The end of the regular season is on the horizon. Six teams have clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference and four have clinched in the Western Conference. Three teams still need to be eliminated.
There are some great games remaining on the NBA schedule and many of them will have an impact on playoff seeding.
Thursday April 7
Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks, 8:00PM
These two teams have already clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, but a lot could change for the Hawks.
What's at stake?
The Raptors clinched the Atlantic Division title for the third consecutive year. They are still in the running for the top seed in the conference, three and a half games behind the Cavs. But while the second seed is the lowest the Raptors can possibly draw, the Hawks could fall as low as seven if they lose the rest of their games. Just one and a half games separates the Hawks from their current three seed and the sixth seed.
Three other teams from the Southeast Division have clinched a playoff berth, but the division race is far from settled. The Hawks lead the Miami Heat by a half-game and the Charlotte Hornets by a game and a half. This one will come down to the wire.
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat, 8:00PM
This Thursday night battle on TNT will be crucial for the Bulls.
What's at stake?
The Heat have already clinched a playoff berth and are currently in the logjam in the East. As previously stated, they are very much in the running for the Southeast Division title, which could very well equate to the third seed in the postseason. The Bulls, however have had a terrible run dating all the way back to mid-January. They now sit on the outside looking in, staring at a two-game gap between them and the eighth-seeded Pistons. Simply put, every game matters for the Bulls.
San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors, 10:30PM
A game that was circled on everybody's calendars just got much more interesting.
What's at stake?
With the Warriors losing the second of their last three home games on Tuesday, they now have to win out to finish 73-9 and best the '96 Bulls record. On top of that, the Spurs are hovering three and a half games behind them in the Western Conference standings. While it is largely speculated that Gregg Popovich will rest his starters for this game, the Warriors would clinch the top seed with a win. They would also become the second team in NBA history to win 70 games in a season.
Friday April 8
Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons, 7:30PM
Prior to Wednesday night's games, these two teams were separated by three and a half games.
What's at stake?
The Wizards (37-40) are the last team in the East not to have been eliminated. Losers of three of their last four games, the Wiz have a five percent chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN BPI's Playoff Odds. They do own the tiebreaker over the Pistons, but this game could be the one that officially sends the Wizards to the offseason.
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors, 7:30PM
A potential first-round playoff matchup, the Pacers may be able to clinch a playoff berth with a win in this game.
What's at stake?
A Pacers win would tie the season series between the two. Not that it would matter because the Raptors have locked up the two seed. Still, the Pacers still have a shot (however slim) at the third seed in the East. But not if they lose to to the Cavs on Wednesday night.
Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30PM
Two and a half games separated the fifth-seeded Grizzlies and the seventh-seeded Mavericks, neither of whom have clinched.
What's at stake?
Clearly, the fifth seed in the West is still within reach for the Mavs. But the tighter race is beneath them, with the Jazz and Rockets hot on their tails (each within a game). Meanwhile, the same goes for the Griz, who have nowhere to go but down. They have surprisingly maintained the five seed through a bevy of injuries to key players. With Mike Conley now done for the season, the Griz will do what they do and grind out the rest of the season in hopes of maintaining their position in the standings.
Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz, 9:00PM
The Clippers have clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year. The Jazz are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.
What's at stake?
The Clippers have also clinched home court advantage in the first round of the postseason and have a slight chance of moving up to the three seed. The Jazz (39-39) were clinging to a half-game lead over the Rockets on Wednesday for the final playoff spot in the West. They could potentially catch the Grizzlies at the five seed, but their primary concern is fending off the Rockets and clinching the playoffs.
Saturday April 9
Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30PM
Among the four teams in the logjam in the East, the Celtics and Hawks are neck-and-neck in the standings.
What's at stake?
This is the fourth and final game between the two teams, who have both clinched a playoff berth. The Hawks lead the season series 2-1 and are a half-game ahead of the Celtics going into Wednesday. At third and fourth place, both teams would have home court if the playoffs started today. With such a slim margin between being home and away in the playoffs, every game is a must-win. The Hawks, as previously stated, are in a tight race for the Southeast Division title.
Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies, 8:00PM
One of two games on nationally television Saturday night, it should be clear what is at stake for these two teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, 8:30PM
Both of these two teams have already been talked about and, by this point, it is possible the Bulls could already be eliminated.
Sunday April 10
Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards, 12:00PM
The Hornets are part of the tight race that is the Southeast Division.
What's at stake?
You may know by now that the three teams in the race for the Southeast Division title have all clinched a playoff berth. As of Wednesday, that was the difference between third place in the conference and sixth, where the Hornets are situated. Once third in the conference standings, the Hornets have slipped and are now a game and a half behind the Hawks.
As for the Wizards, there is a large probability that they will be eliminated by this time. If not, they will be clawing for the eighth seed and a subsequent playoff berth.
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers, 3:30PM
You know the drill. The Clippers will not move in the standings. The Mavericks could be fifth or they could be ninth. Most likely, they will not have clinched a playoff berth yet.
Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs, 7:00PM
In what is the second-to-last home game of the season for the Spurs, they could be looking at the NBA's first perfect regular season home record. Or, more likely, Gregg Popovich will rest his starters.
Will the Warriors be 71-9 coming into this game?
Monday April 11
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:00PM
Cleveland could have the top seed locked up and Atlanta the Southeast Division. The Cavs will likely be in a position to rest starters for this one. The game will likely carry meaning for the Hawks.
Charlotte Hornets at Boston Celtics, 7:30PM
This could be a potential first-round matchup. The game could also decide seeding in the East, which could boil down to home court advantage.
Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz, 9:00PM
The Mavs and Jazz will likely still be in a tight race in the bottom of the playoff standings. This could be a deciding factor on playoff seeding and one or both teams may clinch with a win.
Tuesday April 12
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons, 7:30PM
Two likely playoff teams will duke it out for seeding. The Heat could have a Southeast Division title within reach, while the Pistons may have clinched a playoff berth coming into this contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, 8:00PM
Will it come down to this on TNT for the best regular season home record in NBA history? Again, Popovich will be Popovich and this game will likely be for nothing more than pride. Don't be surprised if both teams rest starters.
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30PM
In what could possibly be a first-round playoff matchup in the West, the Clippers could use this opportunity to rest starters. The Grizzlies are more difficult to forecast, but appear poised to hold onto the fifth seed. In that case, they would have clinched by April 12.
Wednesday April 13
Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, 8:00PM
Potential first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Could decide home court.
Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets, 8:00PM
This game may still be the difference between the three seed and the six seed for the Hornets.
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers, 8:00PM
Potential first-round matchup. Cleveland will likely rest. Detroit may have a chance to avoid seeing the Cavs in the first round.
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, 8:00PM
The Wizards will likely be eliminated, while a win for the Hawks may lock up their third straight division title.
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks, 8:00PM
It may come down to the final game of the regular season for the Mavericks to make the playoffs.
Sacramento Kings at Houston Rockets, 8:00PM
The Rockets may need a win to extend their season.
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:00PM
The Pacers have fluctuated in the standings this season, but the outcome of their last game could decide their playoff seeding.
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors, 10:30PM
Where will the Warriors stand? 72-9? 71-10? Worse? The Grizzlies may have something to play for but, if the Warriors lose any more games before then, they may finally rest players.
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30PM
The grand finale for Kobe Bryant. His farewell tour concludes with a game that will only matter for the Jazz. But we know that won't be the story.
Kobe's final games in the NBA:
April 6 vs. Clippers
April 8 at New Orleans Pelicans
April 10 at Houston
April 11 at Oklahoma City
April 13 vs. Utah