How Wednesday's results impact the playoff picture in the Eastern and Western Conference

NBA.com Staff

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How Wednesday's results impact the playoff picture in the Eastern and Western Conference image

The NBA's seeding game schedule is winding down, but there's still plenty to play for.

The San Antonio Spurs and streaking Phoenix Suns kept their playoff hopes alive with wins. The race for the eighth seed in the West got even tighter with these results.

Here's how the standings were impacted from Wednesday's seven-game slate:

San Antonio Spurs 123, Houston Rockets 105

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Rookie Keldon Johnson put forth an impressive performance, finishing with a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double in 25 minutes off the bench and DeMar DeRozan led all Spurs starters with 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting.

It was another balanced offensive effort from San Antonio, as the team saw seven different players finish in double figures.

James Harden sat out for the Rockets but Russell Westbrook returned to the lineup, finishing with 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 27 minutes. Jeff Green added 17 points and rookie Chris Clemons scored 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench.

What it means: The Spurs still have a shot to qualify for the postseason, but they'll need some help.

San Antonio is a half-game behind Portland and are locked in a three-way tie with the Grizzlies and Suns.

The Rockets still hold the West's fourth seed, holding a 1.5 game lead over the fifth-seeded Thunder.

Brooklyn Nets 108, Orlando Magic 96

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The Nets went on a 21-3 run in the first quarter, led by as many as 21 points, and essentially put on an overall dominant performance despite being without Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris and Caris LeVert.

In their absence, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot and Jeremiah Martin each finished with a game-high 24 points apiece. Dzanan Musa added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes of action.

The Magic, who were without Mo Bamba, Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross, were led by 18 points in 22 minutes from Markelle Fultz, who exited the game early after tweaking his hip. Orlando can ill-afford any more hits to its rotation as it prepares for a playoff date with the Milwaukee Bucks.

What it means: Of all games, this result is the most inconsequential, as Brooklyn is locked into the East's No. 7 seed and Orlando is locked in as No. 8.

Phoenix Suns 130, Philadelphia 76ers 117

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Another day....another win for the Phoenix Suns!

The Suns continue their undefeated run in the bubble, moving to a 7-0 record, behind another big performance from young star Devin Booker. 

Booker poured in 35 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, plus one posterizing dunk!

Booker is now the Suns' franchise leader in 30-point games, with 91 in his short career.

The 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, and Ben Simmons, were led by 23 points from Alec Burks, 22 points from Raul Neto and a near triple-double from Kyle O'Quinn, who finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.

What it means: The Suns are now tied for the ninth seed with the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. All three teams trail the eighth-seeded Trail Blazers by half-a-game. 

Boston Celtics 122, Memphis Grizzlies 107

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Jayson Tatum filled it up for the Celtics, scoring 29 points on an efficient 10-of-13 from the field and 4-of-5 from the 3-point line . He led six players in double figures on the night, with Kemba Wlaker and Gordon Hayward recoridng 19 points apiece.


Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points and 13 assists for his 14th double-double of the season as they fall to a 1-6 record in the bubble.

What it means: Following the Portland Trail Blazers' win over the Dallas Mavericks, the Grizzlies now fall out of the eighth seed and now sit ninth. They need to win their final seeding game against the Milwaukee Bucks to secure their spot in the play-in tournament. If they lose, they'll need the Suns and Spurs to also lose their final seeding games to sneak in.

Portland Trail Blazers 134, Dallas Mavericks 131

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DAME TIME!

Damian Lillard continued his sizzling form in Orlando, matching his career-high with 61 POINTS against the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the sixth player in NBA history with three career 60-point games and joins Wilt Chamberlain as the only players ever to have three 60-point games in a single season. 

He was on fire wire-to-wire, but took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 points and assisting on eight of the Blazers' 36 points in the final frame, including this deep triple to tie it up late. 

Clutch.

What it means: With the win, the Blazers are now in sole possession of the eighth seed, sitting 0.5 of a game up on the Grizzlies, Suns, and Spurs. If they beat the Brooklyn Nets in their final seeding game, they're assured of a place in the play-in tournament.

Sacramento Kings 112, New Orleans Pelicans 106

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The Kings and Pelicans were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week, meaning this game carried a lot less meaning than it did when it first appeared on the schedule. 

Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 25 points and eight rebounds as the Kings picked up just their second win in the bubble.

Jahlil Okafor put in an impressive display for the Pelicans, recording a team-high 21 points, while Frank Jackson added 18 off the bench and Lonzo Ball 16.

Milwaukee Bucks 126, Washington Wizards 113

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Another game with no impact on the standings, but there was no shortage of drama after Giannis Antetokounmpo was ejected after headbutting Moe Wagner early in the second quarter after he was called for a charge.

Missing key starters in Eric Bledsoe, Wes Matthews, and Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez was dialed in, recorded a team-high 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting and a perfect 5-of-5 from three. 

Sterling Brown added 23 points off the bench and Frank Mason 19 as the Bucks move to a 3-4 record through seven seeding games. 

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NBA.com Staff

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