The New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs have the chance huge ground in the race for ninth on Sunday.
Conference standings
8. Grizzlies (33-37) – Not in action on Saturday.
9. Trail Blazers 1.5 GB – The Blazers monumental collapse on Saturday means they likely can’t catch the Grizzlies and will have to now fend off teams for ninth.
10. Suns 2.0 GB – Another day, another Suns win. As the only team not self-capitulating in the race for the ninth seed, they have played their way into actual contention for the ninth seed.
11. Spurs 2.0 GB – Not in action on Saturday.
12. Pelicans 2.5 GB – Not in action on Saturday.
13. Kings 3.5 GB –Not in action Friday.
Games to watch and rooting interests
Memphis vs. Toronto – Mathematically, the Grizzlies could still fall out of the eighth seed. It would take them losing out and some other team winning out, the latter of which seems unlikely.
Portland vs. Philadelphia – The Blazers have to quickly rebound from a gut-punch loss to take on a Philly side that will be without Ben Simmons. Root for a likely huge game from Joel Embiid and a Sixers win.
Sacramento vs. Houston – If things break the right way, the Kings could be out of the race for the ninth seed with a loss on Sunday. One less competitor for New Orleans is a good thing as the Kings are still on their schedule.