BOSTON -- The regular season is winding down and there’s still a lot of uncertainty in the playoff races.
Courtesy of the NBA, here’s a breakdown of both the Eastern and Western Conference playoff scenarios, with teams listed as to where they may fall in the playoff pecking order. Those teams in BOLD CAPS have secured that particular playoff seeding already.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Cleveland or Boston
2. Boston, Cleveland or Toronto
3. Toronto or Boston
4. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
5. Atlanta, Milwaukee or Indiana
6. Atlanta, Milwaukee, Indiana or Miami
7. Atlanta, Milwaukee, Indiana, Chicago or Miami
8. Milwaukee, Indiana, Chicago or Miami
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
2. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
3. HOUSTON ROCKETS
4. Utah or L.A. Clippers
5. L.A. Clippers or Utah
6. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
7. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
8. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Tonight’s clinch scenarios:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
- Cleveland clinches No. 1 seed if Cavs win and Celtics lose
- Boston clinches Atlantic Division title with a victory
- Indiana clinches playoff spot with a win AND a loss by EITHER Miami or Chicago
- Chicago clinches playoff spot with a win AND Miami loss
WESTERN CONFERENCE
- L.A. Clippers clinch No. 4 seed if Clippers win and Jazz lose.