NBA standings
Eastern Conference
-
Milwaukee Bucks (55-14)
-
Toronto Raptors (49-19)
-
Boston Celtics (46-23)
-
Miami Heat (43-26)
-
Indiana Pacers (42-27)
-
Philadelphia 76ers (42-27)
-
Brooklyn Nets (33-36)
-
Orlando Magic (32-38)
Washington Wizards (24-45)
Western Conference
-
Los Angeles Lakers (51-17)
-
LA Clippers (46-22)
-
Denver Nuggets (45-24)
-
Houston Rockets (43-25)
-
Utah Jazz (43-26)
-
Oklahoma City Thunder (42-26)
-
Dallas Mavericks (41-30)
-
Memphis Grizzlies (33-37)
-
Portland Trail Blazers (32-38)
San Antonio Spurs (30-38)
New Orleans Pelicans (30-39)
Phoenix Suns (30-39)
Sacramento Kings (29-40)
Saturday’s schedule
Los Angeles Clippers Vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 1 pm (TNT)
Utah Jazz Vs. Denver Nuggets, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers, 6 p.m. (TNT)
Phoenix Suns vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
–
–
–
Implications for Playoff
Los Angeles Clippers (46-22) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (32-38)
The Clippers’ grip on the second seed in the West could fall after a half game with a loss and a win for Denver.
The Blazers can pull back Grizzlies with a victory within half a game of eighth place. They would still be in position for a play-in series from ninth place with a loss, but with a pack of challengers pinching their heels. Portland is scheduled for Philadelphia, Dallas and Brooklyn to close out the regular season.
A Blazers win would also eliminate the Kings from playoff controversy.
Utah Jazz (43-26) vs. Denver Nuggets (45-24)
The Nuggets can draw within half a game of the No. 2 seed in the West with a win and a Clippers loss.
The Jazz would be eliminated from controversy for the No. 3 seed with a loss and a Denver win.
Los Angeles Lakers (51-17) vs. Indiana Pacers (42-27)
The Lakers have already claimed the No. 1 seed in the West.
Indiana will either stay in the 4-5 matchup with a win or fall to sixth in the East with a loss. Two of the Pacers’ last three seeding games come against Miami, their potential opponent of the first round in a 4-5 series.
Phoenix Suns (30-39) vs. Miami Heat (43-26)
The Suns will remain in the hunt for a play-in series in the West with a win. A loss would put Phoenix two games out of ninth place with three left – a magic number of two before being eliminated.
Miami would be eliminated from controversy for the No. 3 seed in the West with a loss.
Milwaukee Bucks (55-14) vs. Dallas Mavericks (41-30).
The Bucks have the no. 1-seed in the East already claimed.
The Mavericks would drop a half game away from being locked up with a loss in the seventh seed in the West.
Who and what to see
Special appearances occur with greater frequency when Damian Lillard dies after playoff life. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
The Damian Lillard Experience
There was nothing more enjoyable in the NBA than watching Stephen Curry get hot. As unlikely as it is for LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard to methodically set up their will to opponents, there is something relative to look at in a boy who would not be the greatest man on just about any high school team in the country. games at the highest level dominate the sport. Maybe it’s Curry’s absence this season, but I’m starting to think there’s no greater NBA fun than watching Damian Lillard turn the Blazers into controversy.
Lillard’s buzzman to snatch a 50-point night and eliminate the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs last season was the game of legend. It came five years after he did the same with the Rockets. Those nights seem to occur with greater regularity for Lillard, whose performance of 45 points, 12 assists in a win over the Nuggets on Thursday night was the last in a string of special games from the 6-foot-3 point guard.
The Blazers actually have no company that is considered a pointer in the West, something with the favorites so superstar-laden. CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic are nice second and third options, but they are not Anthony Davis or Paul George. Portland’s defense is terrible, mostly because they are unable to find possible wings to support their three chapters. (But what a revelation Gary Trent Jr. has been to Orlando!)
However, with Lillard at the helm, you can not help but wonder if the Blazers can challenge the subdued Lakers in the first round, if they can only secure the eighth seed. A win over the Clippers on Saturday would not only improve their chances of securing the West’s last playoff spot, but prove they can play with anyone, even if Kawhi Leonard is meant to rest for the game.
The Milwaukee defense’s sensitivity to hot shots
We harped them a bit, but it could really win the Bucks from a championship. Using their efforts to protect the edge, they allow more wide open field attempts and marks than any other team. She NBA’s top-rated defense is especially vulnerable over time.
You know who’s good at shooting three-pointers? Lots of quality playoff teams. The Rockets led 21 on Monday in 61 attempts at victory over Milwaukee on Monday, and it took a 23-point comeback by the Bucks to prevent the Jimmy Butler-less Heat from doing the same on 21-for-46 shots from deep on Thursday . As a result, the Nets – one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league this season – made 21 of their 57 three-point attempts in a shocking Milwaukee call. It’s the Bucks ‘Achilles’ heel.
Now, it turns out that the Mavericks, owners of the greatest offensive rating in NBA history, are also good at shooting threes. They have made more per game than anyone other than the Rockets. Dallas has converted its 42.3 long-range attempts per game at a rate of five inside the bubble, but if wide open continues to come with a greater frequency against the Bucks, Saturday’s matchup could be a chance to her to party. It is safe to say that four straight games making 21 or more threes would be a tricky trend for Milwaukee.
