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The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on Sunday. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, relevant tiebreakers and the stakes for every day’s slate of games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Clinched playoff berth
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Net rating: 5.4
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Remaining schedule: @SAS, @MEM
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (clinched no lower than No. 3)
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No relevant tiebreakers
Clinched playoff berth
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Net rating: 6.6
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Remaining schedule: ATL, PHX
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (clinched no lower than No. 3)
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Own tiebreakers against: Nuggets
Clinched playoff berth
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Net rating: 6.6
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Magic number for top-two seed: Do not control destiny
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Remaining schedule: MIL, DAL
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Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (clinched no lower than No. 3)
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Own tiebreakers against: Nuggets
Clinched playoff berth
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5. Dallas Mavericks (50-30)
Clinched playoff berth
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Net rating: 3.0
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Magic number for No. 4 seed: Do not control destiny
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Remaining schedule: DET, @OKC
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Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed (clinched no lower than No. 5)
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No relevant tiebreakers
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Net rating: 3.0
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Remaining schedule: @SAC, @MIN
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Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed (clinched no 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 No. 9 seed: Do not control destiny
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Remaining schedule: @MEM, @NOP
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Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed
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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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Remaining schedule: @POR, NOP, UTA
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Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed
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Own tiebreakers against: Lakers
Thursday’s games of consequence (all times Eastern)
Warriors at Blazers (10 p.m.)
Pelicans at Kings (10 p.m., TNT)
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NOP clinches at least a top-seven seed with a win
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SAC will be eliminated from contention for a guaranteed playoff berth with a loss
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PHX clinches at least a top-eight seed with a SAC loss
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Clinched No. 1 seed and first-round playoff series vs. No. 8 seed (determined by play-in tournament)
Clinched playoff berth
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Net rating: 3.2
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Remaining schedule: @OKC, @ORL
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 4)
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Own tiebreakers against: Knicks
3. New York Knicks (47-32)
Clinched playoff berth
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (47-33)
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Net rating: 2.6
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Remaining schedule: IND, CHA
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched 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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Remaining schedule: @PHI, MIL
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Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched 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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Remaining schedule: @CLE, ATL
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Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed (clinched 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 playoff berth: Do not control destiny
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Remaining schedule: ORL, BKN
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Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed (clinched 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 playoff berth: Do not control destiny
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Remaining schedule: TOR, TOR
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Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)
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Own tiebreakers against: Cavaliers, Magic
Clinched play-in berth
10. Atlanta Hawks (36-44)
Clinched play-in berth
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Net rating: -1.6
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Magic number for No. 9 seed: Do not control destiny
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Remaining schedule: @MIN, @IND
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Highest possible finish: No. 9 seed
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No relevant tiebreakers
Thursday’s games of consequence (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 a win
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NYK will be eliminated from contention for the No. 2 seed with a loss
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MIL clinches at least a top-three seed with a NYK loss