The picture of the NBA playoffs will become clearer every day between now and the end of the regular season on Sunday. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the scenario, including magic numbers, relevant tiebreakers and bets for each day’s fixture list.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Won Playoff Berth
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Net Rating: 5.4
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Remaining schedule: @SAS, @MEM
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (earned no lower than No. 3)
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There are no relevant tiebreaker criteria
Won Playoff Berth
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Net rating: 6.6
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Remaining schedule: ATL, PHX
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (earned no lower than No. 3)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Nuggets
Won Playoff Berth
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Net rating: 6.6
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Magic number for the first two seeds: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining schedule: MIL, DAL
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (earned no lower than No. 3)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Nuggets
Won Playoff Berth
5.Dallas Mavericks (50-30)
Won Playoff Berth
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Net Rating: 3.0
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Magic number for #4 seed: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining schedule: DET, @OKC
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Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed (earned no lower than No. 5)
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There are no relevant tiebreaker criteria
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Net rating: 3.0
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Remaining schedule: @SAC, @MIN
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Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed (earned no lower than No. 9)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Pelicans, Warriors
8. Sacramento Kings (45-34)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (45-35)
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Net rating: 0.4
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Magic number for seed #9: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining schedule: @MEM, @NOP
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Highest possible finish: Seed #7
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Suns
10. Golden State Warriors (44-35)
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Net Rating: 2.4
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Remaining schedule: @POR, NOP, UTA
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Highest possible finish: Seed #7
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Lakers
Thursday’s important games (all Eastern times)
Warriors at Blazers (10pm)
Pelicans at Kings (10 p.m., TNT)
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NOP clinches at least one of the top seven with a win
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SAC will be eliminated from contention for a guaranteed spot in the playoffs with a defeat
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PHX clinches at least one of the top eight seeds with SAC loss
EAST CONFERENCE
Won first place in the playoff series and in the first round against the number 8 seed (determined by the play-in tournament)
Won Playoff Berth
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Net rating: 3.2
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Remaining schedule: @OKC, @ORL
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (earned no lower than No. 4)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Knicks
3. New York Knicks (47-32)
Won Playoff Berth
4.Cleveland Cavaliers (47-33)
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Net rating: 2.6
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Remaining schedule: IND, CHA
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (earned no lower than No. 7)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Warm
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Net rating: 2.0
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Remaining schedule: @PHI, MIL
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (earned no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Knicks, Pacers
6. Indiana Pacers (46-34)
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Net rating: 2.6
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Remaining schedule: @CLE, ATL
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Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed (earned no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Bucks, Knicks, 76ers, Heat
7. Philadelphia 76ers (45-35)
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Net rating: 2.8
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Magic number for playoff spot: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining schedule: ENT, BKN
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Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed (earned no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Magic
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Net rating: 1.4
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Magic number for playoff spot: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining schedule: TOR, TOR
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Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed (earned no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreaker criteria against: Knights, Magic
Guaranteed place in the play-in
10. Atlanta Hawks (36-44)
Guaranteed place in the play-in
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Net rating: -1.6
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Magic number for seed #9: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining schedule: @MIN, @IND
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Highest possible finish: Seed #9
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There are no relevant tiebreaker criteria
Thursday’s important games (all Eastern times)
Bulls at Pistons (7pm)
Knicks at Celtics (7:30 p.m., TNT)
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NYK clinches at least one of the top five with a win
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NYK will be eliminated from the race for second place with defeat
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MIL wins at least one of the top three with defeat in NYK
