As the NBA season winds down, every game becomes a high-stakes battle for playoff positioning. With just over a week and 89 games remaining, the race to secure postseason berths is more intense than ever.
Eastern Conference: The Field is Set, But Seeding is Key
The ten Eastern Conference postseason teams are all but locked in, but there’s still plenty to play for. Cleveland, Boston, New York, and Indiana have clinched playoff spots. Detroit and Milwaukee are on the verge of joining them, while Orlando, Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago seem destined for the play-in tournament. With seeding still up for grabs, expect some nail-biting finishes down the stretch.
Western Conference: Chaos in the Wild, Wild West
The Western Conference is a different beast entirely. Oklahoma City holds the No. 1 seed, with Houston safely in the playoffs. But beyond that? It’s mayhem. The Lakers, Nuggets, Warriors, and Timberwolves currently hold playoff spots, but the Clippers and Grizzlies are hot on their heels, desperate to avoid the play-in. Meanwhile, the Mavericks and Kings are battling for play-in berths, while the Suns, Blazers, and Spurs cling to hope.
All told, 23 of the league’s 30 teams are still in the fight for something other than draft lottery odds. The final stretch will be a sprint to the finish line.
Thursday’s Must-Watch Games
- Orlando at Washington: The Magic need this one to solidify their play-in position.
- Milwaukee at Philadelphia: A Bucks win would clinch their postseason spot.
- Minnesota at Brooklyn: The Timberwolves want to avoid the play-in drama.
- Memphis at Miami: The Grizzlies are reeling, while the Heat are red-hot with six straight wins.
- Portland at Toronto: The Blazers have slim hopes, but winning out is their only shot.
- Golden State at LA Lakers: A potential first-round preview featuring none other than Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Need we say more?
National TV Slate
Thursday night brings a TNT doubleheader:
- Grizzlies vs. Heat – 7:30 p.m. ET
- Warriors vs. Lakers – 10:00 p.m. ET
On Friday, NBA TV keeps the action going with Phoenix vs. Boston at 7:30 p.m. ET.
With so much at stake and so little time left, every possession counts. Buckle up, NBA fans—this is the stretch run we’ve been waiting for!