Just two games remain in the NBA regular season, and the playoff bracket is still muddled, especially in the Eastern Conference, where the only seed that has been officially locked up is the Detroit Pistons at No. 1.
But the slate on Friday, April 10 could go a long way toward clearing up the picture. The Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors can clinch playoff berths with wins (or losses by teams ranked below them), while the Boston Celtics can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win or a loss by the New York Knicks.
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Out West, we know the six teams that have clinched the playoff berths – and the four that are in the play-in tournament – but the order of the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 seeds is still up for grabs, with the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets all battling for position.
All 30 teams are in action Friday night, and there are plenty of intriguing games to watch. Here are the current NBA standings and what the NBA postseason and play-in tournament would look like if the season ended today:
SCHEDULE: Biggest games to watch Friday for playoffs, play-in (and why)
Friday’s schedule
All times Eastern
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Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.
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Miami Heat at Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
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Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m.
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New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
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Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m.
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Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
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Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m.
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Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m.
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Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs, 8 p.m.
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m.
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Minnesota Timberwolves at Houton Rockets, 9:30 p.m.
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Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz, 9:30 p.m.
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Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.
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Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m.
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Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m.
NBA Eastern Conference standings
(Through Thursday, April 9)
*- clinched conference; d- clinched division; x-clinched playoff berth
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x-Boston Celtics: 54-26 (4 GB)
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x-New York Knicks: 52-28 (6 GB)
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x-Cleveland Cavaliers: 51-29 (7 GB)
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Toronto Raptors: 45-35 (13 GB)
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Atlanta Hawks: 45-35 (13 GB)
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Orlando Magic: 44-36 (14 GB)
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Philadelphia 76ers: 43-37 (15 GB)
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Charlotte Hornets: 43-37 (15 GB)
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Miami Heat: 41-39 (17 GB)
The Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards have been eliminated from postseason contention.
NBA Western Conference standings
(Through Thursday, April 9)
c- clinched conference; d- clinched division; x-clinched playoff berth
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c-Oklahoma City Thunder: 64-16
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d-San Antonio Spurs: 61-19 (3 GB)
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x-Denver Nuggets: 52-28 (12 GB)
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d-Los Angeles Lakers: 51-29 (13 GB)
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x-Houston Rockets: 51-29 (13 GB)
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x-Minnesota Timberwolves: 47-33 (17 GB)
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Phoenix Suns: 44-36 (20 GB)
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Los Angeles Clippers: 41-39 (23 GB)
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Portland Trail Blazers: 40-40 (24 GB)
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Golden State Warriors: 37-43 (27 GB)
The New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Kings and Utah Jazz have been eliminated from postseason contention.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks will face off for the second time in three days as both seek to lock down playoff seeds.
NBA playoffs bracket
(Through Thursday, April 9)
Eastern Conference
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(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Play-In Winner
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(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
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(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
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(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
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Western Conference
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(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
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(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets
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(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
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(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Play-In Winner
NBA Play-In Tournament
(Through Thursday, April 9)
Eastern Conference
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(7) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
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(9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (10) Miami Heat
Western Conference
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(7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Los Angeles Clippers
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(9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors
When do the NBA playoffs begin?
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins Tuesday, April 14 and finishes Friday, April 17.
The NBA playoffs begin the very next day, Saturday, April 18, featuring eight teams in each conference after two teams from both the East and West are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Wednesday, June 3.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoff bracket picture, standings, clinch scenarios, schedule
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