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Rundown 8.12.20 – Portland & Phoenix Still Above Snakes, Aces High in Wild, Wild West

F(orget) tonight's games - can we fast forward to tomorrow's games? Last night Devin Booker led Phoenix to 7-0, while Damian Lillard hit for 61 to give the Blazers the eighth seed. It's a dogfight, a shootout in the wild, wild West.

The Phoenix Suns have done it again, and Devin Booker has scored 35 again … but will it count for anything?

It will if Portland is upset by Brooklyn on Thursday night and Phoenix outguns the Dallas Mavericks.

But it will also mean they were the best of 22 in the eight game seeding schedule – no other team will even be 7-1.

It will all be foundational for the Suns, who seized upon the opportunity to do something rather than nothing with the worst record coming into the bubble.

Either way, I applaud them … and my hometown Blazers. Wow. Damian Lillard. 61. Sixty or more three times this season. Only Wilt has done that. Fifty or more six times this season. Two in the last two games.

Gon’ catch the Lakers sleepin’ is what’s gonna happen.

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Phoenix Suns  130
Philadelphia 76ers  117

Lookout folks, we may have a success story in the makings here.

In just seven short games, the Phoenix Suns may have turned their season around. Pending the outcome of their game against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night – which may end up being the most watched game of the seeding schedule – Phoenix may be the only team to run the table in Orlando.

They took another giant leap forward last night, decimating the already banged up Philadelphia 76ers by 13 points to win their seventh consecutive game in the bubble.

Devin Booker notched another 35 point game in the win, shooting 45.8 percent on the night, while the Suns shot over 55 percent as a team. Mikal Bridges added 24, while it was 18 and nine for Dario Saric, Ricky Rubio finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists, and Frank ‘The Tank’ Kaminsky came off the bench for 13 points.

Philadelphia, already playing with Ben Simmons (knee surgery) and Joel Embiid (left ankle), sat #VFL Tobias Harris (sore right ankle) and Al Horford (sore left knee). #VFL Josh Richardson utilized load management to get some rest after being abused by Damian Lillard in the Sixers’ last outing.

They were led by former Jazz-men Alec Burks and Raul Neto, who combined for 45 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. Mike Scott had 17, as the Sixers rest up for the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Regardless of the outcome of their game with Dallas, Phoenix will still come out as the best team in the eight game seeding schedule … no one is even 7-1. 

Here’s hoping for an 8-0 finish in the wild, wild west.

SUNS (33-39) 10th in the WestSIXERS (42-29) 6th in the East
Devin Booker
35 points – nine rebounds – seven assists – one steal
Alec Burks
23 points – two rebounds – four assists – one steal
Mikal Bridges
24 points – two rebounds – one assist – two steals – two blocks
Raul Neto
22 points – two rebounds – four assists
Dario Saric
18 points – nine rebounds – four assists
Mike Scott
17 points – four rebounds – one assist – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Sixers vs. Raptors – Tonight
Suns vs. Mavericks – Thursday

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Houston Rockets  105
San Antonio Spurs  123

Houston sat James Harden and the results were predictable, the Rockets lost badly to the San Antonio Spurs, a game that hurt Houston’s chances and helped San Antonio’s.

The Rockets had a chance to move up on the Denver Nuggets with a win, and the chance to play the Utah Jazz in the first round, a team I think they were better suited to defeat. As it stands today, the 4 – 5 matchup would be Houston and the Oklahoma City Thunder, which would give the advantage to the Thunder, since Chris Paul knows most all of Houston’s offensive sets.

Russell Westbrook returned to lead the Rockets with 20 points, while Jeff Green and Ben McLemore combined for 33 more in the team’s most lackluster performance of the bubble. 

San Antonio chose to get deeper, giving the young guns some experience in case they are able to make their NBA record 23rd straight appearance in the playoffs. Keldon Johnson led all scorers with 24 points and 11 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan showed his veteran presence with 23, and Jakob Poeltl stood tall with 14 and 12 on the night.

The Spurs are .001 percentage points out of contention for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They sit behind the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies, who share a 33-39 record, at 32-38. 

The Spurs have won three straight; a win over Utah on Thursday is a must for the Spurs’ hopes to stay alive. 

ROCKETS (44-26) 4th in the WestSPURS (32-38) 11th in the West
Russell Westbrook
20 points – five rebounds – six assists – one steal
Keldon Johnson
24 points – 11 rebounds – three assists
Jeff Green
17 points – four rebounds – two assists
DeMar DeRozan
23 points – six rebounds – four assists – two steals – one block
Ben McLemore
16 points – three rebounds – one assist
Jakob Poeltl
14 points – 12 rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block

NEXT GAMES
Rockets vs. Pacers – Tonight
Spurs vs. Jazz – Thursday

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Brooklyn Nets  108
Orlando Magic  96

The Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic played a game almost as meaningless as the Sacramento Kings – New Orleans Pelicans game last night. 

While the Kings and Pelicans played just because it was on the schedule and they are required to play these games out, the Nets and Magic are actually in the playoffs, so giving their players some opportunity to get some cohesiveness going before facing the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, respectively.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Nets with 24 points and seven dimes, Jeremiah Martin matched Luwawu-Cabarrot’s 24, and Dzanan Musa added 17. Lance Thomas had 12 points and Donta Hall finished with 10 and nine.

The Magic were led by Markelle Fultz and Wes Iwundu, both with 18 points.

Brooklyn cain gain some respectability in two ways in their eighth and final game versus the Portland Trailblazers Thursday night – a win would not only upset Portland’s chances of facing and taking out the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round out West, but it would gie them a respectable .500 record to end the fractured season.

Not bad for a team who’s payroll soaking salaries aren’t dressing for games.

NETS (35-36) 7th in the EastMAGIC (32-40) 8th in the East
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
24 points – seven assists – one steal
Wes Iwundu
18 points – five rebounds – three assists
Jeremiah Martin
24 points – two rebounds – six assists – one steal
Markelle Fultz
18 points – five rebounds – two assists – two steals
Dzanan Musa
17 points – six rebounds – six assists – one steal
Nikola Vucevic
12 points – 10 rebounds – one assist – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Nets vs. Blazers – Thursday
Magic vs. Pelicans – Thursday

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Boston Celtics  122
Memphis Grizzlies  107

After starting the seeding schedule 1-2, the Boston Celtics have ripped off four straight wins in the bubble, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies last night by 15 points. The C’s only have the winless Washington Wizards remaining on their schedule, looking to finish out 6-2 in Orlando.

And unlike many other teams, the Celtics aren’t taking their foot off the gas and resting folks.

In fact, Boston shot 51 percent last night against the Grizzlies, led by Jayson Tatum’s game high 29 points. Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker finished with 19 apiece, while Marcus Smart and Enes Kanter had 11 apiece off the bench, and Robert Williams finished with 10.

The Celtics were fueled by a 33-11 run in the first quarter and never looked back.

Memphis, on the outside looking in after the loss, was led by Ja Morant’s 26 points and 13 rebounds. Brandon Clarke added 15 points, while it was 14 apiece from Jonas Valanciunas and Dillon Brooks, 12 from Grayson Allen, and 10 points for Gorgui Dieng.

Memphis has the Milwaukee Bucks in one of their last shots at redemption after having a 3.5 game lead coming into play in Orlando. A loss, and they’re out of any chance at a play-in game.

CELTICS (48-23) 3rd in the EastGRIZZLIES (33-39) 9th in the West
Jayson Tatum
29 points – six rebounds – two assists – one steal
Ja Morant
26 points – four rebounds – 13 assists – one steal – two blocks
Gordon Hayward
19 points – five rebounds – five assists – one steal
Brandon Clarke
15 points – six rebounds – one assist – one block
Kemba Walker
19 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal
Jonas Valanciunas
14 points – 10 rebounds – two steals

NEXT GAMES
Celtics vs. Wizards – Thursday
Grizzlies vs. Bucks – Thursday

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Portland Trailblazers  134
Dallas Mavericks  131

Damian Lillard didn’t want any part of this disjointed, abbreviated NBA season wrap up if the Portland Trailblazers didn’t have any chance to win. I countered that with him on Twitter that without him, the Blazers didn’t have any chance to make it to the postseason.

Then last night, this gem: “When I came here (to Disney World) I told them I’m not here to waste my time.” And he dropped 61 points, only the third player in NBA history to hit for 60 or more in an NBA season. Only other was Wilt Chamberlain.

It was his sixth 50+ point game of the season, and second in a row. He had 51 against Philadelphia on Sunday.

And Lillard did it when it was most critical, positioning the Blazers to the current eighth seed with a play-in advantage over the Memphis Grizzlies, who seem content to let their once 3.5 game lead run out of gas while they go into hibernation, as is common with the Grizzlies at the end of every NBA season.

Here’s how it sits this morning:

8. Portland Trailblazers   34-39   .466   19.5
9. Memphis Grizzlies   33-39   .458   20.0
10. Phoenix Suns   33-39   .458   20.0
11. San Antonio Spurs   32-38   .457   20.0

The Blazers opened up with a 38-31 first quarter despite 16 points by Kristaps Porzingis in the opening period. Carmelo Anthony contributed greatly with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Zach Collins added 11 along with Gary Trent, Jr.

Dallas shot better than the Blazers did, with Porzingis, Luka Doncic and Tim Hardaway, Jr. combining for 85 points – Porzingis and Doncic ironically combined for 61 to match Lillard.

The Mavericks have one more chance to play spoiler as they face the undefeated Phoenix Suns in their eighth and final game in the bubble before the playoffs begin. Nothing’s secure just yet for Portland, who play what Lillard calls ‘the most important game of our lives’ against the Brooklyn Nets.

BLAZERS (34-39) 8th in the WestMAVERICKS (43-31) 7th in the West
Damian Lillard
61 points – five rebounds – eight assists – one steal
Kristaps Porzingis
36 points – six rebounds – two blocks (FOULED OUT)
Carmelo Anthony
26 points – eight rebounds – two assists – two steals
Luka Doncic
25 points – eight rebounds – 10 assists – one block
Zach Collins
11 points – eight rebounds
Tim Hardaway, Jr.
24 points – four rebounds – three assists

NEXT GAMES
Blazers vs. Nets – Thursday
Mavericks vs. Suns – Thursday

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New Orleans Pelicans  106
Sacramento Kings  112

It’s a good thing for the Sacramento Kings that they drew the New Orleans Pelicans twice in the eight game seeding schedule. They won 140-125 last Thursday behind Bogdan Bogdanovic, and then again last night by a closer margin of six behind Harrison Barnes.

If not for the Pelicans, the Kings might be the Washington Wizards of the West.

Sitting Zion Williamson gave some other players the experience of playing in the bubble. Jahlil Okafor led New Orleans with 21 points in Williamson’s stead. Frank Jackson had 18, Lonzo Ball finished with 16, E’Twaun Moore knocked down 14 on the night.

Barnes led the Kings with 25 as De’Aaron Fox sat the game out. Bogdanovic finished with 16 against the Pelicans last night, mere days after dropping 35 on them in the Kings’ other win. Nemanja Bjelica finished with 13, both Harry Giles III and Jabari Parker ended up with 12 apiece, and Buddy Hield had 11 on the night.

Despite the win, with the horrible showing in the bubble, I wouldn’t be surprised to see wholesale changes in the Kings organization this offseason. The team needs to decide whether they are going to keep meddling from the top down, or if they’re going to hire a coach that can get the job done and let the coach call the shots.

Anyone have Becky Hammon’s number?

PELICANS (30-41) 13th in the WestKINGS (30-41) 12th in the West
Jahlil Okafor
21 points – four rebounds – one assist – two blocks
Harrison Barnes
25 points – eight rebounds – two assists – two blocks
Frank Jackson
18 points – one rebound – four assists – one steal
Bogdan Bogdanovic
16 points – six rebounds – seven assists – two steals
Lonzo Ball
16 points – three rebounds – four assists – two blocks
Nemanja Bjelica
13 points – five rebounds – two assists – two steals – one block

NEXT GAMES
Pelicans vs. Magic – Thursday
Kings vs. Lakers – Thursday

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Milwaukee Bucks  126
Washington Wizards  113

Two days after sitting out with a dental issue, Giannis Antetokuonmpo chose to headbutt Washington’s Moritz Wagner, earning himself an ejection from the remainder of last night’s game, and likely the Bucks’ eighth and final game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.

Load management in disguise as the Milwaukee Bucks coast into their first round NBA Playoffs matchup with the Orlando Magic.

The Bucks let some of the rotational players get their feet wet with their record as the NBA’s best team securely in place. Brook Lopez stood tall with 24 points, Sterling Brown added 23, Frank Mason III came off the bench for 19, and Antetokuonmpo had 12 and nine in the 10 minutes he played.

D.J. Wilson popped for 11 off the bench and Pat Connaughton finished with 10 points, eight rebounds. The Bucks shot a shade of 50 percent on the night and outrebounded Washington, 53-44.

The Wizards were led by Rui Hachimura, who may be the only one around next season as Washington’s winless showing in the bubble won’t likely bode well for head coach Scott Brooks, nor many around him. Ish Smith had 19, Jerome Robinson 15, Thomas Bryant went for 13 and eight, and it was 10 apiece for both Isaac Bonga and Anzejs Pasecniks.

The Wizards have the opportunity to finish the eight game seeding schedule a perfect 0-8 when they face the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.

BUCKS (56-16) 1st in the East, NBAWIZARDS (24-47) 11th in the East
Brook Lopez
24 points – three rebounds
Rui Hachimura
20 points – five rebounds – one assist
Sterling Brown
23 points – two rebounds – two assists – one steal
Ish Smith
19 points – three rebounds – five assists
Frank Mason III
19 points – five rebounds six assists – two steals
Jerome Robinson
15 points – four rebounds – seven assists

NEXT GAMES
Nuggets vs. Clippers – Wednesday
Lakers vs. Kings – Wednesday

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WEDNESDAY’S LINEUP
(All Times Eastern)

4 p.m.
Indiana Pacers
Houston Rockets
NBATV
6:30 p.m.
Toronto Raptors
Philadelphia 76ers
ESPN
8 p.m.
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
SUN Sports
9 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets
ESPN

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Tracy Graven is a Senior NBA Analyst for BackSportsPage.com.
He has written the NBA, and done NBA radio, for the last two decades for HoopsWorld, Swish Magazine, and HoopsHype, the Coach Scott Fields Show and NBARadioShow.com, and is also tackling the NFL, NCAA, and will be pinch-hitting on some Major League Baseball coverage for BackSportsPage.
He’s spent 20 years in locker rooms in 

  • Orlando
  • Boise (G League) 
  • San Antonio
  • Phoenix
  • Denver
  • Oklahoma City
  • Atlanta 

A corporate trainer by day, he currently resides in SEC Country near Knoxville, Tennessee.
Reach him on Twitter at @RealTMoneyMedia

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