Ballin': Robin Lopez is the Latest Scrub to Deliver a Cheap Shot to Blake Griffin

Phoenix 93, LA Clippers 90: Robin Lopez nearly took Blake Griffin’s head off, Sebastian Telfair blocked Chris Paul’s shot in the final seconds and … what, wait? The Suns – yes, the same Suns who opened the season 5-14 – are on the cusp of making the playoffs. They’re tied with Utah for the 8th seed. It would be an impressive accomplishment if they did reach the postseason … even though they’ll be vanquished quickly by OKC (broom) or San Antonio (five games). And while I usually agree with Chris Webber, bad job by C-Webb on the Lopez foul.

Blake Griffin (16 points, 11 rebounds) did do this, though. The loss probably means the Clippers won’t win the Pacific and avoid Memphis in the first round. Pick your poison in the West – Grizzlies or the defending Champs?

New Orleans 105, Houston 99, OT: This Rockets’ collapse – that’s six losses in a row – is the kind a coach doesn’t survive. I know it has largely happened without their starting backcourt (Martin didn’t play again; Lowry is back, but shot 0-for-5 in 17 minutes), but it’s probably going to be an ugly offseason in Houston. The Rockets are only one game out for the 8th spot, and they close with Golden State (win?), Miami (loss?) and New Orleans (loss?).

Miami 83, Chicago 72: It got heated. I’d say that I can’t wait for the Eastern Conference finals showdown … but I’m not sure Chicago gets there without Derrick Rose 100 percent healthy.