The top NBA team did it again.
Despite having center Deandre Ayton to start the game, the Phoenix Suns improved to 6-0 in the NBA startup, moving within a game of the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.
As incredible as the Suns have been, they still have no control over their own destiny. They could end up 8-0 in the bubble and still miss the play-in round, depending on what Memphis and Portland do the rest of the week. Regardless of what happens, the Suns have been the most magical team on Earth for the past 12 days.
Here’s the latest in the stands, the games to watch Monday and Tuesday, 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 | August 9 | Full pitches | Playoff matchups
Last buzz
Devin Booker shows love for Diana Taurasi
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker made a statement Friday with his arrival outfit, declaring Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi as the greatest of all time (aka the GOAT).
– Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 10, 2020
The back of the shirt lists Taurasi’s many accomplishments, including 10-time first-team All-WNBA, WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Finals MVP and three-time WNBA champion.
Deandre Ayton is not starting for Suns today
Suns center Deandre Ayton averaged 18.2 points and 9.8 handballs since Phoenix started 5-0 in the boiling games in Orlando, but he was not in the starting lineup for Monday’s game against Oklahoma. City Thunder, after missing his coronavirus test on Sunday. Ayton had to be re-tested and was returned negative after that test, and was on his way to join the team when the game came to an end.
Warren recounts the showdown with Butler
The last time TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler met in court, the two bulged, exchanged words and gestures, leading to the Pacers’ forward issuance and combined $ 60,000 fines. Warren, however, did not expect fireworks when the two took to court last night.
TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler are both doubtful for tomorrow with foot pain. Warren, the top scorer of the NBA bubble, sees her differences in the past as “part of the game.” Warren told ESPN: “If you compete at such a high level, you will run into other competitors.” pic.twitter.com/gZnctTqHgu
– Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 9, 2020
Giannis (teeth) from last night for Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for tonight’s game against the Toronto Raptors with a toothache / oral surgery, the team says.
– Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 10, 2020
Could the Bucks and Raptors see each other in September?
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors were the top two seeders in the playoffs of the Eastern Conference last year and met in an epic six-game series in the conference finals.
Following Toronto’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, the Bucks and Raptors will, once again, go into the playoffs of the Eastern Conference in possession of the top two seeds. On Monday, they will meet for their only matchup during the eight seeding games.
But will it be another Eastern Conference preview? Based on the play of both teams so far inside the bubble, that remains to be seen.
The Bucks have shown a showdown from time to time, going 2-3 through their first five games – after losing just 12 of their first 65 games this season. Some of that could be crowned until Milwaukee had nothing to play for in those games – the Bucks only needed a few wins to climb to the top spot in the East – but not all.
Yes, the reigning and presumably most valuable player of the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has been amazing. But some key rotation players have struggled – including guards George Hill and Donte DiVincenzo, who are a combined 7-for-30 from 3-point range – and Milwaukee is averaging 13th in offensive efficiency and 11th in defensive efficiency through those five outings .
Toronto has some similar questions. Unlike the Bucks, the Raptors appeared and looked locked in, winning their first four games here – including a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on August 1, in which they dominated the fourth quarter.
But then came Friday night against the Boston Celtics, who beat Toronto in a game that led Boston by 34 points to three quarters. The Raptors were then offensively crushed off the Memphis offense in the first and fourth quarters Sunday, and only managed to defeat the Grizzlies thanks to a pair of late Pascal Siakam 3-pointers and another stout defensive performance.
The Raptors are by far the league’s best defensive team in the bubble. They have also been the second worst team offensive – just ahead of the Lakers – thanks to many missed open looks from 3-point range and an uncharacteristic space of turnover.
In their time here so far, both teams have shown what the critics refer to as potential trouble spots in the playoffs.
For Milwaukee, questions remain about Antetokounmpo’s ability to control a game offensively in late and tight situations – especially since he’s in dire straits in almost every game here – as well as Milwaukee’s tendency to make many 3-pointers defensive. to give up.
For Toronto, the biggest question mark is a crime that tends to lapse when it steps into half-court situations, as well as the lack of a real superstar on the roster who has so many champions (and the Raptors knew last year in Kawhi Leonard).
Monday night’s game probably does not offer too many answers. With Toronto playing Sunday, and with neither team much to play for, it’s hard to see both teams selling out to try to win it. Instead, we have to wait and see if history repeats itself and both teams still play in late September. – Tim Bontemps
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 locked in their positions and health and recovery are as much a priority as they win in their last 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
Play-in watch
And then there were four.
The final week of seeding games begins with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings eliminated from playoff controversy. There will also be a play-in game on Saturday (14:30 ET on ABC,), and maybe another on Sunday (16:30 a.m. ET on ESPN, if needed).
The only bubble team to play Monday is the through-start-undefeated Phoenix Suns, who defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to improve to 6-0 in the bubble. The Suns will have to play again on Tuesday, when the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs will also be back in action.
Western Conference
8. Memphis Grizzlies | 33-38 (.465) | –
9. Portland Trail Blazers | 33-39 (.458) | 0.5 GB
10 Phoenix Suns | 32-39 (.450) | 1.0 GB
11 San Antonio Spurs | 31-38 (.449) | 1.0 GB
Full pitches | Playoff matchups
Games for must-see from Tuesday
Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs | 2 pm ET
After winning Sunday against the Pelicans, the Spurs hope to stay in the race for a spot in a play-off tournament by defeating their in-state rivals. Houston also has something to play for: The Rockets are trying to lock themselves in the fourth seed in the Western Conference. – Tim Bontemps
Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies | 5 pm ET
Memphis still has everything to play for and needs a win in one of its last two games against Boston or Milwaukee to secure itself a spot in the play-in tournament next weekend. The Grizzlies could get a break while playing the Celtics, who are trapped in the third seed and have nothing to play for. – Bontemps
Additional games
Full scoreboard for Tuesday
Analysis and intel
Eight games that will swing the NBA playoff race this week
To get you ready for this stretch run, our NBA experts highlight the eight games that will decide the playoff picture.
New NBA playoff predictions: Which two teams will make the playoffs?
Portland and Phoenix are hot. How is the four-team race now structured? Here are the latest projections.
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