TAYLOR JENKINS
More NBA games called off as contact tracing probes continue
It has been a major factor in the decisions to postpone 20 games so far this season, including the latest three Memphis Grizzlies’ games that the league decided Thursday to push back. The biggest culprits that have led to players being flagged and ruled out during the contact tracing process: meals and shared rides, improper mask usage. “Contact tracing involves a lot of different sources and information,” Weiss said. That decision came one day after the Grizzlies’ game at Portland, scheduled for Wednesday, was also called off. Washington — which will go at least 13 days between games after a half-dozen of its players tested positive — has seen six games called off, and Memphis has now had five of its games pushed back.
NBA playoff picture comes into a bit more focus
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. The NBA playoff picture is getting a little clearer. Brooklyn secured one of the last two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference on Friday, defeating Sacramento 119-106. For the Nets, the clinching comes as something to savor in a topsy-turvy season. Should that series take place, the ninth-place team would have to go 2-0 in a best-of-two series to advance. Were going to try to win every game.Phoenix, Sacramento and New Orleans remain in the mix for a play-in series spot.