Welcome to the final seeding game Sunday of the 2019-20 season!
The Memphis Grizzlies didn't clinch a spot in the play-in for the Western Conference's No. 8 seed, but their loss to the Toronto Raptors means we will officially get one. (While the two teams have yet to be determined, the first play-in game will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC. If the ninth seed wins, the second game will air Sunday, Aug. 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC).
Elsewhere in the West race, the San Antonio Spurs overcame a late rally by the New Orleans Pelicans to put Zion Williamson & Co. on the brink of elimination. If the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday night, New Orleans is out.
Here is a look at all of Sunday's clinching and elimination scenarios as we march toward the postseason, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information:
The Toronto Raptors have clinched the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed. The Boston Celtics are now locked into the No. 3 seed.
The Houston Rockets clinch the Southwest Division title with a win.
The New Orleans Pelicans are eliminated with a Trail Blazers win.
The Sacramento Kings are eliminated with a loss or a Portland Trail Blazers win.
Here's the latest on the standings, the games to watch Sunday and Monday, plus everything you need to know. Check back here for highlights and updates throughout the day.
PAST BUBBLE INTEL: July 30 | July 31 | Aug. 1 | Aug. 2 | Aug. 3 | Aug. 4 | Aug. 5 | Aug. 6 | Aug. 7 | Aug. 8 | Full standings | Playoff matchups
Latest buzz
Siakam takes charge vs. the Grizzlies
Pascal Siakam leads the Raptors to a 108-99 win over Memphis with 26 points.
Thunder use balanced scoring attack, take down Wizards
The Thunder get scoring from up and down their roster including Darius Bazley's career-high 23 points in their 121-103 win over the Wizards.
Everything is going right for Phoenix
The West is officially getting a play-in game for the No. 8 seed. The Phoenix Suns want in -- they're 5-0 so far during their pursuit -- and they got some help from the defending champs on Sunday.
They listened https://t.co/78xXvJNOtA
— 5-0 (@Suns) August 9, 2020
The Suns have quickly become the biggest Philadelphia 76ers fans in the world, as Philly takes on the Portland Trail Blazers this evening. Phoenix is a half game behind Portland for the No. 9 seed.
Hey @sixers, what he said.
Also thank you for him ? https://t.co/qTeE6ixrnB
— 5-0 (@Suns) August 9, 2020
The Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies took us back to the '90s -- and north of the border -- with these throwback jerseys Sunday afternoon. (In case you were wondering, Toronto won the all-time series 7-4 over the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1995 to 2001.)
Keep the classic jersey matchups coming ? pic.twitter.com/KN2OQeFT2q
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020
Steven Adams is a big fan
Adams didn't play against the Wizards -- OKC won easily 121-103 -- but a giant cutout of the Thunder big man did make its way into the virtual crowd.
There's a cutout of Steven Adams in the virtual crowd for today's Thunder game ? pic.twitter.com/ecFQRCWfn1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020
Sunday night's must-see game
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Portland Trail Blazers | 6:30 p.m. ET
Without Ben Simmons, Philadelphia seemingly sleepwalked through three quarters Friday before pulling away for the victory in the fourth against an Orlando squad that was missing Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Jonathan Isaac (ACL). Philadelphia has been up and down in the bubble despite posting a 3-1 record, with a win over Washington and a victory over San Antonio despite a furious Spurs comeback.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are continuing their push to make the playoffs and turn up the pressure on the Grizzlies for the eighth seed. Portland will be playing the second game of a back-to-back. At the very least, Portland is putting itself in the right spot for the play-in tournament in the West. -- Lopez
Additional games
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics | 5 p.m. ET
Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings | 8 p.m. ET
Brooklyn Nets vs. LA Clippers | 9 p.m. ET
Play-in watch
We have a play-in in the West! And the battle continues Sunday evening in the bubble with both the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds still up for grabs. Simply put, things are getting interesting.
Memphis fell to Toronto in their bid to clinch a spot in the play-in. The San Antonio Spurs topped the New Orleans Pelicans, who now sit one Portland Trail Blazers win away from being knocked out of postseason contention.
The Blazers are back in action after a critical loss Saturday to a Clippers team that rested Kawhi Leonard and sat Paul George down the stretch. Portland has to bounce back; if they lose, San Antonio will move into the ninth spot.
The Sacramento Kings might be eliminated even if they find a way to beat the Houston Rockets.
Western Conference
8. Memphis Grizzlies | 33-38 (.465) | --
9. Portland Trail Blazers | 32-39 (.451) | 1.0 GB
10. San Antonio Spurs | 31-38 (.449) | 1.0 GB
11. Phoenix Suns | 31-39 (.443) | 1.5 GB
12. New Orleans Pelicans | 30-40 (.429) | 2.5 GB
13. Sacramento Kings | 29-40 (.420) | 3.0 GB
Full standings | Playoff matchups
Monday's must-see games
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks | 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
The top two seeds in the East, a rematch of the 2019 Eastern Conference finals, and two excellent, well-coached teams. Of course, both the Raptors and Bucks are effectively locked into their positions and are as much prioritizing health and recovery as they are wins in their final seeding games. But assuming they go after it, this is a tasty matchup and one to definitely gather some takeaways from. -- Royce Young
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat | 8 p.m. ET
Bubble beef! T.J. Warren and Jimmy Butler scuffled back in January, which led to Butler saying Warren is "trash," Warren getting ejected and Butler then blowing him a goodbye kiss. Now, the Pacers are one of the hottest teams and Warren is the bubble's leading scorer.
And to make it even better, the Heat and Pacers have identical records. And while seeding in a 4/5 matchup doesn't matter, you never know -- having those virtual fans on your side in a Game 7 could be the difference. -- Young
Additional games
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns | 2:30 p.m. ET
Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz | 3 p.m. ET
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 9 p.m. ET on ESPN
Analysis and Intel
The Giannis-Luka rivalry can define the NBA's future
Could Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic take over the league? A look at the rivalry that could define a generation.
New NBA playoff predictions: Can the Suns grab the 8-seed?
Phoenix is 5-0 in the bubble. How is the six-team race shaping up now? Here are the latest projections.
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