The NBA playoffs is just around the corner. And with a few games remaining, the postseason matchups are already being determined one by one.
The Eastern Conference landscape is already set while the same can’t be said for the Western Conference given the tight race for the final playoff berth as the Blazers, Grizzlies, Suns, and Spurs are entangled in a four-way race to the eighth seed.
But before we get into the possible playoff play-in scenarios, basketball fans were treated to a four-game slate to where we’ve seen these playoff-bound squads go at it.
The Pacers and Thunder have notched comeback wins while the Raptors and Clippers continue their roll as they’ve both secured the second spot in their respective conferences.
SBOBET brings you last night’s set of NBA 2020 results.
Indiana Pacers 108-104 Houston Rockets
Despite having low NBA 2020 odds to win this game, the Pacers were able to finally break their losing skid against the Rockets.
Myles Turner and Edmond Sumner led the way with 18 and 17 points respectively as they managed to fend off Houston to avert a late collapse.
It looked as if the Pacers were going to cruise with a victory when they led by 14 points in less than six minutes left. However, the Rockets were fueled by James Harden’s scoring exploits as they cut the deficit to only two points with 27 seconds remaining.
The Pacers were teetering when Victor Oladipo missed a three-pointer, but Myles Turner kept the ball alive for his team by tipping it out to Justin Holiday with six seconds left.
Justin Holiday knocked down the ensuing free throws to secure Indiana’s first victory against Houston since February 2017.
It was a good win for the Pacers especially after they got word that their head coach in Nate McMillan was awarded a contract extension.
The Pacers were also without Malcolm Brogdon and TJ Warren, who were instrumental cogs to their torrid start in the bubble.
For Houston, James Harden had to carry the load with Russell Westbrook out and he notched 45 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists in the losing effort.
Toronto Raptors 125-121 Philadelphia Sixers
The Raptors came out with a victory against the Sixers to improve to a 6-1 bubble record.
After trailing by double digits in the final period, the defending champions rallied their way back with two minutes to play.
It was a wire-to-wire win that came down to the final seconds. With the game level with less than 10 seconds remaining, an unlikely hero stepped up for the Raptors.
When the Raptors missed a late attempt to break the tie, the ball ricocheted to Stanley Johnson who was at the right place and at the right time for a timely putback.
In the ensuing possession, the Sixers made a costly turnover and that effectively ended the game.
Chris Boucher continues to play well for the Raptors as he and Kyle Lowry led their team in scoring with 19 apiece, while Tobias Harris topscored with 22 for the Sixers.
Oklahoma City Thunder 116-115 Miami Heat
The Thunder sealed their place in the postseason in a thrilling win against the Heat, and they did so by overcoming a huge deficit in the final period.
Miami were threatening to run away with the victory anchored by their superb first half performance. The Erik Spoelstra-coached squad scored 42 points in the first quarter and shot 56-per cent in the first half.
Down by 22 points in the final frame, OKC mounted a huge comeback led by Darius Bazley and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished with 21 and 18 points.
With the Thunder still trailing by three points, it was Mike Muscala who saved the day.
The stretch forward drew level for the Thunder with a three with 35 seconds remaining, but the Heat replied with a driving layup by Solomon Hill with 12 seconds left.
In the ensuing play, Mike Muscala scored his second basket of the night with one more three-pointer and Tyler Herro missed a deep three at the buzzer.
Los Angeles Clippers 124-111 Denver Nuggets
The Clippers wrapped up the second seed in the Western Conference with their latest victory against the Nuggets.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were back to their usual selves by leading Los Angeles in scoring. George scored 27 points while Leonard added 26.
The duo were instrumental as to why the Clippers took firm control of the game in the third period.
Midway through the third quarter, Paul George knocked down two three-pointers and Kawhi Leonard made a couple of baskets and defensive stops to try and extend their advantage.
Then in the fourth period, Lou Williams made some timely baskets to take the lead for good. The Sixth Man of the Year candidate finished with 23 points.
Jerami Grant topscored for the Nuggets with 25 points while Nikola Jokic added 17 points and 13 assists, but the latter sat much of the fourth quarter because of Mike Malone’s decision to rest his key players.
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