a savant-type guy. I've played with Larry Bird, he could see everything like that. I had the privilege of coaching Jason Kidd ... Luka is in that same mold."
Doncic's most spectacular play came late in overtime when he took the ball from Maxi Kleber at the top of the arc, rolled to his left and dished a no-look between the legs pass to a cutting Kleber for an easy dunk and-1.
Asked about the play afterward, Doncic said it was just a natural decision.
"I don't know why I did it," Doncic added. "I just did it. I saw it, I don't know. I didn't think about it before—right in the moment."
The play helped put Dallas up by five with 1:08 left in OT and followed arguably a more eye-popping play before it.
While driving into the paint, three Bucks converged on Doncic as he was getting ready to kiss a shot off the backboard. Instead of attempting the layup, Doncic contorted his body in midair, glided a pass through the wall of defenders around him and found a teammate for an open three-pointer. Unfortunately, the referees called a foul on Eric Bledsoe before the shot got off, robbing Dallas of another highlight-reel play.
Kleber's and-1 on the ensuing play more than made up for it.
On a night when the reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo went off for 34 points and 13 boards, Doncic made him almost irrelevant.
The second-year guard committed just two turnovers to his 19 assists. Only two other Mavericks players have recorded as many helpers, per ESPN Stats & Info: Steve Nash and Kidd.
As Carlisle alluded to, comparing Doncic to all-time greats is becoming the norm.
Luka Doncic's Triple-Double Leads Mavericks to 136-132 Win vs. Giannis, Bucks
Aug 8, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) celebrates a three point-basket with teammate Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Luka Doncic' 36-point, 19-assist, 14-rebound triple-double propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a 136-132 overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, on Saturday.
Dallas was down 119-112 with under two minutes remaining in regulation but went on a 7-0 run capped by two Doncic free throws to force overtime.
The Mavs opened OT on a 9-0 run, but the Bucks responded with seven straight.
Two Mavs possessions later, Doncic produced the play of the game (and maybe the entire NBA restart) with this between-the-legs pass to Maxi Kleber for an and-1, putting the Mavs up five.
Dallas held on for the win down the stretch and improved to 2-3 during the restart and 42-30 overall.
The Mavs, who have clinched a playoff berth, are two games behind the Utah Jazz for sixth in the Western Conference with three regular-season contests remaining.
The 55-15 Bucks have already clinched first in the East.
Mavericks F Dorian Finney-Smith: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
Doncic's Performance Defies Explanation
Doncic, a 21-year-old who has played fewer than two NBA seasons, just dropped a 39-point triple-double against reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who own the league's best record as well as a top-10 all-time point differential, per StatMuse.
Doncic has averaged 33.4 points, 11.6 assists and 11.6 rebounds per game since the NBA's restart began July 30. He's the youngest-ever player to earn a 35-15-10 stat line, per Stat Muse, breaking the mark of the original GOAT:
Luka Doncic tonight:
36 PTS 14 REB 19 AST
He passes Michael Jordan to become the youngest player with a 35/10/15 game in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/6slue3y1BZ
Doncic has been the NBA's king of triple-doubles, and he might end as the league's all-time leader as well at this rate. ESPN Stats & Info posted more mind-boggling numbers:
Luka Doncic had 36 points, 14 rebounds and a career-high 19 assists in the Mavericks OT win over the Bucks. He now has a league best 17 triple-doubles this season.
He's simply invincible right now, to the point where he can throw between-the-legs passes in crunch time. Even Doncic didn't have much of an explanation for that one, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon:
Luka Doncic on this between-the-legs dime in OT: "I don't know why I did it. I just did it. I saw it, I don't know. I didn't think about it before -- right in the moment." https://t.co/JL5PzeiceS
After the game, Antetokounmpo, who is all but certain to win his second straight MVP, gave praise to Doncic's effort:
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (36 points, 14 rebounds, 19 assists): “Makes his teammates better. Talented. Really talented. One of the most talented players I’ve ever played against.” pic.twitter.com/AC6nKc42rz
Doncic's Mavs have three more games before the playoffs. It's a standard cliche to say that no team wants to face [insert lower-seeded sleeper team here] in the postseason, but that's exactly the case with Doncic and the Mavs, who will never be out of any game if the point guard's 30-point triple-doubles become a nightly norm now.
What's Next?
Dallas and Milwaukee will close their respective regular seasons with three games in four days beginning Monday.
The Mavs will face the Jazz at 3 p.m. ET, and the Bucks will play the Toronto Raptors at 6:30 p.m. in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch.
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George Help Clippers Hold off Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Aug 6, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) drives around Dallas Mavericks' Trey Burke (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Two days after losing on a Devin Booker buzzer-beater, the Los Angeles Clippers earned some redemption with a 126-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a potential first-round playoff matchup.
The victory keeps the Mavs from gaining ground on the Houston Rockets and the sixth seed in the Western Conference, while Los Angeles extends its lead over the Denver Nuggets for the No. 2 seed. The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the No. 1 seed Monday.
Meanwhile, Dallas has yet to defeat a team above .500 since the restart began in late July. The Mavericks are now 1-3 inside the bubble with four games to play.
Notable Performers:
Paul George, SG, Los Angeles Clippers: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers: 29 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers: 21 points, 15 rebounds (10-of-10 shooting)
If Thursday was a preview of a first-round playoff matchup between the Mavericks and Clippers, NBA fans are in for some nonstop, highlight-reel action.
As much as the Clippers victory was a team effort, Thursday was mostly a battle between Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis against Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
It certainly delivered.
Dallas' duo offers a unique challenge for Los Angeles with both Porzingis and Doncic capable of pulling noted defenders like Leonard and George out of their position or expose weaknesses in the paint like when Doncic found Porzingis for a dunk late in the second half.
“They’ve got Luka and Porzingis out there who can do it all," Leonard told TNT's Chris Haynes on the court afterward. "Shoot the three, drive to the paint, pass and when you got guys like that on that end and floor spacers with Hardaway, it’s hard to beat that team.”
In most cases, Leonard on Doncic is a matchup that LA wants, except Doncic is easily able to take advantage of the situation with his lob partner coming over the top. Without Montrezl Harrell in the bubble, there are few bigs on the Clippers' roster who can move with the agility guarding the Mavs in the paint requires.
But those mismatches work on the opposite end of the floor, too, with Leonard and George able to use their range and spacing to create open looks that would otherwise pull Dallas' defense away from the paint and give up an easy two—like Ivica Zubac was able to do all night.
Thursday's result was much needed for a Clippers team coming off a rather stunning defeat against the Suns.
The win gave the Clippers a season sweep (3-0) against Dallas and kept them a game ahead of the Nuggets pending their Thursday game against the Portland Trail Blazers. What makes it even sweeter is that the Clippers are still working their way back to full strength.
Lou Williams played just his second game inside the bubble after an extended quarantine and is still getting back into game rhythm. Patrick Beverley missed the contest with a strained left calf, and Harrell has yet to return to Orlando.
On the latter front, the forward has been with his family mourning the loss of his grandmother. ESPN'sOhm Youngmisukreported August 1 that Clippers coach Doc Rivers told Harrell to take as much time as he needed. Still, the team expects him to rejoin the club at some point this season.
Whenever he does, it'll take time to adjust. With the Clippers hanging onto the No. 2 seed and with four games left before the postseason begins, there's plenty of time to continue ironing out any issues on the floor, especially during victories like Thursday's.
What's Next
The Mavericks' schedule only gets more difficult with a game against the Milwaukee Bucks up next on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. It's the middle game of a stretch featuring three of the league's top teams with a Monday night matchup against the Utah Jazz serving as the bookend.
Los Angeles won't get much of a break either with the Portland Trail Blazers up next Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on TNT.
NBA Playoff Standings 2020: Latest Team Records, Seeds and Bracket Picture
Aug 5, 2020
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker dribbles against the Los Angeles Clippers during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
The Phoenix Suns won't go down without a fight.
On Tuesday night, they pushed their record inside the bubble to 3-0 with their most impressive triumph to date. Behind 35 points and one incredible buzzer-beater from All-Star guard Devin Booker, the Suns knocked off Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns are still fighting an uphill battle to force a play-in tournament, let alone claim an actual postseason spot. But they are proving they deserved their invite to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and if they keep this up, they could extend their stay longer than anyone could've imagined.
We'll update the latest standings and playoff seedings below, then examine the best individual matchups from the currently projected first-round series.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks (54-14)
2. x-Toronto Raptors (48-18)
3. x-Boston Celtics (44-23)
4. x-Miami Heat (43-25)
5. x-Indiana Pacers (42-26)
6. x-Philadelphia 76ers (40-27)
7. Brooklyn Nets (32-35)
8. Orlando Magic (32-36)
9. Washington Wizards (24-43)
Western Conference
1. x-Los Angeles Lakers (51-15)
2. x-Los Angeles Clippers (45-22)
3. x-Denver Nuggets (44-23)
4. x-Houston Rockets (42-25)
5. x-Utah Jazz (42-25)
6. x-Oklahoma City Thunder (41-25)
7. x-Dallas Mavericks (41-29)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (32-36)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (31-38)
10. San Antonio Spurs (29-37)
11 New Orleans Pelicans (29-38)
12. Phoenix Suns (29-39)
13. Sacramento Kings (28-39)
*x = clinched playoff berth
Playoff Picture
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic
No. 4 Miami Heat vs. No. 5 Indiana Pacers
No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers
No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets
Western Conference
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies
No. 4 Houston Rockets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz
No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Oklahoma City Thunder
No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks
Best Potential Individual Matchups of the First Round
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat, vs. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
The battle of the big man might feel like a relic from basketball's past, but seeing these contemporary centers tango would be a treat.
Adebayo is the rare playmaking 5, possessing an unfair blend of handles and vision for his size (6'9", 255 lbs). Turner is a 6'11" floor spacer. He can score around the basket, too, but Indy often uses his three-point stroke (career 36.0 percent) to balance their attack.
Defensively, these are two of the best bigs in the business. Adebayo has the mobility and lateral quickness of a wing, so when he gets switched on to a perimeter player, it's an advantage for Miami. Turner is an intimidating presence in the middle—he swatted a league-leading 2.7 shots a night last season—and he's comfortable defending in space.
If Victor Oladipo was definitely playing and free from the rust he's displayed, his one-on-one tussle with Jimmy Butler might deserve this spot. But since there are question marks around Oladipo, this series could be decided in the frontcourt.
James Harden, Houston Rockets, vs. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Harden and Mitchell are appointment-viewing players on the offensive end. Watching them put on a fireworks display together should be a dream.
As hyperbolic as this will sound, Harden is the best scorer we've seen this side of Michael Jordan. Harden is closing in on his third consecutive scoring title. Last season, he became the first player since Jordan (and only the fourth ever) to average at least 36 points, per Stathead. This year, he became just the 11th player to average 30-plus points in three different seasons.
Mitchell isn't on that level, but given his importance to this offense—especially with Bojan Bogdanovic shelved for the restart—he may as well be. With no Bogdanovic, Mitchell averages nearly nine more points (24.1 to 15.4) and seven more shots (19.5 to 12.8) than anyone else on the team (reserve Jordan Clarkson comes closest in both). Mitchell is only the fifth player of the 2000s to start his career with three seasons of 20-plus points per game.
Either flamethrower is worth a watch here, and since neither is exactly a suffocating stopper, they could even boost the other's production.
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, vs. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
In a superstars' league, it doesn't get any better than watching two superstars lock horns under the playoff spotlight.
Leonard is either on a short list of the NBA's best two-way players or he leads that discussion. A two-time Finals MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, his first campaign back in his native Los Angeles has been a roaring success. In addition to positioning his club to contend for a title, he's posting personal bests in points (26.8) and assists (4.9).
Doncic followed his eye-opening rookie season by rocketing into the elite tier. He won't take home the MVP award—Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James are battling it out for that honor—but Doncic should collect votes, which is no minor feat for a 21-year-old. He's a top-five scorer (29.0 points, fifth) and distributor (8.8 assists, third), and he's the biggest reason Dallas has the highest offensive rating in history.
These two mean so much to their respective teams that they may not spend a ton of time actually going head-to-head. Their coaches won't want to drain their energy by asking them to defend the other. But that will just make those sequences where they do get matched up even sweeter.
Video: Mavericks' Luka Doncic Makes NBA History with 30-20-10 Triple-Double
Aug 4, 2020
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against the Sacramento Kings in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
The Dallas Mavericks star had 34 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists in Tuesday's 114-110 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings, becoming the youngest player with a 30-20-10 game in NBA history at 21 years old. He is also just the fourth player since the ABA-NBA merger to pull off the feat.
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While the feat is historically rare, it did already happen once this season. Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic put up 30 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in February against the Utah Jazz.
DeMarcus Cousins (2018) and David Lee (2010) are the only other two players to go 30-20-10 since the merger.
Oscar Robertson was previously the youngest player with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a regular-season game at age 23. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the youngest including the playoffs at age 22.
NBA Playoff Picture 2020: Reviewing Latest Bracket Scenarios for East, West
Aug 4, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, slaps hands with guard LeBron James during an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)
The NBA's 2020 playoff picture moved one step closer to crystallizing with Monday's six-game slate.
The Los Angeles Lakers locked up the West's No. 1 seed behind a monster effort from Anthony Davis (42 points and 12 rebounds). The Denver Nuggets bought themselves some critical breathing room with a victory keyed by rookie Michael Porter Jr. (career-high 37 points and 12 rebounds). The New Orleans Pelicans increased Zion Williamson's minutes and followed his lead (23 points and five assists) to a critical win.
The postseason field isn't settled, but it's never looked clearer. With every club down to six seeding games or less, it's the perfect time to update the playoff picture and examine three potential first-round matchups if these standings hold true.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. x-Milwaukee Bucks (54-13)
2. x-Toronto Raptors (48-18)
3. x-Boston Celtics (44-22)
4. x-Miami Heat (42-25)
5. x-Indiana Pacers (41-26)
6. x-Philadelphia 76ers (40-27)
7. Orlando Magic (32-35)
8. Brooklyn Nets (31-35)
9. Washington Wizards (24-43)
Western Conference
1. x-Los Angeles Lakers (51-15)
2. x-Los Angeles Clippers (45-21)
3. x-Denver Nuggets (44-23)
4. x-Houston Rockets (42-24)
5. x-Utah Jazz (42-25)
6. x-Oklahoma City Thunder (41-25)
7. x-Dallas Mavericks (40-29)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (32-36)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (30-38)
10. San Antonio Spurs (29-37)
11 New Orleans Pelicans (29-38)
12. Sacramento Kings (28-38)
13. Phoenix Suns (28-39)
*x = clinched playoff berth
Playoff Picture
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Brooklyn Nets
No. 4 Miami Heat vs. No. 5 Indiana Pacers
No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers
No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic
Western Conference
No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies
No. 4 Houston Rockets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz
No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Oklahoma City Thunder
No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks
Most Intriguing First-Round Matchups
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
There's a problematic opponent for every team in the Eastern Conference, and the 76ers seem like that pesky matchup for the Celtics. The clubs met four times during the regular season, and Philly rolled out the victory cigars after three of them.
The Sixers' size presents obvious challenges for a Celtics team that lost Al Horford over the offseason (to Philadelphia, coincidentally) and opted against replacing him with a household name. Joel Embiid bullied Boston in one of the wins (38 points, 13 boards on Dec. 12), and Ben Simmons keyed another (24 points, nine assists on Oct. 23).
"I'll say it: This is the team in the East that scares me the most," DJ Bean wrote for NBC Sports Boston. "They'd been either a mess or injured all season, yet the only thing they seemed to do consistently was beat the Celtics, thanks largely to the size discrepancy."
Boston did, however, take the last meeting with ease (a 116-95 triumph on Feb. 1) and may have found a way to flummox Embiid. The Celtics sent extra defenders his direction throughout the contest and held him to a dismal 1-of-11 performance.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas would be climbing up a weight class in this series and wouldn't have the greatest chance of surviving and advancing. But the Mavs are built to at least make the Clippers sweat.
While Luka Doncic is a handful for any defense—yes, even one featuring both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George—the real challenge is Kristaps Porzingis. L.A. has kept him in check so far (25 points on 30 shots in the two matchups), but it can't replicate his size-athleticism combination. Plus, it hasn't seen his supernova version that's blitzing the bubble (34.5 points on 50.0/38.5/81.8 shooting through two games).
"We don't want to try to go too far ahead," Porzingis told reporters in July. "But I think all of our mind-sets are that we're a dangerous team, and I think we can surprise people."
Shocking the hoops world is probably out of the question, since Dallas' deficiencies on the defensive perimeter would be glaring in a series against Leonard, George and Lou Williams. Still, the Mavs have the offensive firepower to potentially steal a couple wins.
Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Given the markets and the (relative) lack of star power, this probably wouldn't be the most-watched matchup of the opening round. But for basketball junkies, this could be as good as it gets.
Despite having the bruising Steven Adams manning the middle, the Thunder have been thrown around by the Nuggets' All-Star center Nikola Jokic. In three previous meetings—two of them Denver wins—Jokic nearly averaged a triple-double (30.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists) while shooting 66.0 percent from the field.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, have had trouble containing 10-time All-Star Chris Paul, which makes sense given Jamal Murray's inconsistency. Paul has not only averaged 22.3 points in the three matchups, but he has also pieced together an absurd 57.1/42.9/81.3 shooting slash in the process.
Watching how each side attempts to deal with the other's star is the primary draw, but it doesn't hurt that this series would also include some of the league's most intriguing up-and-comers. With Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol on one side, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort on the other, there's no shortage of young talent.
NBA's Top Stats, Best Highlights, Updated Playoff Picture from Aug. 2 Results
Aug 2, 2020
Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook moves the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during an NBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
If your only plan for Sunday was to watch the latest crop of NBA games in Orlando, Florida, congratulations on an excellent choice. Five of the six games on tap for Aug. 2 were decided by single digits, and not a single team scored under 100 points. There were inspiring rallies, thwarted comebacks, clutch plays and much, much more.
Sunday's slate of games also provided a bit more clarity for the playoff picture, with one team clinching its spot in the postseason.
Here's a rundown of the top performers, plays and more as the first weekend of NBA action in the bubble came to a close.
August 2 Scores, Stats & Highlights
Nets 118, Wizards 110
Caris LeVert (BKN): 34 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST
Joe Harris (BKN): 27 PTS, 7 REB
Jarrett Allen (BKN: 22 PTS, 15 REB
Thomas Bryant (WAS): 30 PTS, 13 REB
Troy Brown Jr. (WAS): 22 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST
The Brooklyn Nets took a big step toward making the playoffs with a 118-110 over the Wizards to start off Sunday's action.
Both teams were playing without their biggest stars. No Bradley Beal, John Wall or Davis Bertans for the Wizards, while Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan (among others) were not available for the Nets.
Despite all the talent off the court, the product on it was excellent. Washington jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, but the Nets woke up shortly after that. The two teams then traded buckets and kept the score close right up until the final couple minutes in a free-flowing, back-and-forth affair.
Caris LeVert, who was an unsolvable riddle for the Wizards with a game-high 34 points, took over at the end of the game, scoring eight points in the final three minutes to give the Nets the breathing room they needed to secure the win.
While LeVert, Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen did the heavy lifting with the scoring, they weren't the only reasons the Nets were able to pull out a win. Chris Chiozza clearly brought his bag of tricks with him to Orlando:
In a tough loss, Thomas Bryant was a bright spot for the Wizards. The 23-year-old center scored 30 points on 60 percent shooting from the floor. He also knocked down four three-pointers in the first half.
The Wizards are back in action Monday against the Indiana Pacers and will need to get hot quickly in order to force a play-in game against the Nets for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Boston Celtics may have won this high-scoring contest against the Portland Trail Blazers, but they could have made it much easier on themselves.
The Celtics were hot right from the start, racing out to a 37-24 lead by the end of the first quarter. Thanks to sublime shooting from Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown, they maintained a comfortable advantage and were up by 20 points deep into the third quarter.
When a guy like Tatum is in this deep of a groove, there's not much you can do as a defense:
The Blazers finally started to claw their way back late in the third, with the comeback effort getting a spark from this absurd shot by Damian Lillard:
Portland took a 101-98 lead with about nine minutes left in the first quarter, the team's first lead since the opening seconds of the game. The game was a fierce battle from that point on, but a clutch shot from Brown helped the Celtics maintain a slim advantage late.
The Blazers would cut the Celtics' lead to one with 3.4 seconds remaining, but Gordon Hayward hit two free throws and then Jusuf Nurkic's ensuing inbound pass went out of bounds, sealing their fate.
The Celtics as a team shot 60 percent from three-point range, with Tatum, Brown, and Hayward combining to go 15-of-21 from deep. Tatum's all-around effort has to make Boston feel good about its chances in the playoffs.
The Blazers got another big game out of Lillard, and Nurkic's play is also encouraging. They're on the edge of playoff contention and have a pivotal contest coming up on Tuesday against the Houston Rockets.
Spurs 108, Grizzlies 106
Dejounte Murray (SAS): 21 PTS, 10 REB
Derrick White (SAS): 16 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST
Ja Morant (MEM): 25 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST
The Spurs won a nail-biter against the Grizzlies on Sunday, a result that had big implications for four teams.
Memphis' loss not only allowed the Blazers and Spurs to stay within striking range of the eighth spot in the West, but it also secured a playoff spot for the Dallas Mavericks. Per ESPN.com's Tim McMahon, the Mavs can finish no lower than seventh in the West, avoiding a possible play-in game.
The Spurs, playing without LaMarcus Aldridge, got the win thanks to a balanced team effort. Six players scored in double figures, led by Dejounte Murray's 21 points (he also led the team with 10 rebounds).
Despite shooting just 23.3 percent from three-point range, the Grizzlies never really let the game get away from them. Just as he has been all season, rookie Ja Morant was a constant source of inspiration. He led the team with 25 points and dazzled as a distributor as well.
The Spurs had an 11-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies kept their cool and closed the gap late. In the end, it was veteran DeMar DeRozan who came to the Spurs' rescue.
This clip shows the two clutch buckets he made late, including one of his patented mid-range jumpers.
With 10 seconds left, the Grizzlies tied the game at 106 thanks to a Jaren Jackson Jr. three-pointer, but DeRozan was not done playing hero, sinking two clutch free throws with one second left in the game to give the Spurs the win.
While they're still on the outside looking in, the Spurs have a chance to extend their 22-season playoff streak if they keep up the clutch play. Their next game is Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Memphis will look to bounce back Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Magic 132, Kings 116
Nikola Vucevic (ORL): 23 PTS, 11 REB, 2 STL
Aaron Gordon (ORL): 22 PTS, 5 REB
Terrence Ross (ORL): 25 PTS
Harry Giles III (SAC): 23 PTS, 8 REB
Not every game can be a thriller. The Orlando Magic were feeling it on the offensive end of the floor from the first minute to the last and ended up cruising to a 132-116 win over the Sacramento Kings as a result.
A long-range buzzer beater from Markelle Fultz was a perfect capstone to a first quarter that saw the Magic score an eye-popping 44 points:
Aaron Gordon was a big part of the early onslaught, as he scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half. The team kept the good times rolling right on into the second half. This assist from D.J. Augustin was particularly slick:
There wasn't a whole lot for Kings fans to love about this game, although Harry Giles III had a nice game coming off the bench, scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Maybe it's the fact that they're the only team playing in their hometown, but the Magic look like they are completely in sync in the bubble. They can't afford to get comfortable, though, as they are seventh in the East and just half a game ahead of the Nets.
Orlando did suffer a blow during this game, when Jonathan Isaac landed awkwardly on his leg early in the fourth quarter and had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair, per SportsCenter. Hopefully, it isn't too serious.
The game with the most star power on Sunday did not disappoint. The three most recent MVPs—Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden and Russell Westbrook—all had big games, and the Milwaukee Bucks also a couple of great performances from Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez in a contest that went down to the wire.
While the individual showings were great, the Rockets made history as a team. Per the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen, Houston matched the NBA regulation record for three-point attempts with 61 (they made 21 of them). Harden and PJ Tucker were the main culprits, with both of them going 3-for-12 from distance.
Harden had a tough night shooting, but he still managed 24 points. His best work actually came on defense, where he had six steals. The one in the following clip was the most important, as it helped cap off a 9-0 run that saw Houston take a 113-112 lead with just under two minutes left in the game.
That heroic stand was made all the more impressive by the fact that The Greek Freak had a game-high 36 points and looked almost impossible to defend on several occasions earlier in the game.
The Rockets were able to hold onto the win late thanks to clutch free-throw shooting from Westbrook and Danuel House Jr. The win pushes them into fifth in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the loss, Milwaukee missed out on clinching top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Suns 117, Mavericks 115
Devin Booker (PHX): 30 PTS, 4 AST
Ricky Rubio (PHX): 20 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST
Cameron Johnson (PHX): 19 PTS, 12 REB
Luka Doncic (DAL): 40 PTS, 8 REB, 11 AST
Kristaps Porzingis (DAL): 30 PTS, 8 REB, 4 BLK
The Dallas Mavericks got massive performances from Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on Sunday, but it was the Phoenix Suns who came away with the win, their second in Orlando.
The Mavericks were in control early on thanks to Doncic and Porzingis. They had a double-digit lead by the tail end of the first quarter and played the Suns about even in the second frame.
One of the better plays came early in the second quarter, when Boban Marjanovic got a wide-open lane and dunked over a helpless Ricky Rubio.
Rubio was on the wrong end of that highlight, but he created a few of his own on a night that saw him score 20 points and get within striking range of a triple-double.
The veteran point guard's best moments saw him get very crafty. Here he is making a great nutmeg pass in one clip and then creating a little alley for himself in the paint with a good ball fake.
Porzingis and Doncic combined for 70 points in this one, and their two-man game was excellent. Their chemistry was on full display with this alley-oop in the third quarter:
Eventually, Phoenix climbed all the way back. Booker showed off his brilliance throughout the game, making a number of tough shots. The Suns took a slim lead early in the fourth quarter and kept the high-wire act going until the end of the game. Doncic tried to rally the Mavs late with six points in the final two minutes, but it wasn't enough.
A big part of the Mavericks' problem was three-point shooting. As a team, they knocked down just six of their 31 attempts from beyond the arc. The Suns weren't much better from downtown with a 36.4 percent rate, but it was enough to get the job done.
It's a tough loss for the Mavericks, but the result isn't as disappointing as it might have been. They have already clinched a playoff spot, and fighting for a higher seed isn't as big of a deal without a true home-court advantage at stake.
Updated Playoff Picture
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks (54-13)
2. Toronto Raptors (47-18)
3. Boston Celtics (44-22)
4. Miami Heat (42-24)
5. Indiana Pacers (40-26)
6. Philadelphia 76ers (39-27)
7. Orlando Magic (32-35)
8. Brooklyn Nets (31-35)
9. Washington Wizards (24-42)
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers (50-15)
2. Los Angeles Clippers (45-21)
3. Denver Nuggets (43-23)
4. Utah Jazz (42-24)
5. Houston Rockets (42-24)
6. Oklahoma City Thunder (41-24)
7. Dallas Mavericks (40-29)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (32-35)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (30-38)
10. San Antonio Spurs (29-36)
11. Sacramento Kings (28-38)
12. New Orleans Pelicans (28-38)
13. Phoenix Suns (28-39)
Luka Doncic, Mavericks Clinch 2020 NBA Playoff Spot After Spurs Beat Grizzlies
Aug 2, 2020
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates a three-pointer scored by Dallas Mavericks forward Boban Marjanovic, not pictured, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Dallas. Dallas won 130-111. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
The playoff drought in Dallas is finally over.
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, the Mavericks have clinched their spot in the postseason on Sunday, thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies' 108-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
After entering the league's hiatus on March 11 at 40-27, Dallas had eight games remaining in the regular season when the NBA restart began on July 30. Though they dropped their first game in Orlando on Friday, they are now headed to the postseason.
That news was music to the ears of Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki:
Mavs are back in the playoffs!!! Can’t wait. Let’s go!!!
In the era of Big Threes in the NBA, Dallas seemingly secured its playoff spot with just two key players, though it's hard to find another duo like Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The two helped torch the Southwest Division, where the Mavs are 10-4, and helped set up the team for a title run.
Even after Dwight Powell went on injured reserve and Doncic dealt with an ankle issue for the better part of the season, the Mavericks still comfortably held on to their playoff position following the All-Star break. That was also helped by minimal tinkering to the roster throughout the season.
Dallas acquired Willie Cauley-Stein to fill in for Powell, and that was about all it took to solidify the roster. The supporting cast of Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Jalen Brunson and JJ Barea proved more than enough to get the job done.
Mostly that's because the walking triple-double that is Doncic (28.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.7 assists)and the offensive mismatch created by Porzingis (19.6 points and 9.6 rebounds) opened up enough space for the rest of the Mavs to operate with ease.
Now they'll test their game plan—and their superstars—in the postseason.
Dallas hasn't advanced past the opening round since winning the title in 2010-11 as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
With Doncic and Porzingis leading the way, it seems like that streak is due to end sooner than later, as well.
