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...
NBA's Top Stats, Best Highlights, Updated Playoff Picture from Aug. 8 Results
Aug 8, 2020
Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren (1) celebrates with guard Aaron Holiday (3) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
Only one postseason spot remains in the NBA playoff race, but a Portland Trail Blazers loss means the Western Conference isn't decided quite yet.
Early on Saturday, the Los Angeles Clippers upended the Blazers. Combined with the Phoenix Suns' win over the Miami Heat, the West is likely headed to a play-in tournament. The lingering question, though, is whether it will be Portland, Phoenix, the San Antonio Spurs or the New Orleans Pelicans.
But as that resolution waits in the future, we're reviewing what happened in Saturday's action around the league.
Los Angeles Clippers 122, Portland Trail Blazers 117
CJ McCollum (POR): 29 PTS, 8 AST
Damian Lillard (POR): 22 PTS, 5 AST
Paul George (LAC): 21 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
Four players eclipsed 20 points for the Blazers, but a balanced offensive effort carried the Clippers past Portland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nxa0c1ke-g
Paul George paced L.A. with 21 points, and five more contributed at least 12. Rodney McGruder drilled a go-ahead three in the closing minute, and the Clippers sealed the victory with a pair of free throws from both JaMychal Green and Landry Shamet.
The loss stung Portland, however.
"We've got to do a better job of executing and putting them away earlier," CJ McCollum said, per Joe Freeman of Oregon Live.
Although the Blazers are still in a respectable spot to force a play-in tournament, with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs, Pelicans and Suns each within a game of Portland.
Denver Nuggets 134, Utah Jazz 132 (2OT)
Nikola Jokic (DEN): 30 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST
Jamal Murray (DEN): 23 PTS, 12 REB, 8 AST
Donovan Mitchell (UTA): 35 PTS, 8 AST
The Utah Jazz held a 14-point halftime lead, but the Denver Nuggets fought back to earn an overtime win in this key seeding game.
Nikola Jokic scored 30 points, and both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. added 23 for the Nuggets. With the victory, Denver moved two games ahead of the Houston Rockets and three in front of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jazz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nxa0c1ke-g
Since only three games remain in the regular-season portion of the bubble, Denver finds itself in a great position to secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. And best of all for Denver, Murray returned from injury, played beyond his expected role and felt comfortable with it.
"I was only supposed to play 22," he said. "It's cool. I like challenges and it feels a lot better now that we got the win."
Indiana Pacers 116, Los Angeles Lakers 111
T.J. Warren (IND): 39 PTS, 5 REB
LeBron James (LAL): 31 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST
Malcolm Brogdon (IND): 24 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB
This is kind of getting ridiculous, right? It's about to rename the bubble the "T.J. Qwarrenntine."
T.J. Warren has eclipsed the 30-point mark four times in five games, and his 39 points against the Los Angeles Lakers are the second-most of this torrid stretch. He knocked down five three-pointers, and the Indiana Pacers collectively buried 15 of their 33 three-point attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIulY4zsyuc
"I just feel like I'm in a groove offensively, defensively," Warren said after the win. "I feel like as a team we're grooving right now. We've just got to keep it up."
Fortunately for the Lakers, the result didn't affect their standing because they have clinched the No. 1 seed in the West. But the Pacers moved into a tie with the Miami Heat for No. 4 in the East.
Phoenix Suns 119, Miami Heat 112
Devin Booker (PHO): 35 PTS, 6 AST
Tyler Herro (MIA): 25 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB
Duncan Robinson (MIA): 25 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST
Someone cool down the Suns, or some other bad joke.
Pun not intended but unavoidable, Phoenix has emerged as the hottest team in the bubble. Even without a three-pointer from Devin Booker amid his 35-point performance, the Suns outlasted the Heat and improved to 5-0 in Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77h-J6vGnkU
"I think this bubble opportunity was big for us, and we're taking advantage of it," Booker told reporters.
Phoenix closes the regular season with games against the Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks. If the Suns can jump San Antonio and New Orleans in the standings, they will have a shot to bounce the Grizzlies before the playoffs officially begin.
Dorian Finney-Smith provided seven points and an assist to carry the Mavericks past the top-seeded Bucks. He finished with a career-high 27 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, complementing Doncic's remarkable triple-double.
Most importantly for the Mavs, they stayed within two games of the Jazz for the sixth spot in the West. Dallas is headed for a matchup with either the Clippers or Nuggets in the first round.
As for Milwaukee, the loss is more disappointing than devastating. The Bucks have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the East.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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.
NBA Announces Finalists for MVP, Rookie of the Year, 6th Man of the Year, More
Aug 8, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo tries to drive past Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 111-104. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The NBA has officially announced the finalists for each of its 2019-20 regular-season awards, highlighted by Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and James Harden in the MVP race.
The league declared the seeding games in Florida wouldn't factor into the awards races, so only everything that happened through March 11 is being considered.
Antetokounmpo has been the favorite to win his second straight MVP seemingly since the season began, but James made a late push before the play was suspended.
Here are the finalists for each of the major awards.
NBA MVP Finalists
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
James Harden (Houston Rockets
NBA Rookie of the Year Finalists
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Kendrick Nunn (Miami Heat)
NBA Sixth Man of the Year Finalists
Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Clippers)
Dennis Schroder (New Orleans Pelicans)
Lou Williams (Los Angeles Clippers)
NBA Most Improved Player Finalists
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans)
Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
NBA Coach of the Year Finalists
Nick Nurse (Toronto Raptors)
Billy Donovan (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Mike Budenholzer (Milwaukee Bucks)
The most fascinating race could be the battle for Coach of the Year.
The National Basketball Coaches Association voted Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks and Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder as co-winners, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors was one vote short of making it a three-way tie.
Antetokounmpo's quest to become the first back-to-back MVP winner since Stephen Curry (2014-15, 2015-16) seems like a safe bet. He averaged 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists in his 57 games being considered.
In addition to those traditional counting stats, Antetokounmpo's defensive contributions are instrumental to Milwaukee's success. He's also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. His 32.04 player efficiency rating in 2019-20 is the highest single-season total ever tracked by Basketball Reference.
No player has won MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1993-94.
James will attempt to spoil Antetokounmpo's MVP party by winning the award for the fifth time. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar hasn't won the award since the 2012-13 season. He led the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference this year and is averaging a career-high 10.3 assists per game.
Harden can join Moses Malone as the only Houston Rockets players to win multiple MVP awards if he pulls off an upset in the voting. The Beard leads the NBA in scoring for the third straight season (34.3 points per game), in addition to averaging 7.5 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Rookie of the Year seems like Ja Morant's to lose, though Kendrick Nunn has been a vital part of the Miami Heat's success in the Eastern Conference. Nunn ranks fourth on the team in scoring (15.2 points per game) and shoots 35.6 percent from three-point range.
Zion Williamson is expected to become the biggest star from this year's rookie class. The New Orleans Pelicans standout offered a glimpse of what his future could look like, leading all first-year players with 22.4 points per game.
Unfortunately for Williamson, his pre-hiatus resume only consists of 19 games because of a torn meniscus that kept him out of action until Jan. 22.
Morant was drafted to be the centerpiece of the Memphis Grizzlies' next successful era. The 20-year-old wasted no time in making a positive impact, averaging 17.8 points and 7.1 assists per game and posting a 48.1 shooting percentage.
The Grizzlies are the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference thanks in large part to Morant's scoring and playmaking skills.
While the NBA hasn't offered a date for when the awards will be given out, an official release from the league issued on July 21 stated that TNT will announce the winners during its coverage of the postseason.
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden Named 2020 MVP Finalists
Aug 8, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, dribbles against Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
The NBAannounced Saturday that Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets guard James Harden are this year's finalists for the league's MVP award.
James, a four-time MVP, entered Saturday leading the league with 10.3 assists per game while also averaging 25.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest. His Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference (51-17) and have clinched the top overall seed in the conference.
Antetokounmpo, the defending MVP, is having another monster season and is second in rebounds per game (13.7) and third in points per contest (29.7). His Bucks hold the NBA's best record at 55-14.
Harden, who won the 2017-18 MVP award, is one of just two players averaging over 30 points per game this season, leading the league at 34.3. He's adding 7.5 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game, and his 285 made three-pointers also lead the league.
Given the unique circumstances of this season, with the league going on hiatus for four months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all awards voting only took pre-hiatus performances and stats into consideration. All three of James, Antetokounmpo and Harden are vying for a title in the NBA's restart at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.
As for the other awards, Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson are the finalists for Rookie of the Year, while Antetokounmpo, Lakers forward Anthony Davis and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert are the finalists for Defensive Player of the Year.
Giannis on Bucks' Top Threat in East: The Biggest Challenge for Us Is Ourselves
Aug 6, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) moves in for a basket against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
The Milwaukee Bucks clinched the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed Thursday with a 130-116 win over the Miami Heat despite being down 17 points at halftime.
After the game, reigning NBA MVP and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shared a few thoughts about his team's upcoming road to the Finals, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps:
"I think the biggest challenge for us is ourselves. How are we going to play? How hard are we going to play? Are we going to play for one another? Are we going to defend hard? Are we going to be able to rebound the ball? Are we going to be able to make the extra effort? Are we going to dive on the floor?
"It's all about us. It's all about us."
The 55-14 Bucks sport the league's best record after accomplishing the same feat with a 60-22 mark last season.
The Bucks cruised to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics in the opening two rounds, but the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors upset the Bucks over six games in the conference finals.
This year is setting up similarly with the Bucks holding the No. 1 seed and the Raptors sitting at No. 2. Toronto has been on fire during the restart, going 3-0 and arguably looking like the best team at Disney World.
Milwaukee has been hit-or-miss inside the NBA bubble, going 2-2 thus far. One loss included a defeat to the short-handed Brooklyn Nets, who were without their top three scorers in Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert, among other players.
But Milwaukee has proven to be the league's most dominant team at its best. No outfit comes close to its 10.8-points-per-game differential for the season, and that's with the Bucks sometimes resting starters in the fourth quarter of blowouts.
Ultimately, Milwaukee should be the favorite to win the NBA title entering the postseason, but a host of talented teams will likely make its path difficult.
Giannis, Khris Middleton Rally Bucks to Win Against Heat with Dominant 2nd Half
Aug 6, 2020
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) is fouled as he shoots against the defense of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 130-116 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
With the win, the Bucks clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat jumped out to a 34-25 lead after the first quarter and led by as many as 23 points in the second quarter. The absences of Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic may have proved pivotal, though, as Milwaukee's defense went up a level to fuel the comeback.
Notable Stats
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Bucks: 13-17 FG, 33 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, one block
One danger of the NBA restart is that teams with their postseason fortunes largely assured may not be motivated to approach each of the eight seeding games with a sense of urgency. The Bucks headed to Orlando with the knowledge they'll be the East's No. 1 team barring a total collapse.
The Cleveland Cavaliers showed during their run of four straight NBA Finals that it's possible for a team to look completely disjointed one night and then turn into a powerhouse when it really matters.
Based on Thursday's game, Milwaukee might possess the same capability. The Bucks allowed 73 first-half points for the second straight contest to raise serious alarm bells. Then they came out with a completely different effort level to open the third quarter.
That the Bucks could so quickly turn the tide is encouraging with respect to their status as a title contender. The obvious key is avoiding the kind of flat first half that results in such a Jekyll and Hyde performance.
Khris Middleton was one of the few constants over all four quarters. Milwaukee's first-half deficit might have been even larger if he hadn't gone off for 16 points.
His hot shooting carried over into the second half as the Bucks chipped away at the lead.
Middleton took the scoring burden off Giannis Antetokounmpo long enough for the reigning MVP to take over the game late and eliminate any doubt about the result.
Heat Send Warning Sign to Milwaukee
The best way to explain the opening two quarters is that Bam Adebayo connected on a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the half.
Many viewed this game through the prism of a possible playoff matchup since Milwaukee and Miami could potentially cross paths in the second round. The Boston Celtics weren't ultimately a tough challenge for the Bucks in the second round last year, but the Heat could be a different story.
The absence of Butler left Miami without a true go-to scorer. The team compensated by getting strong contributions across the board. Bam Adebayo and Solomon Hill were the only players who failed to hit double figures in scoring before head coach Erik Spoelstra emptied the bench.
The Heat buried the Bucks under a three-point barrage.
Miami's offense cooled off in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Bucks to pull away. To some extent, the outcome was decided by the fact one team had its best player and the other team didn't.
Giannis has taken over here with several spectacular moves for dunks in the past couple minutes. Heat, meanwhile, have had a couple Duncan Robinson 3s rim out, but otherwise have struggled without Jimmy Butler - who would be the one creating shots for himself and others right now
Miami let this get out of control. They stopped moving the ball around when they went cold shooting. They’re hurting without Dragic and Butler tho so I’m not worried.
Even with Butler, the Heat would be big underdogs against the Bucks. However, they could at least be the kind of nuisance that pushes Milwaukee deeper than head coach Mike Budenholzer would like that early into the playoffs.
What's Next?
The Heat and Bucks are both in action again Saturday. Miami plays the Phoenix Suns at 7:30 p.m., and Milwaukee follows shortly after at 8:30 p.m. ET against the Dallas Mavericks.
Bucks Clinch No. 1 Seed in Eastern Conference Playoffs for 2nd Straight Year
Aug 6, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo runs the offense against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 1, 2020. Milwaukee won 93-85. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
For the second straight year, the Milwaukee Bucks will have the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
They'll just have to hope the result is better than a year ago.
The Bucks clinched the top-seed advantage Thursday with a 130-116 win over the Miami Heat. The Bucks held a 6.5-game lead over the Raptors coming into the seeding games in Orlando, Florida.
Milwaukee (55-14) has been running away with the best record in basketball for months and currently sits four games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers (51-16) in the win column for the best record in basketball.
Much like last season, the Bucks are led by the overwhelming MVP favorite in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has taken another leap forward in 2019-20. Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists, with advanced numbers that put his season among the best of the last 20 years.
Khris Middleton also made his second straight All-Star team and is perhaps the most underappreciated secondary star in the NBA. With a deep, well-constructed roster around them, the Bucks are an even more formidable group than they were a year ago.
"It's not hard," coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters about keeping the team motivated."I mean, it's I guess part of what makes coaching either maddening or a lot of fun. You can always push them to be better and there's always things we can do better, and when we lose, there's things that we do well and it's not all terrible. So hopefully we walk that line of keeping our guys, you know, hungry and growing and improving and recognizing when they do things well also."
Motivation in the postseason should be even easier. The Bucks were up 2-0 on the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals before losing four straight games to the eventual champs. Antetokounmpo, in particular, struggled as the Raptors built a wall in the paint to keep him from finishing at the rim. Part of his improvement this season has been a refinement of his jumper, which is still a work in progress.
NBA's Top Stats, Best Highlights, Updated Playoff Picture from Aug. 4 Results
Aug 4, 2020
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker shoots the game-winning basket over Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George (13) in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Highlighted by a buzzer-beater and a battle for position in the Eastern Conference, Tuesday night's slate in the NBA bubble featured a ton of drama in a six-game schedule.
Early in the afternoon, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker faked, spun and drilled a jumper to crush the Los Angeles Clippers. Later on, the Miami Heat closed the gap on the Boston Celtics in the race for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
If you missed any of the action or simply want to relive the day, B/R has you covered with top performers and updated standings as the 2020 NBA playoffs draw nearer.
Tuesday Scores and Highlights
Brooklyn Nets 119, Milwaukee Bucks 116
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (BRK): 26 PTS, 3 REB
Garrett Temple (BKN): 19 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 16 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot
One night after the Los Angeles Lakers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the Bucks missed their chance to accomplish the same in the East.
And it was historically bad.
According to ESPN's David Purdum, the Nets—playing without Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen, as well as Kevin Durant—entered as 19-point underdogs. Based on the spread, it's the largest upset in the NBA since a 1993 game between the Dallas Mavericks and Seattle SuperSonics.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored a career-best 26 points for the Nets, who basically locked up a spot in the postseason thanks to the stunning victory.
Dallas Mavericks 114, Sacramento Kings 110 (OT)
Luka Doncic (DAL): 34 PTS, 20 REB, 12 AST
Kristaps Porzingis (DAL): 22 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST
De'Aaron Fox (SAC): 28 PTS, 9 AST
Are we completely sure Luka Doncic didn't play a video game and somehow stream it through our televisions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FiIGk4PQb4
Doncic obliterated the box score in this overtime triumph with 34 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists. Although Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic achieved a comparable line in February, it's only the fifth 30-20-10 triple-double of the last 46 years.
Yeah, that's pretty good.
With five seeding games left, the Mavs are now within two games of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the West's No. 6 spot.
Booker's clutch shot helped the Suns improve to 3-0 in the bubble and get within striking distance of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizz are 0-3 in Florida and lost Jaren Jackson Jr. to a season-ending meniscus injury, so Phoenix has some hope.
Yes, the battle for the West's final postseason spot is clogged. Five straight clashes with playoff-bound teams is a challenging end to these seeding games for the Suns.
But at the very least, Booker provided a memorable shot and put a little extra pressure on the Clippers. They're now a single game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the No. 2 seed in the West.
Indiana Pacers 120, Orlando Magic 109
T.J. Warren (IND): 32 PTS, 3 AST
Nikola Vucevic (ORL): 24 PTS, 10 REB
Myles Turner (IND): 21 PTS, 6 REB
"MVP" is apparently a synonym for T.J. Warren. Jokes aside, the veteran is absolutely thriving in the bubble.
In three games—all Indiana wins—he's racked up 53, 34 and 32 points. Against the Magic, he shot 13-of-17 overall with a 4-of-5 mark from three-point range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1CMuofmC4
"I'm just really in rhythm," Warren said, according to the Associated Press. "Really picking my spots and really just staying efficient. It was an all-around team effort and I'm just doing my part, doing what I'm capable of doing."
The Pacers jumped out to a 43-22 advantage in the first quarter. After that hot start, Indiana's lead stayed in double digits until the final minute of regulation.
Miami Heat 112, Boston Celtics 106
Bam Adebayo (MIA): 21 PTS, 12 REB
Kelly Olynyk (MIA): 15 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB
Jayson Tatum (BOS): 23 PTS, 7 REB
Since both Miami and Boston have secured a playoff berth, the top priority is staying healthy. For a moment, it seemed the Heat may have a significant injury.
Late in the fourth quarter, Goran Dragic limped to the locker room. Hopefully, though, the initial report is true. Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press said Dragic told the team he didn't believe there's much cause for concern and X-rays were "clean."
As for the result, Miami's win trimmed Boston's hold on the No. 3 seed to just 1.5 games. Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson and Dragic all netted 20-plus points in the victory.
Houston is no stranger to tight finishes in the bubble. But after clipping both Dallas and Milwaukee to begin their time in Florida, the Rockets fell short in the final quarter.
As the clock ticked below one minute remaining, Carmelo Anthony iced the victory with a three-pointer.
Melo finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, posting his fifth double-double of the season. Damian Lillard scored a team-high 21 points, while CJ McCollum added 20. Jusuf Nurkic chipped in 18 points and ripped down an impressive 19 rebounds.
Portland inched ever closer to Memphis, trailing the Grizzlies by only 1.5 games. The Rockets dropped into a tie with the Utah Jazz and are just a half-game ahead of OKC and the No. 6 seed.
Though many things will be different about the 2020 NBA playoffs, we can take comfort in one particular certainty: Some of the league's best stars are guaranteed to clash in each round of the postseason...
