We're a week away from the opening round of NBA playoffs and there are still a few things to be sorted out in the standings.
Naturally, there are a few teams with plenty to play for.
With that in mind, here's how the results from Tuesday's five-game slate impacted the standings in the Eastern and Western Conference.
Dallas Mavericks 122, Utah Jazz 114
After winning an overtime thriller less than 48 hours ago, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis didn't suit up for the Mavericks.
They still found a way.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the way with 27 points (on 11-for-15 shooting) and four assists as Dallas enjoyed a balanced attack that also saw Seth Curry score 22 points (on 8-for-11 shooting), Boban Marjanovic finish with 20 points and nine rebounds and J.J. Barea contribute with 18 points and eight assists.
Donovan Mitchell didn't suit up for the Jazz, who were led by 18 points from Jordan Clarkson in 14 minutes. Rookie Rayjon Tucker came off the bench to score 17 points, shooting 4-for-7 from the field and 8-for-9 from the charity stripe.
No Jazz starter saw more than 16 minutes of action.
What it means: The Mavericks are now one game behind the Jazz in the standings with two games to play, meaning Dallas could still pass Utah in the standings.
The Jazz are still a half-game behind the Thunder and remain in sixth with one game left on their schedule.
Phoenix Suns 128, Oklahoma City Thunder 101
The hottest team in the NBA stays hot.
Behind 35 points (on 9-for-17 shooting) from Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns moved to a perfect 6-0 at the NBA restart to keep their playoff hopes alive. Rookie Cameron Johnson and second-year forward Mikal Bridges scored 18 points apiece while Ricky Rubio dished out nine assists.
OKC prioritized rest in this one, with Steven Adams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari all missing this one and Dennis Schroder still away from the NBA campus to be with his wife and their newborn child.
Rookie Darius Bazley led the way for the Thunder with 22 points while Chris Paul scored 14 points and dished out seven assists in 24 minutes of action.
What it means: Phoenix still has a shot as it is within a half-game of the West's ninth seed and a full game of the No. 8 seed. The Suns don't control their own destiny just yet and will need to win out to help themselves as much as possible.
OKC stays at fifth in the West, for now, holding a half-game lead over the sixth-seeded Utah Jazz.
Toronto Raptors 114, Milwaukee Bucks 106
In a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, several big names were missing in this one — Giannis Antetokounmpo (tooth), Kyle Lowry (back), Fred VanVleet (knee) and Serge Ibaka (knee).
Down three key players, the Raptors' role players got some valuable extended minutes on court, with Chris Boucher leading the way with a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Matt Thomas had the hot hand, drilling 4-of-8 from the 3-point line on his way to a career-high 22 points.
*ON REPEAT*@Theiceman_21 👀 pic.twitter.com/KGro3V3yFv
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 10, 2020
Kyle Korver was the Bucks' leading scorer with 19 points off the bench, while Khris Middleton added 17.
What it means: There wasn't much at stake in this game, with the Bucks and Raptors locked into the no.1 and no. 2 seeds in the East. Will we see these teams meet again in the post-season?
Miami Heat 114, Indiana Pacers 92
T.J. Warren vs. Jimmy Butler!
The much-hyped matchup between the pair went Butler's way as the Heat star returned after a three-game absence (foot soreness) with 19 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in 29 minutes, while holding Warren to 12 points 5-of-14 shooting.
After a tight first half, the Heat blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 37-23, taking a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter and they never looked back.
It's #22's game.
— x - Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 11, 2020
19 Pts | 11 Rebs | 5 Asts | 4 Stls | 1 Blk pic.twitter.com/P4LtERIg0r
What it means: The Pacers missed a chance to leapfrog the Heat for the fourth-seed in the Eastern Conference. Now, 1.0 game back in the standings, the two teams will meet again before the final standings are decided.
Los Angeles Lakers 124, Denver Nuggets 121
Kyle Kuzma for the win!!!
With 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock and the scores tied at 121-121, Kyle Kuzma buried the CLUTCH three-pointer from the wing bring the Lakers' three-game losing skid to a halt.
Kuzma finished the night with 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting, while Anthony Davis added 27 and LeBron James finished with 29 points and 12 assists.
WHAT A SHOT BY KUZMA 🤯 pic.twitter.com/l0KKnjfJOd
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 11, 2020
What it means: The Nuggets missed an opportunity to edge closer to the LA Clippers for the no.2 seed with today's loss. If the Rockets beat the Spurs and the Nuggets lose to the Clippers, Houston can leapfrog Denver into the third seed.
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