Suns stay undefeated in NBA bubble
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.
Devin Booker scored 35 points and the Phoenix Suns protected their playoff hopes by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 130-117 on Tuesday to remain undefeated in the NBA restart.
Mikal Bridges added 24 points and Ricky Rubio had 16 points with 10 assists as the Suns pulled into a tie with Memphis, which began the day alone in eighth-place in the Western Conference.
“We know we’re not totally in control of our fate but we put ourselves in a good position,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “No one would have guessed the Phoenix Suns would be in this position before all of this started.”
Phoenix is 7-0 as the only undefeated team in the restart and an unlikely factor in the tight race for a spot in this weekend’s play-in for the final playoff spot. Still, the Suns know even an 8-0 finish in the bubble may not be enough to earn a playoff spot.
Spurs 123, Rockets 105: Keldon Johnson had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and an Antonio kept alive its chances of becoming the first team in NBA history to make 23 consecutive playoff appearances with a victory over Houston. DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points for San Antonio, which has won five of seven since arriving in the Florida bubble.
Nets 108, Magic 96: Jeremiah Martin and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot each scored 24 points, and Brooklyn beat Orlando as both teams looked ahead to the playoffs. Dzanan Musa added 17 points and Tyler Johnson had 14 for the Nets, who improved to 5-2 in the restart with their third straight victory. They have one game remaining before a first-round series against defending champion Toronto.
Trail Blazers 134, Macerics 131: Damian Lillard scored 61 points and made nine threepointers, willing Portland to a victory over Dallas that moved the Trail Blazers into eighth place in the Western Conference. The Blazers will clinch a spot in the play-in series with a win Thursday against Brooklyn.
Celtics 122, Grizzlies 107: Jayson Tatum scored 29 points and Boston ran past Memphis, putting the Grizzlies in further danger of missing the playoffs. The Grizzlies missed another chance to guarantee themselves a spot in the Western play-in series.