With a 124-121 victory by the Portland Trail Blazers over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, the door was officially closed on the playoff chances of the New Orleans Pelicans.
It was a disappointing result for a Pelicans team that came into the bubble feeling well about their chances of capturing the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed, or at least making it to the playoffs.
Instead, New Orleans crashed out of the gate with losses to the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers. After getting a win over the Grizzlies, New Orleans dropped another big game to the Sacramento Kings. A win over the Washington Wizards gave some glimmer of hope before a loss to the San Antonio Spurs (and the Portland win) meant the Pelicans would have an early departure from Florida.
Despite the easiest scheme in the bubble, New Orleans was given a tough hand when rookie Zion Williamson had to leave the team on July 16 to deal with a family medical emergency. He returned on July 24 and quarantined four days later, but missed all three New Orleans checks.
Therefore, the Pelicans’ plan for Williamson put him on a “burst limit” for the early games, and the medical team saw through his minutes in the boiling games.
In five games (he was held to rest against the Wizards), Williamson averaged just 20.7 minutes a game and averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 55.9 percent from the field. He also could not get into a game with a steal or a block.
On Sunday against the Spurs, the Pelicans turned the ball 20 times, which turned into 30 points for San Antonio. That was a common theme in the New Orleans games – they allowed 23.2 points per game off turnover, the second worst of any team through Sunday’s games.
Going forward to the season, Pelican police vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said the goal for the year was to play significant games late in the season with a chance to make the playoffs. While there is a level of disappointment that New Orleans fell flat in Florida, gaining that experience for late meaning is late in what the young core of Pelicans can grow.
Griffin has made some decisions for him before the Pelicans try to figure out what comes next. Pelican head coach Alvin Gentry has one year left on his contract. New Orleans has also decided to sign a contract with limited free agent to be, finalist for most improved player and first-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, extensively eligible point guard Lonzo Ball and reserved wing Josh Hart, and veteran free agent Derrick Benefits and E’Twaun Moore.
Will the Pelicans also keep up with shooters Jrue Holiday or try to capitalize on its trading value this offseason?
But before those decisions come, New Orleans still has two games left. And the goal for those games is clear – at least for Williamson.
“Get out there and try to win,” Williamson said. “That’s always the goal.” –Andrew Lopez
Here’s a look at all of Sunday’s cleansing and elimination scenarios as we march to the post season, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information:
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The Toronto Raptors have the no. 2-seed of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference contains. The Boston Celtics are now locked in the No. 3 seed.
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The Houston Rockets claim the Southwest Division title.
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The New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings have been eliminated from controversy before playoffs.
Here’s the latest in the stands, the games to watch on Sunday and Monday, plus everything you need to know. Check back here for highlights and updates throughout the day.
PAST BUBBLE INTEL: July 30 | 31 July | August 1 | Aug 2 | August 3 | August 4 | August 5 | August 6 | August 7 | August 8 | Full pitches | Playoff matchups
Last buzz
Dame drops 51 on the Sixers, eliminating the Pelicans and Kings
Everything is going well for Phoenix
The West officially gets a play-in-play for the No. 8 seed. The Phoenix Suns want in – they are 5-0 so far during their pursuit – and they got some help from the defending champions on Sunday.
They listen to https://t.co/78xXvJNOtA
– 5-0 (@Suns) August 9, 2020
The Suns have quickly become the biggest Philadelphia 76ers fans in the world as Philly takes over the Portland Trail Blazers this evening. Phoenix is a half game behind Portland for the No. 9 seed.
Hee @sixers, what he said.
Thanks also for him 😁 https://t.co/qTeE6ixrnB
– 5-0 (@Suns) August 9, 2020
The Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies took us back to the ’90s – and north of the border. these throwback jerseys Sunday afternoon. (In case you were wondering, Toronto won the entire series 7-4 over the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1995 to 2001.)
Keep the classic jersey matchups coming 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KN2OQeFT2q
– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020
Steven Adams is a big fan
Adams did not play against the Wizards – OKC easily won 121-103 – but a gigantic cut from the big man Thunder made its way into the virtual audience.
There’s a cut of Steven Adams in the virtual audience for today’s Thunder game 😂 pic.twitter.com/ecFQRCWfn1
– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020
Sunday night games
Full scoreboard for Sunday
Play-in watch
We have a play-in in the West! And the battle continues Sunday night in the bubble with both the no. 8 as no. 9-seeds that are still in progress. Simply put, things get interesting.
Memphis fell to Toronto in their bid to claim a spot in the playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs top the New Orleans Pelicans, who have now been knocked out of the controversy after the season.
The Blazers returned to the winning streak on Sunday after a critical loss on Saturday to a Clippers team that saw Kawhi Leonard rest and Paul George sit under the stretch.
The Sacramento Kings were eliminated with the win over Portland.
Two first-round matchups were secured in the East this weekend. The Nets beat the Clippers Sunday night to secure the No. 7 seed and a date with the No. 2 Raptors. The Magic lost in overtime to the Celtics, setting up a first-round meeting with the No. 1 Bucks.
Western Conference
8. Memphis Grizzlies | 33-38 (.465) | –
9. Portland Trail Blazers | 33-39 (.458) | 0.5 GB
10 San Antonio Spurs | 31-38 (.449) | 1.0 GB
11. Phoenix Suns | 31-39 (.443) | 1.5 GB
12. Pelicans of New Orleans | 30-40 (.429) | 2.5 GB
13. Sacramento Kings | 29-40 (.420) | 3.0 GB
Full pitches | Playoff matchups
Games from Monday to Monday
Toronto Raptors Vs. Milwaukee Bucks | 18:30 ET on ESPN
The top two seeded in the East, a rematch of the 2019 Eastern Conference final, and two excellent, well-coached teams. Of course, both the Raptors and Bucks are effectively locked into their positions and are as much a priority for health and recovery as wins in their final seeding games. But assuming they follow suit, this is a nice matchup and one to definitely collect some takeaways from. – Royce Young
Indiana Pacers Vs. Miami Heat | 8 pm ET
Bubble beef! TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler shook back in January, which led to Butler saying Warren was ‘trash’, and Warren came out and Butler then blew him a farewell kiss. Now the Pacers are one of the toughest teams and Warren is the leading scorer of the bubble.
And to make it even better, the Heat and Pacers have identical records. And while seeding in a 4/5 matchup does not matter, you never know – having those virtual fans by your side in a Game 7 can make all the difference. – Boy
Additional games
Full scoreboard for Monday
Analysis and Intel
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Could Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic take over the league? A look at the rivalry that a generation could define.
New NBA Playoff Predictions: Can the Suns Grab the 8-Seed?
Phoenix is 5-0 in the bubble. How is the six-team match adjusted now? Here are the latest projections.
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