The NBA regular season saw all 30 teams appear in court today, with Western Conference postseason photos far from being resolved.
The top three seeds are trapped, but the seven Western Conference teams are still fighting for positions. For the seed 4-10, Sunday’s game decides who will secure a guaranteed playoff spot and who will be forced into the play-in tournament.
Western Conference Overview
Lock-in:
- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder (67-14)
- 2. Houston Rockets (52-29)
- 3. Los Angeles Lakers (50-31)
These three teams have taken playoff positions and are waiting for the final matchup.
Still determined: Seeds 4-10
Four teams from Denver, La Clippers, Golden State and Minnesota are competing for the final three guaranteed playoff spots (seeds 4-6). The rest of the teams will be relegated to the play-in tournament.
Teams and what is at risk:
- Denver Nuggets (49-32)
- Can finish up to the same height as the fourth or seventh
- Clinch playoff spots with victory or loss by either Minnesota or Golden State
- Face: Houston Rocket
- Raclippers (49-32)
- You can finish in 4th, 5th, or 7th place
- Clinch in victory or defeat by Denver or Minnesota
- Face: Golden State Warriors
- Golden State Warriors (48-33)
- Can finish in 6th or 7th place
- If you win or Minnesota loses
- Face: Raclippers
- Minnesota Timberwolves (48-33)
- You can finish anywhere from 4th to 8th
- The victorious clinch
- Face: Utah Jazz
- Memphis Grizzlies (47-34)
- You can move to 7th place with victory and Minnesota loss
- Otherwise, it stays on the 8th seed
- Face: Dallas Mavericks
- Sacramento Kings (39-42)
- You can lock the 9th seed with victory or Dallas loss
- Holding tiebreaker on top of Dallas
- Face: Phoenix Suns
- Dallas Mavericks (39-42)
- Only in victory and Sacramento loss can move to 9th
- Otherwise it will be 10th
- Face: Memphis Grizzlies
These matchups determine the final order for the Western Conference and set up a full playoff and play-in bracket.
Eastern Conference
The east has already settled from a sowing perspective. The top six teams are trapped in playoff spots.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Boston Celtics
- New York Knicks
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Detroit Piston
Play-in matchups are also available.
- Orlando Magic (7) vs. Atlanta Hawks (8)
- Chicago Bulls (9) vs. Miami Heat (10)
Looking ahead
By the end of Sunday, all postseason seeds will be finalized. With multiple Western Conference teams separated from major changes in rankings, they promise to be one of the most consequential and competitive days of the season.
The NBA playoffs officially begin next week, with the play-in game starting the action.
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