Thunder Face Pivotal Game Against Red-Hot Suns
The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Phoenix Suns on Monday at Orlando.
The Thunder (43-26) are coming off a 121-103 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, and they have gone 3-2 in their bubble games so far. Oklahoma City has already clinched a playoff spot, but they are up for grabs when it comes to their final seeding. Right now, the Thunder are in the midst of a three-team race with the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz to see which team ends in fourth place or, in other words, which team will avoid the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder will need to be at their best Monday, as the Suns have been the league's most dominant team since play restarted July 30th -- something that would've been unthinkable a few months ago.
Oklahoma City lists several absentees for this contest, with Nerlens Noel (ankle), Steven Adams (leg), Andre Roberson (foot) and Dennis Schroder (personal) all being listed as questionable or worse. Isaiah Roby (foot) is out for the remainder of the season.
The Suns (31-39) remain the only undefeated team in the Orlando bubble after going 5-0, and that hot streak -- coupled with inconsistent runs from teams such as the Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans -- has the Suns very much alive in the race for a spot in the Western Conference's play-in round. They are just 2.0 games behind Memphis in the race for the eighth seed, although the San Antonio Spurs are also in that logjam. Either way, Phoenix has looked far better than what anyone could have expected, scoring at least 114 points in each of their wins in the Orlando bubble. They will need another strong offensive performance if they want to pull the upset Monday against the Thunder.
Phoenix lists Kelly Oubre as doubtful due to a knee injury, while Elie Okobo (ankle) and Aron Baynes (knee) have been listed as out. Tariq Owens (not injury related) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The Thunder (43-26) are coming off a 121-103 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, and they have gone 3-2 in their bubble games so far. Oklahoma City has already clinched a playoff spot, but they are up for grabs when it comes to their final seeding. Right now, the Thunder are in the midst of a three-team race with the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz to see which team ends in fourth place or, in other words, which team will avoid the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder will need to be at their best Monday, as the Suns have been the league's most dominant team since play restarted July 30th -- something that would've been unthinkable a few months ago.
Oklahoma City lists several absentees for this contest, with Nerlens Noel (ankle), Steven Adams (leg), Andre Roberson (foot) and Dennis Schroder (personal) all being listed as questionable or worse. Isaiah Roby (foot) is out for the remainder of the season.
The Suns (31-39) remain the only undefeated team in the Orlando bubble after going 5-0, and that hot streak -- coupled with inconsistent runs from teams such as the Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans -- has the Suns very much alive in the race for a spot in the Western Conference's play-in round. They are just 2.0 games behind Memphis in the race for the eighth seed, although the San Antonio Spurs are also in that logjam. Either way, Phoenix has looked far better than what anyone could have expected, scoring at least 114 points in each of their wins in the Orlando bubble. They will need another strong offensive performance if they want to pull the upset Monday against the Thunder.
Phoenix lists Kelly Oubre as doubtful due to a knee injury, while Elie Okobo (ankle) and Aron Baynes (knee) have been listed as out. Tariq Owens (not injury related) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Mavs Without Top Stars Against Jazz
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks play the Utah Jazz on Monday at Orlando.
The Mavs are coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Bucks on Saturday, where Luka Doncic led the way with a brilliant triple-double, including 36 points, a career-high 19 assists, and 14 rebounds, in 42 minutes of action. Doncic came up clutch with two free throws to send the game to overtime and continued to lead the charge through the extra frame. Doncic (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (knee) are listed as out for Monday's contest, which is likely more of a precautionary measure, since it marks the first night of a back-to-back. The Mavs have clinched a playoff spot but still have room to move, as they sit two games behind the Jazz, who hold sixth place. They do not have any danger of slipping lower than seventh, as they sit 8.5 games ahead of the eighth seed. Delon Wright will likely play a bigger role in the absence of Doncic, while Maxi Kleber and Boban Marjanovic will likely see extended minutes in the absence of Porzingis.
Meanwhile, the Jazz are coming off a heart-breaking, but thrilling, double overtime loss against the Nuggets on Saturday. Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 35 points on 12-of-33 shooting, while Rudy Gobert added 22 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Joe Ingles tallied 11 points, along with a season-high 13 assists. Mike Conley totaled 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jordan Clarkson continued his solid play off the bench, with 19 points in 26 minutes of action. The loss marked the second straight for the Jazz, who now sit 0.5 games out of fifth place in the West. They have a good chance to make up some lost ground, especially with the Mavs resting Doncic and Porzingis. Jazz sit 2.0 games ahead of the Mavericks in the standings, so not only can they possibly move up with a win, but a loss would be very costly and could result in them slipping to seventh place before the playoffs begin.
The Mavs are coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Bucks on Saturday, where Luka Doncic led the way with a brilliant triple-double, including 36 points, a career-high 19 assists, and 14 rebounds, in 42 minutes of action. Doncic came up clutch with two free throws to send the game to overtime and continued to lead the charge through the extra frame. Doncic (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (knee) are listed as out for Monday's contest, which is likely more of a precautionary measure, since it marks the first night of a back-to-back. The Mavs have clinched a playoff spot but still have room to move, as they sit two games behind the Jazz, who hold sixth place. They do not have any danger of slipping lower than seventh, as they sit 8.5 games ahead of the eighth seed. Delon Wright will likely play a bigger role in the absence of Doncic, while Maxi Kleber and Boban Marjanovic will likely see extended minutes in the absence of Porzingis.
Meanwhile, the Jazz are coming off a heart-breaking, but thrilling, double overtime loss against the Nuggets on Saturday. Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 35 points on 12-of-33 shooting, while Rudy Gobert added 22 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Joe Ingles tallied 11 points, along with a season-high 13 assists. Mike Conley totaled 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jordan Clarkson continued his solid play off the bench, with 19 points in 26 minutes of action. The loss marked the second straight for the Jazz, who now sit 0.5 games out of fifth place in the West. They have a good chance to make up some lost ground, especially with the Mavs resting Doncic and Porzingis. Jazz sit 2.0 games ahead of the Mavericks in the standings, so not only can they possibly move up with a win, but a loss would be very costly and could result in them slipping to seventh place before the playoffs begin.
Raptors, Bucks Collide In Eastern Conference Showdown
The Toronto Raptors will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at Orlando.
The Raptors (50-19) are coming off a 108-99 win Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, and that result clinched them the second seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, although the reigning NBA champions have bigger goals than just finishing in second place in the Conference. Toronto has gone 4-1 in the Orlando bubble so far, and they have clinched wins over teams such as the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers, so they don't problems when facing top teams -- although playing the Bucks could be an entirely different test for the Canadian franchise. One of the team's biggest surprises has been the play of combo guard Fred VanVleet, who has scored at least 13 points in every bubble game so far while effectively settling as the team's third offensive option behind Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam.
Toronto lists Oshae Brissett as a game-time decision due to a knee problem, while Patrick McCaw will miss the rest of the season due to the same ailment.
Meanwhile, the Bucks (55-15) have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Orlando bubble so far, since they have not looked like the same dominant franchise that steamrolled past their rivals in the first months of the 2019-20 NBA season. Instead, MIlwaukee has gone 2-3 in the Orlando bubble and are coming off a disappointing 136-132 overtime loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. The play of some of their star players -- mainly Khris Middleton -- and the lack of depth have both been indicated as factors for Milwaukee's struggles, although both were two of the team's biggest strengths before play was suspended back in March. Either way, the Bucks need to figure things out sooner than later as the playoffs are right around the corner.
Milwaukee lists Giannis Antetokounmpo as questionable due to a mouth problem, although all signs indicate he will be available for this contest.
The Raptors (50-19) are coming off a 108-99 win Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, and that result clinched them the second seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, although the reigning NBA champions have bigger goals than just finishing in second place in the Conference. Toronto has gone 4-1 in the Orlando bubble so far, and they have clinched wins over teams such as the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers, so they don't problems when facing top teams -- although playing the Bucks could be an entirely different test for the Canadian franchise. One of the team's biggest surprises has been the play of combo guard Fred VanVleet, who has scored at least 13 points in every bubble game so far while effectively settling as the team's third offensive option behind Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam.
Toronto lists Oshae Brissett as a game-time decision due to a knee problem, while Patrick McCaw will miss the rest of the season due to the same ailment.
Meanwhile, the Bucks (55-15) have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Orlando bubble so far, since they have not looked like the same dominant franchise that steamrolled past their rivals in the first months of the 2019-20 NBA season. Instead, MIlwaukee has gone 2-3 in the Orlando bubble and are coming off a disappointing 136-132 overtime loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. The play of some of their star players -- mainly Khris Middleton -- and the lack of depth have both been indicated as factors for Milwaukee's struggles, although both were two of the team's biggest strengths before play was suspended back in March. Either way, the Bucks need to figure things out sooner than later as the playoffs are right around the corner.
Milwaukee lists Giannis Antetokounmpo as questionable due to a mouth problem, although all signs indicate he will be available for this contest.
Pacers and Heat Tangle In Conference Showdown
The Indiana Pacers take on the Miami Heat in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Monday night.
The Pacers (43-27) have mostly thrived during the restart to the season, as they've won four of their first five seeding games and have drawn even with the Heat record-wise. Miami does have the head-to-head advantage over Indiana for the No. 4 seed, however, making this game a golden opportunity for the Pacers to make some headway. Indy's most recent success came at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers, which they toppled by a 116-111 score on Saturday evening. T.J. Warren once again paced Indiana in scoring with 39 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Malcolm Brogdon turned in 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Victor Oladipo contributed 22 points, seven boards, five assists and one steal. Aaron Holiday and Myles Turner had matching seven-point tallies, with Holiday adding seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and one block.
The Pacers will list Warren (foot) as questionable for Monday's game. Domantas Sabonis (foot) remains away from Orlando.
The Heat (43-27) has been trending in the opposite direction of their opponent thus far, as they've dropped three of their first five seeding games. Their most recent stumble came against the red-hot Phoenix Suns, which toppled them by a 119-112 score Saturday night, a game the Heat was forced to play without Jimmy Butler (foot), Goran Dragic (ankle) and Kendrick Nunn (personal). Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro co-led the Heat with 25 points apiece, with Herro also dishing out 10 assists and pulling down eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo followed with 18 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and one steal. Jae Crowder poured in 17 points, while Andre Iguodala furnished 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Heat will list Butler as questionable for Monday's game, but he was able to practice Sunday and is on track to play. Dragic also went through a full practice Sunday and is likewise expected to suit up, while Nunn (personal) remains out.
Monday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Heat owns a 2-0 series lead, having notched 113-112 and 122-108 wins Dec. 27 and Jan. 8, respectively.
The Pacers (43-27) have mostly thrived during the restart to the season, as they've won four of their first five seeding games and have drawn even with the Heat record-wise. Miami does have the head-to-head advantage over Indiana for the No. 4 seed, however, making this game a golden opportunity for the Pacers to make some headway. Indy's most recent success came at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers, which they toppled by a 116-111 score on Saturday evening. T.J. Warren once again paced Indiana in scoring with 39 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Malcolm Brogdon turned in 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Victor Oladipo contributed 22 points, seven boards, five assists and one steal. Aaron Holiday and Myles Turner had matching seven-point tallies, with Holiday adding seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and one block.
The Pacers will list Warren (foot) as questionable for Monday's game. Domantas Sabonis (foot) remains away from Orlando.
The Heat (43-27) has been trending in the opposite direction of their opponent thus far, as they've dropped three of their first five seeding games. Their most recent stumble came against the red-hot Phoenix Suns, which toppled them by a 119-112 score Saturday night, a game the Heat was forced to play without Jimmy Butler (foot), Goran Dragic (ankle) and Kendrick Nunn (personal). Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro co-led the Heat with 25 points apiece, with Herro also dishing out 10 assists and pulling down eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo followed with 18 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and one steal. Jae Crowder poured in 17 points, while Andre Iguodala furnished 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Heat will list Butler as questionable for Monday's game, but he was able to practice Sunday and is on track to play. Dragic also went through a full practice Sunday and is likewise expected to suit up, while Nunn (personal) remains out.
Monday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Heat owns a 2-0 series lead, having notched 113-112 and 122-108 wins Dec. 27 and Jan. 8, respectively.
Lakers Face Nuggets on Monday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Denver Nuggets in Orlando on Monday.
The Nuggets (46-24) were struggling a bit coming into the Orlando restart and it's not like they've been great since arriving in Florida. They are now 8-8 across their last 16 games in total but many of those have come against tough competition. In fact, all but five of those games came against teams who aren't in the postseason, going 6-7 against the playoff teams. That's certainly not a good sign with the postseason about a week away but the 2OT win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday is certainly an encouraging sign. Jamal Murray made his return from injury in that victory and he changes the whole dynamic for this team on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers (51-18) have also been disappointing in this restart, losing three straight and five of their last seven in total. One has to wonder just how serious this club is right now with the top-seed in the west locked up, looking lackluster in many of these games. Anthony Davis has looked particularly disinterested, scoring 34 combined points over the last three games while shooting 11-of-33 from the field. That's unacceptable from one of the most talented players in our game and it's time for him to get ready for playoff basketball. That's led to this club averaging fewer than 100 points per game in their last four losses and that's truly mind-blowing when you see their 113.2 average for the season.
This marks the fourth meeting between these teams, with Los Angeles winning two of three. In fact, the road team was victorious in all three of the previous meetings.
The Nuggets (46-24) were struggling a bit coming into the Orlando restart and it's not like they've been great since arriving in Florida. They are now 8-8 across their last 16 games in total but many of those have come against tough competition. In fact, all but five of those games came against teams who aren't in the postseason, going 6-7 against the playoff teams. That's certainly not a good sign with the postseason about a week away but the 2OT win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday is certainly an encouraging sign. Jamal Murray made his return from injury in that victory and he changes the whole dynamic for this team on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers (51-18) have also been disappointing in this restart, losing three straight and five of their last seven in total. One has to wonder just how serious this club is right now with the top-seed in the west locked up, looking lackluster in many of these games. Anthony Davis has looked particularly disinterested, scoring 34 combined points over the last three games while shooting 11-of-33 from the field. That's unacceptable from one of the most talented players in our game and it's time for him to get ready for playoff basketball. That's led to this club averaging fewer than 100 points per game in their last four losses and that's truly mind-blowing when you see their 113.2 average for the season.
This marks the fourth meeting between these teams, with Los Angeles winning two of three. In fact, the road team was victorious in all three of the previous meetings.