On the second-to-last day of the 2020-21 regular season, the playoff picture is still taking shape.
With six games around the league, we've got you covered with all the final scores, highlights, as well as explanations on how each game's result plays a role in seeding for the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets 105, Chicago Bulls 91
Kyrie Irving's 22 points propelled the Nets to a much-needed win.
Clean look for @KyrieIrving 👌 pic.twitter.com/9DKazWE7gS
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 15, 2021
Playoff implications: With the win, the Nets put the pressure on the Bucks in the race for the No. 2 seed, with Brooklyn holding a 1.0 game lead.
The Bucks still have a chance for the No. 2 seed because they hold the tiebreaker over Brooklyn. It would come down to the final game of the season for each team tomorrow, where the Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Bucks visit the Bulls.
Los Angeles Lakers 122, Indiana Pacers 115
Anthony Davis dominated in his first game back, going for 28 points and 10 rebounds in a win.
AD on the way 🆙 pic.twitter.com/gQANpzZeaT
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 15, 2021
Playoff implications: The Lakers are once again tied with the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 6 seed in the West, but the Blazers hold the tiebreaker over Los Angeles. With that being said, the Lakers draw the more favourable matchup heading into the final game, traveling to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans, while Portland will host the Denver Nuggets.
As for the Pacers, this loss has them locked in to the Nine-Ten Play-In game in the East. Their seed in that game is still to be determined, but they will face off against the loser of tomorrow's Hornets-Wizards battle.
New York Knicks 118, Charlotte Hornets 109 (OT)
Julius Randle does it again. He drops a triple-double of 33 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds as the Knicks fight off the Hornets in OT.
Sixth triple-double of the season for Julius:
— x - NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 15, 2021
◾️ 33 PTS
◾️ 12 AST
◾️ 10 REB
All-NBA. pic.twitter.com/iDRIsgDAXa
Playoff implications: The win catapults the Knicks into fourth place (and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs) for the time-being. They own the same record as the Atlanta Hawks but the tiebreaker gives New York the edge.
As for the Hornets, the loss misses an opportunity to clinch the No. 8 seed in the Play-In Tournament. Now, tomorrow's contest against the Wizards will decide which team earns that eighth seed.
Boston Celtics 124, Minnesota Timberwolves 108
The Celtics won this one handily but the play of the game goes to Timberwolves forward Jake Layman, who dunked all over Tacko Fall.
Jake Layman climbs the LADDER 😳 pic.twitter.com/qexav3ExgS
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2021
Playoff implications: This was the only game of the day that had no playoff implications attached to it. The Celtics have already clinched the No. 7 seed and home court for the Seven-Eight Play-In game, now, they just await the result of tomorrow's Hornets-Wizards game to see who their opponent will be.
Phoenix Suns 140, San Antonio Spurs 103
Devin Booker's 27 points led the Suns to a blowout victory over the Spurs.
Poetry in motion.@ConnsHomePlus #MakeItHappen pic.twitter.com/JfIW5nq0cB
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 15, 2021
Playoff implications: With the win, the Suns hold out hope of retaining the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, just one game back from the Utah Jazz. They own the tiebreaker over the Jazz, so it all comes down to the result of tomorrow's games. The Suns play the Spurs again, while the Jazz travel to take on the Sacramento Kings. A win for Utah would clinch them the top seed in the conference.
As for the Spurs, they were already locked in to the No. 10 seed in the Play-In Tournament regardless of today (or tomorrow)'s result.
Milwaukee Bucks 122, Miami Heat 108
The Bucks piled up the points in the first quarter, outscoring the Heat 44-28 and they never looked back, leading by as mant as 24 points in the game.
Seven players scored in double figures in the win, led by 21 points apiece from Khris Middleton and Bryn Forbes, while Jrue Holiday added 20 points and 10 assists.
Playing without Himmy Butlr, the Heat were led by 31 points from Kendrick Nunn
The best plays from tonight’s WIN over Miami!! pic.twitter.com/SLtVR3m3tW
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 16, 2021
Playoff implications: Following the Knicks' win earlier in the night and the Heat's loss, Miami drops to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings with just one game remaining. Meanwhile, the Bucks are within 1.0 game of the No.2 seed Brooklyn Nets.
They can climb to the second seed if they win their final game on the road against the Chicago Bulls and the Nets lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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