The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 14. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, strength of schedule, relevant tiebreakers and the stakes for every day’s slate of games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Clinched playoff berth
2. Denver Nuggets (52-23)
Clinched playoff berth
Clinched playoff berth
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Projected record: 57-25
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Net rating: 6.4
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Remaining schedule: HOU, TOR, @PHX, @LAL, WAS, @DEN, ATL, PHX
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (clinched no lower than No. 6)
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Own tiebreakers against: Thunder, Nuggets, Clippers, Mavericks, Pelicans
4. Los Angeles Clippers (47-27)
5. Dallas Mavericks (45-29)
7. Phoenix Suns (44-31)
8. Sacramento Kings (43-31)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (42-33)
10. Golden State Warriors (40-34)
11. Houston Rockets (38-36)
Tuesday’s games of consequence (all times Eastern)
Lakers at Raptors (7 p.m.)
Thunder at 76ers (7:30 p.m., TNT)
Rockets at Timberwolves (8 p.m.)
Spurs at Nuggets (9 p.m.)
Clippers at Kings (10 p.m.)
Mavericks at Warriors (10 p.m., TNT)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Clinched No. 1 seed and first-round playoff series vs. No. 8 seed (determined by play-in tournament)
4. New York Knicks (44-30)
6. Indiana Pacers (43-33)
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Projected record: 45-37
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Net rating: 1.5
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Remaining schedule: NYK, PHI, @HOU, @IND, @ATL, DAL, TOR, TOR
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)
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Own tiebreakers against: Cavaliers, Magic, Bulls, Hawks
8. Philadelphia 76ers (40-35)
9. Chicago Bulls (36-40)
Clinched play-in berth
10. Atlanta Hawks (35-40)
Tuesday’s games of consequence (all times Eastern)
Bucks at Wizards (7 p.m.)
Thunder at 76ers (7:30 p.m., TNT)
Knicks at Heat (7:30 p.m.)
Cavaliers at Jazz (9 p.m.)
Source Agencies
