NBA Scoreboard Watch: Thursday 3/19

The Clippers have the night off, and, due to the start of NCAA March Madness, the NBA schedule is light with only 4 games. Two of the games have playoff implications, while the other two games have zero playoff implications. None of the games are broadcast nationally, so the only way to watch them is with NBA League Pass, or if you live in one of the local markets.

The Games That Matter

Denver Nuggets (26-42) @ Houston Rockets (45-22)

5:00 PM

How to watch:

Altitude

Root Sports Southwest

NBA League Pass

Why to watch this game:

Although the Denver Nuggets are out of the playoff picture, the Houston Rockets are in the thick of things, currently the 3rd seed in the west, just one game in the loss column behind Memphis for the 2nd seed. Memphis currently owns the tiebreaker with a better division record, which effectively puts the Rockets 2 games back in the loss column.

How does this game effect the Clippers:

The Clippers currently sit as the 5th seed, and would love to be able to gain home court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. They currently sit 3 games back in the loss column behind both the number 4 seed Portland Trail Blazers and the 3 seed Rockets. If Denver can somehow pull off the upset, it will shorten the gap between the Clippers and Rockets, and give the Clippers a realistic chance at obtaining home court in the first round.

New Orleans Pelicans (37-30) @ Phoenix Suns (35-33)

7:00 PM

How to watch the game:

Fox Sports New Orleans

Fox Sports Arizona

NBA League Pass

Why to watch this game:

Both New Orleans (9th) and Phoenix (10th) are sitting just outside of the playoff picture, and whichever one can win, will help their chances of squeaking into the playoffs.  The Pelicans currently sit a ½ game out of the final spot, but are tied in the loss column with the Oklahoma City Thunder. But, with the Pelicans owning the tiebreaker against the Thunder (3-1 head to head record), the Pelicans only need to stay even with the Thunder to gain the 8th seed. The Suns, 3 games behind the Thunder in the loss column, have more work to do, and to have even the slightest chance of making the playoffs, can’t afford to lose any games.

How does this game effect the Clippers:

The big effect this game has on the Clippers is who might face the Golden State Warriors in the opening round of the playoffs. There is a very good chance the Clippers will finish as the 4th or 5th seed, and if they do, they will have to face the winner of the 1 vs 8 match-up. The Warriors are practically a lock as the number 1 seed in the west, but the 8th seed is very much up for grabs. More than likely, it will either be the Thunder or the Pelicans in that 8th seed. Ultimately, whoever gets the 8th seed will have a very slim chance of getting past the Warriors, but the Thunder, if healthy, would put up a better fight, which should extend the series, and provide the Clippers, if they get out of the first round, with an opponent who did not get to cruise through their first series.

The Rest of the Games

Minnesota Timberwolves (14-53) @ New York Knicks (14-53)

4:30 PM

How to watch the game:

Fox Sports North

MSG

NBA League Pass

Why to watch this game:

You really love basketball!!!! Oh, and the loser will have the worst record in the NBA.

How does this game effect the Clippers:

This game does not have any effect on the Clippers.

Utah Jazz (30-37) @ Los Angeles Lakers (17-49)

7:30 PM

How to watch the game:

Root Sports Utah

Time Warner SportsNet

Why to watch this game:

The Utah Jazz are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, and young center Rudy Gobert is beginning to shine.

How does this game effect the Clippers:

This game does not have any effect on the Clippers.