The LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers started things off early Saturday – and we mean TALKE. The two West Coast teams tipped off in Orlando at 1 p.m. Eastern, as 10 o’clock in their home time zone. However, this did not stop them from starting after a scoring start, and combined for 71 points in the first quarter. Damian Lillard tries to beat Portland in the play-in race – potentially as the 8-seed – while the Clippers play today without Kawhi Leonard. The Sacramento Kings will keep this one close, as they will be officially eliminated with a Blazers win.
Later tonight, a few award finalists will meet on ESPN as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks take over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
Here’s the latest on the stand, the games to watch on Saturday and Sunday, and everything you need to know. Check back all day for highlights and updates.
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Last buzz
Blazers get some legendary fan support
Oh, no big deal, just Hall of Famer Bill Walton controlling a game between two of his former teams.
we know him!
Hi, @BillWalton pic.twitter.com/GHsuQFDJ0h
– Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 8, 2020
Walton played four seasons each for the Trail Blazers and the Clippers, but given that this is a Blazers’ “home” game – and that Walton won an MVP and a title in Portland – we think we know what the root interests of are the great man.
Walton was joined by the virtual audience by Rasheed Wallace, who played eight seasons in Portland, leading the Blazers to the conference finals in 2000. Unfortunately, virtual fans can not be heard in the arena, so we will never know when Sheed shouted “Ball does not lie” at any point.
Hey Sheed ✌️ pic.twitter.com/zJZLUfGRKu
– Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 8, 2020
No Kawhi for Clippers on Saturday
LA Clippers striker Kawhi Leonard has missed Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a knee injury. Leonard missed 13 games this season prior to Saturday, but had played in all four of LA’s seeding games. The Clippers are on a back-to-back battle as they take over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. Full story »
NBA nominates finalists
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, four-time winner LeBron James and 2018 MVP James Harden headlined the list of finalists for the NBA’s six major individual awards, all of which were announced Saturday afternoon. Full story »
The three finalists for #KiaMVP… @ Giannis_An34, @ JHarden13 en @KingJames! pic.twitter.com/ORuBapQO9n
– NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2020
Lillard Savings Time in Florida
After a career game on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers sat reserved wing Gary Trent Jr. on a chair a day later for a wide-screen TV with his media Zoom do, talking about his development, his improvement, his progression, his confidence. It was an extended media session for Trent, and eventually Damian Lillard began to get impatient.
“Last question,” said an off-screen voice.
Trent turned and laughed, and when the question came in, Lillard sidelined his tattooed right arm to the view at the edge of the screen. Trent gave a short answer, which deserved a quick follow-up, and now Lillard lay inside and pointed to the camera.
“Last question,” he said. “The bus is waiting for me.”
Trent stepped up and Lillard sat down, ready to go. He wastes no time. Whatever his mentality has been with restarting everything in the NBA’s Florida.
Portland’s focus from the start of training camp was running the ground. Players said it in all media availability, especially Lillard. No comfort in it, inventing things, feeling their way through the smells of empty gyms and awkward accommodations. When the games started, it was time.
Lillard had his best seed game against the Nuggets, a 45-point masterpiece that included 11 3-pointers, tied for a high career. It was quintessential Lillard: everything in balance, in rhythm and in reach. Pull-ups of 35-plus feet lured defenders to pickup points through midcourt, opening the floor for him to ride and kick, and for teammates to find opportunities.
Portland got results from the jump, going 3-1 to not only hold on to the 9-seed in the picture of the Western Conference playoffs, but threatened Memphis for the 8. Lillard had to grind early, in averaged 26.6 points in the first three games, but at just 39% shot from the field and 30% from 3. He said the ball felt like it had just come out of his hand and that it should have been more. It just wasn’t. That never surprises Lillard.
This is what Lillard can do – and really, consistently does. He is an unstoppable player as offensive as anyone in the league, and stretches defenses to their absolute limits while becoming the appropriate line between gunner and general.
The effortless long-range score lowers jaws and raises eyebrows, but with a healthy group around him with more weapons, Lillard averages 11.3 assists. Center Jusuf Nurkic has rediscovered his pick-and-roll chemistry with Lillard, power-forward Zach Collins protects the edge, and small forward Carmelo Anthony is back in his old position, mocking and delivering complementary scores.
“I feel like we might have been in the finals last year if we had him,” Lillard said of Anthony. “Just another person out there that when we trap and double team that they have to be accountable and respectful, but that’s what it is.”
Lillard acknowledged on Thursday that this Trail Blazers team cannot rely on being the team that was in the Western Conference finals last season because, with a subpar season – the context of injuries included – it is not on the floor have earned.
But they are healthy now. They are deeper. And with Lillard, as the saying goes, he’s within reach the moment he steps into the gym. What, now, with a push to the playoffs and a dangerous look over them for whoever they draw, are the Trail Blazers. – Royce Young
Games of Saturday must
Utah Jazz Vs. Denver Nuggets | 15:30 a.m. ET
Denver will be hoping to get closer to full strength as the Nuggets play each of their first four games – which they split – with starters Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Will Barton all out of action due to injuries. Harris and Barton are still out, while Murray is doubtful. Utah, on the other hand, will play the second half of a back-to-back set, after Friday opened the list of games with a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. – Tim Bontemps
Additional games
Full scoreboard for Saturday
Play-in watch
The Eastern Conference playoff teams have been set up and there will be no East play-in game next week after the Washington Wizards were officially eliminated on Friday.
In the Western Conference, only two games include Saturday call teams. The Sacramento Kings will not play, but they will be eliminated by the next team if the Portland Trail Blazers can defeat the LA Clippers. And the Phoenix Suns, the last team without a loss in Florida, will look forward to continuing the positive vibes against the Miami Heat.
Western Conference
8. Memphis Grizzlies | 33-37 (.471) | –
9. Portland Trail Blazers | 32-38 (.457) | 1.0 GB
10. San Antonio Spurs | 30-38 (.441) | 2.0 GB
11 Pelicans of New Orleans | 30-39 (.435) | 2.5 GB
12. Phoenix Suns | 30-39 (.435) | 2.5 GB
13. Sacramento Kings | 29-40 (.420) | 3.5 GB
Full pitches | Playoff matchups
Sunday’s games should be watched
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Toronto Raptors | 2 pm ET
It was a first for both teams on Friday in the bubble – Memphis grabbed its first win, while Toronto suffered its first loss. The Grizzlies earned a much-needed victory over Oklahoma City to hold on to eighth place in the Westernoff playoff race. On the other hand, the Raptors dropped their first game to Boston in their biggest loss of the season.
Because of the quirks with placement of seeding game and the end of the regular season, this is the only meeting between Memphis and Toronto this season. Both teams will wear their classic uniforms for this game: Toronto in their original dino jerseys and Memphis with its tee Vancouver jerseys. – Andrew Lopez
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans | 3 pm ET on ABC
These two teams have met only once this season: William Williamson’s debut on Jan. 22. Despite Williamson’s 17 throw in a 3-minute, 8-second stretch in the fourth quarter, San Antonio held on for a 121-117 victory. Originally, the teams were set to play three times over the last 14 games, including the final in the regular season. Instead, this is their only matchup on the NBA campus.
San Antonio is putting pressure on a playoff spot, while the Pelicans are just happy to be in the race after dropping three of their first four games in Florida. Williamson, who did not play against the Wizards on Friday on the second night of a back-to-back set, is expected to be available against San Antonio.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Portland Trail Blazers | 18:30 ET
Without protection from Ben Simmons on Friday, Philadelphia apparently sleepwalked through three quarters against Orlando before pulling away for a victory in the fourth quarter against a Magic squad that missed Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Jonathan Isaac (ACL). Philadelphia has been up and down in the bubble despite coming away with a 3-1 record – grabbing a win over San Antonio despite a fierce Spurs comeback, a one-digit win over Washington and then the win over Orlando.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are pursuing their pressure to make the playoffs and put up pressure on the Grizzlies for the eighth seed. Portland will play the second game of a back-to-back. At least Portland puts itself in the right place for the inevitable play-in tournament in the West.
Additional games
Full scoreboard for Sunday
Analysis and intel
New NBA Playoff Predictions: Who Grabs the 8-Seed to Play the Lakers?
The rise of the Blazers has changed the West-in-race. Here are the latest projections.
Will Luka Doncic make magic in the NBA playoffs?
The NBA playoffs will not be the first postseason of Doncic’s pro career. Does this mean he is ready to roll?
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