The Oklahoma City Thunder’s victory this Thursday over the Utah Jazz field left Slovenian Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks on the verge of collapse. The Texans need to win their last two games and hope the Thunder lose to the Memphis Grizzlies to avoid missing the NBA playoffs.
In a bustling regular season finale and with a Sunday with all 30 franchises on the line, Thursday in the NBA was also lit by the Miami Heat’s resounding victory at the field of the Philadelphia 76ers and by the 25 points of Chris Paul, with seven triples, in the Phoenix Suns’ win against the Denver Nuggets.
JAZZ 98 – THUNDER 114
The Thunder took a major step in their fight for the play-in by winning their visit to the Jazz, allowing them to decide their own destiny at home this Sunday against Grizzlies who are already secure in second place in the West.
Coming a long way from the favorites to play the postseason in the West, the Thunder have been able to capitalize on the Mavericks’ slump and have not failed against the Jazz, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading a double-digit group of seven players.
A win against the Grizzlies will move the Oklahoma City team into the play-in, although an eventual loss for the Mavericks this Friday against the Bulls would earn them the ticket.
With this loss, the Jazz were officially out of the postseason.
SUNS 119 – NUGGETS 115
At 37 years old, Chris Paul never ceases to light up the dance floor with his talent. Against several Nuggets without Serbian Nikola Jokic and already certain of the lead in the West, ‘CP3’ recorded 25 triples with seven of eleven in triples, the best regular season result of his career.
Kevin Durant contributed 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists. With him on the field, the Suns won all eight of their games.
For the Nuggets, who also lacked Jamal Murray, Bruce Brown shone with 31 points, without a prize.
76ERS 101 – HEATING 129
Returning to Philadelphia in the Heat jersey, Jimmy Butler played with 24 points in his team’s win against a number of 76ers already focused on the playoffs to stay in contention with the Brooklyn Nets for the sixth position.
The Heat is one win behind the Nets, who also have the head-to-head advantage, with two games remaining in the regular season.
Miami ends the year with a visit to the Washington Wizards and a home game against the Orlando Magic. The Nets take on Orlando and the Philadelphia 76ers and it’s better for them to finish with the same balance as the Heat to get sixth.
Butler finished with 24 points and a 9-of-12 accuracy from the field, backed by Tyler Herro’s 24 and Bam Adebayo’s fourteen points and eight rebounds.
MAGIC 94 – CAVALIERS 118
Already secure in fourth place, the Cavaliers won with authority on a magic that was already out of everything, with a quintet without its stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen.
Spain’s Ricky Rubio started and contributed five points, two rebounds and five assists, in a night that saw the Cavs’ leading Danny Green with 21 points coming off the bench.
TRACKS 129 – TRAILBLAZERS 127
In the first of two games for the Spurs at the Moody Center in Austin, Gregg Popovich’s team triumphed against a Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons-less Blazers led by the trio of Keita Bates-Diop (25 points), Keldon Johnson (24 ) and Julian Champagne (24).
The Spurs will continue in Austin on Thursday to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves before concluding their season with the Dallas Mavericks.
– Classifications:
. Eastern Conference:
.1. Milwaukee Bucks 58-22
.2. Boston Celtics 55-25
.3. Philadelphia 76ers 52-28
.4. Cleveland Cavaliers 51-30
.5. New York Knicks 47-33
.6. Brooklyn Nets 44-36
.7. Miami Heat 43-37
.8. Atlanta Hawks 41-39
.9. Toronto Raptors 40-40
10. Chicago Bulls 38-42
11. Orlando Magic 34-46
12. Indiana Pacers 34-46
13.Washington Wizards 34-46
14. Charlotte Hornets 26-54
15. Detroit Pistons 16-64
. Western Conference:
.1. Denver Nuggets 52-28
.2. Memphis Grizzlies 50-30
.3. Sacramento Kings 48-32
.4. Phoenix Suns 45-35
.5. LA Clippers 42-38
.6. Golden State Warriors 42-38
.7. L.A. Lakers 41-39
.8. New Orleans Pelicans 41-39
.9. Minnesota Timberwolves 40-40
10. Oklahoma City Thunder 39-42
11.Dallas Mavericks 38-42
12.Utah Jazz 36-44
13. Portland Trail Blazers 33-47
14. San Antonio Spurs 21-59
15. Houston Missiles 20-60.
Source: El heraldo

I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.