The 2017 NBA Playoffs continue to inch closer and closer, with each remaining game for playoff-seeking teams a must-win. The Raptors, Heat, Clippers and Mavericks all relate to that situation, but tonight, only two of those clubs will sleep with a W. Read on below for a quick look a today’s best games.
Both teams are looking to stay on the right path. The Raps have won three in a row after gutting out a 122-120 home win over the Bulls on Tuesday night, during which DeMar DeRozan rallied Toronto with a 42-point explosion. The Heat, on the same night, solidified their hold of the final playoff spot in the East with an easy 112-97 victory against the visiting Suns. Miami was led by Hassan Whiteside who finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, but was forced to exit in the fourth period due to a laceration on his right hand. He needed 13 stitches to close the cut, making him questionable for this matchup with Toronto.
Speaking of which, the Raps are going to be shorthanded, too, with Serge Ibaka serving a one-game suspension thanks to his altercation with Chicago’s Robin Lopez.
The Clips are on a three-game run, and have picked up both the scoring and their defense. During that stretch, they’ve put up no fewer than 108 points and are holding opponents to an average of 97.3 points. They should be able to dominate again in this matchup with Dallas, which ranks last in the league in points per game. But do note that the Mavs, who have lost four of their last six outings, beat a Chris Paul and Blake Griffin-less Clippers side last December at the Staples Center to even up the regular-season series. This will be the third meeting between these Western Conference rivals.
