Monday: Golden State @ New Orleans 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Denver @ L.A. Lakers 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Tuesday: Brooklyn @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST TNT, Toronto @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: San Antonio @ Utah 9:00 PM EST NBATv
Thursday: Brooklyn @ Dallas 7:30 PM EST TNT, L.A. Lakers @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 TNT
Friday: Boston @ Chicago 7:30 PM EST ESPN, L.A. Lakers @ Portland 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Washington @ Indiana 7:00 PM EST NBATv, Brooklyn @ Denver 10:00 PM EST NBATv
Sunday: Miami @ Boston 1:00 PM EST ESPN, New York @ L.A. Clippers 3:30 PM EST ESPN, New Orleans @ Charlotte 7:00 PM EST NBATv, Phoenix @ L.A. Lakers 10:00 PM EST NBATv
NBA News
As Lakers season unravels LeBron rips play- in (Sounds like a baby, just like Luka) -https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/313 ... lose-again
Speaking of the baby - Luka Doncic on brink of suspension after receiving two more technical fouls - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/313 ... ical-fouls
Countdown to playoffs: Suns may be latest to win finals after missing playoffs previous year - https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 913957001/
Power Rankings Roundup
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/313 ... ng-stretch
#1 Phoenix Suns
With their playoff spot already clinched, the only thing left to decide for the Suns is seeding. And Phoenix is shooting for the stars. The Suns have their eyes on the top overall seed. If the Suns can beat out the Jazz and take the No. 1 overall seed into the playoffs, it will be the first time they've done so since 2005, when they were ousted in the conference finals. (Phoenix also secured the No. 1 overall seed in 1981 and 1993.) -- Lopez
This week: @CLE, @ATL, NYK, @LAL
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba- ... gets-rise/#1 Suns
The Suns moved into the top spot after going undefeated with some big games last week. Phoenix stopped the Knicks' win streak, outlasted the Clippers and tuned up the Jazz. They even managed to avoid the trap game against the Thunder.
Chris Paul has jumped into the MVP conversation with his play down the stretch of close games. He scored the final seven points in their win over the Knicks and helped to seal the win over the Clippers. Paul's 1.6 points in games with a three-point differential with three minutes leads the Suns. His veteran presence keeps Phoenix steady in those situations. Devin Booker is right behind him with 1.5 points; those two combining for 3.2 points is a great duo to have in close games.
The Suns now own not just the top spot of the power rankings but the best record in the NBA. The one thing that may trip up Phoenix is that six of their eight remaining games are on the road.
https://theathletic.com/2543574/2021/05 ... -30-teams/#1 Suns
The Suns beat the Knicks, Clippers, Jazz and Thunder this week and, ironically, the closest game was against OKC. That's enough to get them to the top spot in this week's Power Rankings, behind 29.3 points per game from Devin Booker. Chris Paul has legitimately entered the MVP conversation -- whatever that means -- putting up 19.5 points and nine assists this week on 61 percent shooting from the field. Phoenix is now tied with Utah for the No. 1 seed in the West, and the best record in the NBA. What a year.
#1 Suns
Weekly slate: Win at Knicks, Win over Clippers, Win over Jazz, Win at Thunder
Prediction for the final stretch/playoffs: Phoenix Suns finish with the top seed, and they handle their business until the second round.
That win over Utah this week was massive for many reasons. Six of their last eight games are on the road, but the Suns have been great all season. Also, the competition in a lot of these final eight games isn’t very tough. Granted, Utah’s schedule the rest of the way isn’t exactly going to have them trembling, but they still have to work their star guard back into the mix. Phoenix, on the other hand, has everything clicking and working in its favor. What a remarkable season for this franchise, and hopefully it’s just the beginning. It’ll be tough if they have to face the Lakers in the second round, but this season is a win for them.
Why are they ranked here? They stopped the Knicks’ winning streak. They took down a solid Clippers team (sans Kawhi Leonard). Then they demolished Utah. The Suns are gunning for that 1-seed, and they’re in prime position to take it. I apologize in advance for the curse, Phoenix.