The NBA postseason landscape will gain greater clarity daily until the conclusion of the regular season on April 12. In the interim, we will offer comprehensive daily insights into the standings, including critical numbers, remaining game schedules, and the implications for each day’s matchups. For teams outside of the playoff contention, we will also outline the competition for prime positioning in the forthcoming NBA Draft lottery.
Navigate to: Eastern Division • Western Division
PRESENT PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
Eastern Division
(7) Philadelphia 76ers versus (8) Orlando Magic
(9) Charlotte Hornets versus (10) Miami Heat
Western Division
(7) Phoenix Suns versus (8) LA Clippers
(9) Portland Trail Blazers versus (10) Golden State Warriors
CURRENT POSTSEASON STRUCTURE
East Division
(1) Detroit Pistons versus (8) play-in victor
(2) Boston Celtics versus (7) play-in victor
(3) New York Knicks versus (6) Toronto Raptors
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers versus (5) Atlanta Hawks
West Division
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder versus (8) play-in victor
(2) San Antonio Spurs versus (7) play-in victor
(3) Los Angeles Lakers versus (6) Houston Rockets
(4) Denver Nuggets versus (5) Minnesota Timberwolves
EASTERN DIVISION PLAYOFF PICTURE
Within the Eastern Division, the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers, in some configuration, appear destined for the top four playoff seeds, ensuring home-court advantage in the initial playoff round. The Pistons, maintaining a four-game advantage over the Celtics, are highly likely to secure the East’s top seed, provided there isn’t a significant collapse in the absence of the injured Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung).
The exact opponents for these four teams in the opening round remain wide open, as merely two victories separate the fifth seed from the tenth. The Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Miami Heat are all vying for position as the season progresses beyond 70 games.
While the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls technically remain in postseason contention, they are realistically engaged in a different competition—one for favorable lottery odds.
SECURED POSTSEASON SPOT, SEEDING YET UNDECIDED
Record: 53-20 | Net rating: 8.0 (2nd)
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Upcoming fixtures: @MIN, @OKC, TOR, MIN, @PHI, @ORL, MIL, @CHA, @IND
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Upper limit for placement: No. 1 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 4 seed
Implications: The top seed and the privilege of home court across the entire Eastern Conference postseason.
CONTENDING FOR ASSURED PLAYOFF ENTRY
Record: (48-24) | Net rating: 7.8 (4th)
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Critical number for No. 2 seed: 9
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Upcoming fixtures: ATL, @CHA, @ATL, @MIA, @MIL, TOR, CHA, @NYK, NOP, ORL
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Upper limit for placement: No. 1 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 9 seed
Implications: The second seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals. A postseason spot could be secured on Friday evening with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks and if the Toronto Raptors suffer a defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Record: 48-26 | Net rating: 6.6 (5th)
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Critical number for No. 3 seed: 7
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Upcoming fixtures: @OKC, @HOU, @MEM, CHI, @ATL, BOS, TOR, CHA
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Upper limit for placement: No. 1 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 7 seed
Implications: The second seed and home-court advantage during the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Record: 45-28 | Net rating: 4.0 (8th)
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Critical number for No. 4 seed: 6
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Upcoming fixtures: MIA, @UTA, @LAL, @GSW, IND, @MEM, ATL, @ATL, WAS
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Upper limit for placement: No. 1 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The fourth seed and initial round home-court benefit.
Record: 41-32 | Net rating: 1.7 (12th)
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Critical number for No. 6 seed: 8
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Upcoming fixtures: @BOS, SAC, BOS, @ORL, @BKN, NYK, @CLE, CLE, @MIA
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Upper limit for placement: No. 2 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The fifth or sixth seed, which ensures a direct entry into the playoffs.
Record: 40-32 | Net rating: 1.6 (13th)
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Critical number for No. 6 seed: 10
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Upcoming fixtures: NOP, ORL, @DET, SAC, @MEM, @BOS, MIA, MIA, @NYK, BKN
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Upper limit for placement: No. 2 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The fifth or sixth seed, guaranteeing a playoff spot.
Record: 40-33 | Net rating: -0.3 (19th)
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Critical number for No. 7 seed: 9
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Upcoming fixtures: @CHA, @MIA, @WAS, MIN, DET, @SAS, @HOU, @IND, MIL
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The fifth or sixth seed, securing a confirmed playoff entry.
Record: 39-34 | Net rating: 0.8 (17th)
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Critical number for No. 9 seed: 9
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Critical number for No. 10 seed: 1
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Upcoming fixtures: @TOR, PHX, ATL, @DAL, @NOP, DET, MIN, @CHI, @BOS
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: Out of the postseason
Implications: The fifth or sixth seed, granting a guaranteed playoff position.
Record: 39-34 | Net rating: 4.8 (6th)
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Critical number for No. 9 seed: 9
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Critical number for No. 10 seed: 1
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Upcoming fixtures: PHI, BOS, @BKN, PHX, IND, @MIN, @BOS, DET, @NYK
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: Out of the postseason
Implications: The fifth or sixth seed, providing a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
Record: 39-34 | Net rating: 2.6 (11th)
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Critical number for No. 9 seed: 9
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Critical number for No. 10 seed: 1
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Upcoming fixtures: @CLE, @IND, PHI, BOS, WAS, @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: Out of the postseason
Implications: The fifth or sixth seed, leading to an assured playoff appearance.
TECHNICALLY IN CONTENTION
Record: 29-43 | Net rating: -5.9 (25th)
Record: 29-43 | Net rating: -4.5 (23rd)
Implications: The team concluding with the inferior record will possess a 20.3% probability for a top-four draft pick and a 4.5% chance at the first overall selection. Conversely, the team finishing with the superior record will receive a 13.9% opportunity for a top-four pick and a 3% chance at the No. 1 pick.
Should the Bucks ultimately secure the top pick in the draft lottery—or any selection higher than the New Orleans Pelicans’—that pick will transfer to the Hawks.
SIGNIFICANT MATCHES ON THURSDAY
FRIDAY’S IMPORTANT CONTESTS
The Celtics can secure a playoff berth with a victory over the Hawks and a Raptors defeat to the Pelicans.
The Bulls face postseason elimination upon suffering a defeat.
WESTERN DIVISION PLAYOFF PICTURE
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are poised for the top two seeds, with OKC maintaining a two-game cushion for the league’s top overall seed.
The Los Angeles Lakers, propelled by their recent nine-game winning streak, have emerged as strong contenders to secure the conference’s third seed. Beyond them, the outcome is highly unpredictable.
The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets are virtually guaranteed the West’s final three direct playoff berths, with only a single loss separating them. Only one of these three teams will secure home-court advantage for the first round.
The four participants for the conference’s play-in tournament bracket are nearly finalized following the Memphis Grizzlies’ elimination on Wednesday. The Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors appear set for the 7th through 10th seeds.
POSTSEASON SECURED, SEEDING UNDETERMINED
Record: 57-16 | Net rating: 10.8 (1st)
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Upcoming fixtures: CHI, NYK, DET, LAL, UTA, @LAL, @LAC, @DEN, PHX
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Upper limit for placement: No. 1 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 2 seed
Implications: The top overall seed and the benefit of home-court through all playoff rounds.
Record: 55-18 | Net rating: 8.0 (3rd)
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Critical number for No. 2 seed: 1
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Upcoming fixtures: @MIL, CHI, @GSW, @LAC, @DEN, PHI, POR, DAL, DEN
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Upper limit for placement: No. 1 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 3 seed
Implications: The second seed and home-court advantage for the Western Conference semifinals.
VYING FOR ASSURED POSTSEASON BERTH
Record: 47-26 | Net rating: 1.3 (15th)
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Critical number for No. 3 seed: 7
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Upcoming fixtures: BKN, WAS, CLE, @OKC, @DAL, OKC, @GSW, PHX, UTA
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Upper limit for placement: No. 2 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 7 seed
Implications: The third seed and the benefit of home court in the initial playoff round.
Record: 46-28 | Net rating: 4.4 (7th)
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Critical number for No. 4 seed: 8
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Upcoming fixtures: UTA, GSW, @UTA, SAS, POR, MEM, OKC, @SAS
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 7 seed
Implications: The fourth seed and the privilege of home court for the first round.
Record: 45-28 | Net rating: 3.6 (10th)
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Critical number for No. 5 seed: 9
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Upcoming fixtures: DET, @DAL, @DET, @PHI, CHA, @IND, @ORL, @HOU, NOP
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 8 seed
Implications: The fourth seed and the advantage of home court in the initial round.
Record: 43-29 | Net rating: 3.9 (9th)
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Critical number for No. 6 seed: 7
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Upcoming fixtures: @MEM, @NOP, NYK, MIL, UTA, @GSW, @PHX, PHI, MIN, MIN
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The fourth seed and the home-court advantage for the first round.
Record: 40-33 | Net rating: 1.0 (16th)
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Critical number for No. 7 seed: 7
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Upcoming fixtures: UTA, @MEM, @ORL, @CHA, @CHI, HOU, DAL, @LAL, @OKC
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Upper limit for placement: No. 3 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The seventh seed and the perk of home-court advantage in their initial play-in tournament match against the eighth seed.
Record: 37-36 | Net rating: 1.3 (14th)
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Critical number for No. 8 seed: 8
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Upcoming fixtures: @IND, @MIL, POR, SAS, @SAC, DAL, OKC, @POR, GSW
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Upper limit for placement: No. 5 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The eighth seed, which offers two opportunities to clinch a postseason spot.
Record: 37-37 | Net rating: -1.3 (20th)
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Critical number for No. 9 seed: 8
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Upcoming fixtures: DAL, WAS, @LAC, NOP, @DEN, @SAS, LAC, SAC
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Upper limit for placement: No. 6 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The eighth seed, granting two opportunities for a playoff entry.
Record: 35-38 | Net rating: 0.3 (18th)
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Critical number for No. 10 seed: 3
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Upcoming fixtures: WAS, @DEN, SAS, CLE, HOU, SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC
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Upper limit for placement: No. 6 seed
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Lower limit for placement: No. 10 seed
Implications: The eighth seed, allowing for two pathways to a playoff spot.
FRIDAY’S IMPORTANT CONTESTS
The Warriors are confirmed for the play-in with a defeat to the Wizards and a Rockets victory over the Grizzlies.
