We made it! It’s the last NBA Matchups for the regular season, and I’ve got to say I’ve never been looking forward to the postseason more than this year. In the last two months, the tanking was out of control, and it was really tough to even dig in on the massive slates. I’m super pumped to get to break down every player again for the postseason next week. It’s going to be awesome.
MIL @ DET | ORL @ IND | ATL @ PHI | CHA @ BOS | CLE @ NYK | WAS @ CHI | MIA @ NOP | TOR @ DAL | BKN @ MIN | MEM @ DEN | OKC @ UTA | SAS @ PHX | GSW @ POR | LAC @ SAC | HOU @ LAL
With 15 games on the slate, I’m just going to hit the motivation for each team here.
Unclear Motivation
Indiana – You would think the Pacers should be motivated to get the No. 3 seed, but maybe not. Of course, there’s the easy part of it to not be on the Boston side of the bracket, but losing could also really help their draft pick. If they lose the last two and the Western Conference teams win, the Pacers could move up in the draft as much as six spots. If I’m Indy, I’m resting my guys.
Highly motivated to win
Milwaukee at Detroit – These two teams play each other on Sunday and today, and the Pistons winning both games would give them the No. 5 seed.
Memphis at Denver – Massive game here with these teams trying to avoid the play-in games, and Memphis played at home last night.
L.A. Clippers at Sacramento – The Clippers are trying to move up while the Kings are looking to get home court in the 9-10 game.
New York – They need one more win to get the No. 3 spot, but they do have the Nets on Sunday.
Chicago – They could move up to the No. 8 spot and are fighting to stay in the No. 9 spot.
Miami – They need a little help as the No. 10 seed right now and should play guys big minutes (blowout risk).
Atlanta – They need one more win to lock in the No. 8 seed.
L.A. Lakers – They are trying to hold the No. 3 spot, and should go pretty heavy even in a B2B.
Minnesota – A gift to play the Nets at home, but they will be playing their guys here in the thick of the postseason race.
Dallas – They are trying to get homecourt in the 9-10 game.
Golden State – A terrible loss puts the Warriors in desperation mode and they will be playing their guys heavy minutes, but the Blazers look to be tanking it off.
Little to no motivation to win or lose
Cleveland – They are locked in as the No. 1 seed, but they could run a dress rehearsal (they certainly won’t on Sunday).
Boston – They are going to be the No. 2 seed, so they could cut the minutes of some guys.
Toronto – They are basically locked into the No. 7 spot in the lottery, so maybe they up their main guys a little more here. They are also crazy short-handed today.
Oklahoma City – They’re all locked up for homecourt throughout the postseason.
Houston – They are locked into No. 2 for the Western Conference standings. They could run a dress rehearsal here, though.
Toronto – They are locked into the No. 7 lotto spot.
Phoenix – Their season is over and the Rockets have their unprotected pick.
Orlando – They are locked into the No. 7 seed and some rest is coming here.
Motivated to lose
Philadelphia – The 76ers finally won a game, and need just one more loss to lock in the No. 5 lotto spot.
Washington – The Jazz getting a win opened up the door for the Wizards to get the top lotto spot, so the tank is on here.
Charlotte – Another Hornets loss will get them locked into the No. 3 spot in the lottery.
Portland – The Blazers could help themselves with a loss to get them to No. 9 (tied with the Suns).
Utah – The Jazz are tied with the Wizards for the top lotto position, and the tank should be on here against an OKC team that is sitting most of their rotation.
San Antonio – A win against the Dubs opened the door a bit for them to slide, so they are tanking this one off here.
New Orleans – They need to lose one more to lock in their lotto spot at No. 3.
Brooklyn – They are likely going to be the No. 6 spot, but it doesn’t hurt to tank this up.
Milwaukee Bucks (back end) at Detroit Pistons (back end)
Team Totals: Bucks 112, Pistons 118
Injury Report: Both teams on a B2B
Bucks projected starters: Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Pistons projected starters: Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Doc quotes: Said the zone defense changed the game for them and they thought the zone would work well against the Wolves, said KPJ and Trent have great hands to be at the top of the zone, said the crowd was fired up for Portis’ return, said they always want A.J. Green to “fire ‘em up there”, said Giannis trusted KPJ and Portis to run PNR as their primary play.
Bickerstaff quotes: Said Cade’s minutes should come up a little more after 33 on Monday, said their defense was not locked in.
Great matchups: Cade Cunningham
Good matchups: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma (homecoming game)
Bad matchups: Jalen Duren
Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers (back end)
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