The NBA regular season is down to its last week, and the playoff picture is starting to really crystallize. In fact, quite a few teams have already clinched a postseason berth as of this writing.
(Note: Standings are up to April 7 only.)
Tier 1: Hello, Playoffs!
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers (62-16)
Boston Celtics (58-20)
New York Knicks (50-28)
Indiana Pacers (47-31)
Milwaukee Bucks (44-34)
Detroit Pistons (43-35)
All of these six teams are through to the playoffs, with the Cavs and Celtics clinching the top two seeds. Barring a big collapse, the Knicks will be the third seed and the Pacers wil be the fourth seed. The Pistons, meanwhile have completed their transformation from bottom-feeder last year to a sure playoff team this season. As for the Bucks, a big four-game winning streak kept them from a potential play-in drop.
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (64-14)
Houston Rockets (52-27)
Los Angeles Lakers (48-30)
The Thunder have booked a postseason slot weeks ago and have been assured of the no. 1 seed for quite some time now. Houston became the second Western Conference team to clinch a playoff slot with a 15-2 stretch, while the Lakers have managed to win enough games that they have one foot in the postseason.
Tier 2: Searching for the Backdoor
Eastern Conference
Orlando Magic (38-40)
Atlanta Hawks (37-41)
Chicago Bulls (36-42)
Miami Heat (35-43)
Thanks to the play-in, two of the Magic, Hawks, Bulls, and Heat will backdoor their way into the playoffs. Of these four teams, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami seem to be playing some of their best hoops this season.
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets (47-32)
Golden State Warriors (46-32)
Los Angeles Clippers (46-32)
Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32)
Memphis Grizzlies (46-32)
Sacramento Kings (38-40)
Dallas Mavericks (38-41)
Phoenix Suns (35-43)
While the play-in bracket is set in the East, the West is resembling one giant pile-up of teams. Barring an epic Lakers collapse, there will be three more outright playoff seeds up for grabs. But, as of this writing, five teams are within a game of one another, with four teams sporting identical records. A loss, therefore, could be disastrous for any of Denver, Golden State, Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Memphis. The Suns, meanwhile, are a loss away from outright elimination.
Tier 3: Hello, Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey!
Portland Trail Blazers (35-44)
San Antonio Spurs (32-46)
Toronto Raptors (29-50)
Brooklyn Nets (25-53)
Philadelphia 76ers (23-55)
New Orleans Pelicans (21-57)
Charlotte Hornets (19-59)
Washington Wizards (17-61)
Utah Jazz (16-63)
Thanks for playing, folks! May the lottery balls go your way.
