NBA Scores & More: Jazz Triumph Over Suns, Hawks Deny Clippers

Tuesday’s action brought us closure on one front: we now know which 16 teams will participate in the NBA playoffs. The last thing left to settle over the next two nights: who will be seeding where, playing against whom?

After all of that, while we know our 16 teams, we only have two confirmed first-round series -- Celtics-Hawks and Clippers-Grizzlies -- and home court advantage for those remains up in the air. So we still have some jockeying left to do. For a rundown on Wednesday’s stakes, check out Enormous Consequences on SBNation.com/NBA at noon ET.

That lack of progress and general failure to accomplish a playoff push is exactly why Steve Nash is keeping his options open heading into the offseason. Phoenix technically controlled its own destiny going into Tuesday night’s game, but it didn’t really look that way. Will Cantrell of SB Nation’s Bright Side of the Sun captured the mood well in his recap:

As for the Jazz, things are looking up for now. They likely have no less than four matchups with the Spurs to look forward to now that San Antonio has clinched the top spot in the Western Conference. Utah’s size is a serious asset heading into the post-season, too. On Tuesday, Al Jefferson (18 points, 16 rebounds), Paul Millsap (26 points, 15 rebounds) and Derrick Favors (13 points, 11 rebounds) all posted efficient and effective double-doubles that underpinned a 56-42 advantage on the glass and a 50-40 edge on points in the paint. Favors also matched his career-high with five blocks and Gordon Hayward tied his career-best with eight assists in the win.

The loss negated a breakout game from Griffin, who made eight of his first nine field goals in the first quarter and scored in every way conceivable. He made his first four jump shots, made a tough reverse layup, hit jump hooks in the post and left Smith high and dry on a perfect up and under move for a dunk. Griffin is often criticized for not having a well-rounded offensive game, and while he still has work to do, it was evident from this game that he is improving steadily.

For more on the Hawks, stroll over to Peachtree Hoops. To read up on the Clippers, visit scenic Clips Nation.

Cousins had a great night, and it started before the game as the team successfully appealed the league to rescind Cousins’ recent 13th technical foul, allowing the big fella to play. From the opening bell, Cousins was a tough cover for OKC, scoring no less than seven points in every quarter and helped his Kings get out to a 40-point first quarter.

The 40 points were the most points scored against the Thunder in the first quarter all season and it gave the Kings an early five-point lead. That lead was extended in the second quarter by Cousins and Thompson, growing the lead to as many as 13 points before the Thunder snapped off a 12-0 run and eventually cutting the lead to two at the half.

What else. Uh ... JaJuan Johnson blocked a Juwan Howard jumper at one point. That was fun. Because of their first names, you see. There wasn’t much else. Oh, and the guy in the two truck being chased by the cops in L.A. eventually just pulled over and surrendered, so even that wasn’t too exciting.

Check out Celtics Blog for more on Boston and head over to Peninsula Is Mightier for more Heat coverage.