The NBA playoff picture will become clearer every day between now and the end of the regular season on Sunday. In the meantime, we’ll provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, relevant tiebreakers and stakes for each day’s game slate.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
A place in the playoffs
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Net rating: 5.4
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Magic number for the No. 1 seed:2
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Remaining calendar: @SAS, @MEM
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 1 (no lower than No. 3)
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No relevant tiebreaker
A place in the playoffs
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Net rating: 6.6
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Magic number for the top two seeds:2
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Remaining calendar: ATL, PHX
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 1 (no lower than No. 3)
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Own tiebreakers against: Nuggets
A place in the playoffs
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Net rating: 6.6
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Magic number for the top two seeds: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining calendar: MIL, DAL
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 1 (no lower than No. 3)
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Own tiebreakers against: Nuggets
A place in the playoffs
5. Dallas Mavericks (50-30)
A place in the playoffs
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Net rating: 3.0
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Magic number for seed #4: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining calendar: DET, @OKC
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 4 (seed no lower than No. 5)
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No relevant tiebreaker
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Net rating: 3.0
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Magic number for the top eight seeds: 1
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Remaining calendar: @SAC, @MIN
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 6 (not lower than No. 9)
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Own tiebreakers 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 calendar: @MEM, @NOP
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Highest possible finish: Seed n°7
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Own tiebreakers against: Suns
10. Golden State Warriors (44-35)
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Net rating: 2.4
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Magic number for seed #9:3
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Remaining calendar: @POR, NOP, UTA
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Highest possible finish: Seed n°7
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Own tiebreakers against: Lakers
Thursday’s important matches (all times Eastern)
Warriors at Blazers (10 p.m.)
Pelicans at Kings (10 p.m., TNT)
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NOP clinches at least one top-seven seed with win
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SAC will be eliminated from competition for a guaranteed playoff spot in the event of a loss
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PHX clinches at least one top-eight seed with SAC loss
EAST CONFERENCE
Earned the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff series against the No. 8 seed (determined by play-in tournament)
A place in the playoffs
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Net rating: 3.2
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Magic number for seed #2: 1
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Remaining calendar: @OKC, @ENT
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 2 (dropped no lower than No. 4)
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Own tiebreakers against: Knicks
3. New York Knicks (47-32)
A place in the playoffs
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (47-33)
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Net rating: 2.6
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Magic number for a playoff spot: 1
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Remaining calendar: IND, CHA
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 2 (no lower than No. 7)
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Own tiebreakers against: Heat
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Net rating: 2.0
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Magic number for a playoff spot:2
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Remaining calendar: @PHI, MIL
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 2 (dropped no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreakers against: Knicks, Pacers
6. Indiana Pacers (46-34)
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Net rating: 2.6
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Magic number for a playoff spot: 1
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Remaining calendar: @CLE, ATL
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 3 (no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreakers 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 a playoff spot: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining calendar: ENT, BKN
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 5 (seed no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreakers against: Magic
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Net rating: 1.4
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Magic number for a playoff spot: Don’t control destiny
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Remaining calendar: TDR, TDR
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Highest possible finish: Seed No. 5 (no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreakers against: Riders, Magic
Playing place unhooked
10. Atlanta Falcons (36-44)
Playing place unhooked
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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 calendar: @MIN, @IND
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Highest possible finish: Seed n°9
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No relevant tiebreaker
Thursday’s important matches (all times Eastern)
Bulls at Pistons (7 p.m.)
Knicks at Celtics (7:30 p.m., TNT)
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NYK clinches at least a top-five seed with win
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NYK will be eliminated from the race for the No. 2 seed in case of defeat
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MIL clinches at least a top-three seed with loss in New York
