The NBA playoffs are just around the corner. Sure, there is still time for teams on the cusp to make one final push for the postseason, but for the most part, we know which teams are competing for an NBA title.
That said, many of the teams in the middle of the pack in each conference are jumbled up, so close together that a bad or good stretch could determine whether they get home-court advantage in their opening series or the conference semifinals.
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As it stands right now, as of the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18, the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed Boston Celtics are just eight games ahead of the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks. In the West, the No. 3 and 6 seeds are within 1.5 games of one another.
A lot could happen between now and the end of the regular season that could shape the postseason. That said, it’s still interesting to look at where each team would fall if the season ended today.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama grabs a rebound during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
NBA playoff bracket
Records and standings through games played on Wednesday, March 18
*-indicates play-in team
Eastern Conference
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Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27)
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Philadelphia 76ers (37-32)*
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Charlotte Hornets (35-34)*
Western Conference
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Oklahoma City Thunder (54-15)
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San Antonio Spurs (51-18)
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Los Angeles Lakers (43-25)
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Minnesota Timberwolves (42-27)
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Los Angeles Clippers (34-34)*
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Golden State Warriors (33-35)*
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Portland Trail Blazers (33-36)*
When does NBA regular season end?
The regular season will end on Sunday, April 12. The play-in tournament will start just two days later on Tuesday, April 14 with games played through Friday, April 17.
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The classic NBA postseason will begin on April 18.
How does NBA play-in tournament work?
The tournament is divided into three games for each conference.
The first game will see the No. 7 seed host the No. 8 seed with the No. 7 seed in the playoffs on the line. The loser will face the winner of the game between the conference’s No. 9 and No. 10 seeds.
Whoever loses that third game will be eliminated from the postseason, while the winner will claim their conferene’s No. 8 seed and a date with the No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs.
NBA playoffs schedule
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Play-in tournament: April 14-17
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First round: Begins April 18
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Second round: Expected to start early May
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Conference finals: Expected to start late May
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NBA Finals: June 3 – June 10/17 (dependent on series lengths)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who’s in, out of NBA playoffs if the season ended today?
Read the full article here