With each NBA team having completed 81 games, the final day of the regular season, Sunday, remains highly consequential, offering significant stakes for many teams.
Even after 1,215 games, numerous playoff and lottery positions are still undecided as all 30 teams prepare for their season finale.
For some, Sunday marks the start of the offseason and anticipation for the NBA draft lottery on May 12. For others, it`s the beginning of a potentially long playoff journey aiming for the NBA Championship Trophy.
Here’s a breakdown of what`s at stake as the regular season concludes, starting with the competitive Western Conference:
Western Conference Playoff Picture
Teams with Secured Positions:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have secured the top seed in both the Western Conference and the entire NBA, guaranteeing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. A win on Sunday against New Orleans would mark their 68th victory of the season, joining a select group in NBA history.
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are locked into the second seed, concluding an unexpectedly successful season with home-court advantage for the first two playoff rounds. Their Sunday game against Denver will influence other Western Conference outcomes.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Following a Friday victory over Houston, the Lakers are confirmed as the third seed, awaiting clarity on the lower Western Conference bracket.
Remaining Western Conference Scenarios:
Essentially, everything else is still in play!
4. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets control their seeding. A win against the Houston Rockets would secure home-court advantage in the first round after a turbulent week.
5. LA Clippers
Similar to Denver, the Clippers are close to a playoff spot after winning against Sacramento on Friday. However, they face a tougher challenge against the Golden State Warriors. A win and a Denver loss would move the Clippers to fourth, while a win and a Denver win would set up a first-round matchup against the Nuggets. A loss could push them into the play-in tournament.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves missed an opportunity for home-court advantage after a loss to the Bucks. A win against the Utah Jazz would guarantee a top-six seed in the West. They could potentially reach the fourth seed if both Denver and the Clippers lose on Sunday, due to season series wins over both teams.
The late games will determine the play-in tournament participants.
7. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors also have a game they regret, having lost to the Kings earlier in the week. After defeating Portland on Friday, they need a Sunday win to ensure a top-six spot. If both the Warriors and Timberwolves win, the Timberwolves will be fifth, the Warriors sixth, and the Clippers seventh.
Golden State is guaranteed at least a home play-in game as they cannot fall below seventh due to tiebreakers.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies missed a chance to improve their position by losing to the Nuggets on Friday. They need help to move from eighth despite hosting Dallas on Sunday. Memphis is locked into the play-in but can move to seventh if Minnesota loses to Utah. They will play either Golden State or Minnesota in the play-in tournament depending on Sunday`s results.
9. Sacramento Kings, 10. Dallas Mavericks
The final two play-in spots in the West are between the Kings and Mavericks, who are currently tied. Sacramento holds the tiebreaker due to winning the season series against Dallas. The Kings control their destiny and will secure a home play-in game with a win over Phoenix or a Dallas loss.
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
Eastern Conference Positions are Finalized:
Friday`s results have definitively set the Eastern Conference playoff and play-in seeds:
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Boston Celtics
- New York Knicks
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Detroit Pistons
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks
- Chicago Bulls
- Miami Heat
NBA Draft Lottery Standings
Top Lottery Teams:
1/2. Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards
Both the Jazz and Wizards are tied for the worst record at 17-64 after Friday losses. A coin flip will decide draft order if they remain tied, as lottery odds for the top three picks are the same.
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. New Orleans Pelicans
5. Philadelphia 76ers
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Toronto Raptors
8. San Antonio Spurs
The lottery positions from 3rd to 8th are set. Philadelphia at 5th will retain its top-six protected pick unless several teams behind them jump in the lottery, in which case it could go to Oklahoma City.
9/10. Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns
Both teams may lose their final games. A coin flip will determine draft order between them if they remain tied, although lottery odds are equal.
Phoenix`s pick belongs to Houston from a previous trade with Brooklyn, potentially giving Houston a better pick than Brooklyn this year.
11. Miami Heat
Miami has no seeding implications and might prefer to lose to maintain the 11th lottery spot, aligning with Washington`s lottery interests.
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks
14. Dallas Mavericks
15. Sacramento Kings
The Kings` pick goes to Atlanta if outside the top 12. Seeding and game outcomes could affect the Kings` pick position and whether it conveys to Atlanta.
16. Orlando Magic
