Every game is critical for the teams behind the Warriors in the West playoff race with just nine or 10 remaining for most NBA teams. Two teams in particular that are fighting a very specific battle are the Clippers and Blazers. Right now, they look like the most probable No. 4 and No. 5 postseason pairing. Whichever team has the better record will earn home court advantage, despite the fact that Portland can't fall below the No. 4 seed due to its assured victory of the Northwest Division banner. (The Blazers' magic number to clinch the division is two.)
2015 NBA playoff standings: Blazers, Clippers fighting for home court
Plus the Thunder stand to lose their grip on the West’s No. 8 seed.
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After Saturday’s action, the Clippers lead the Blazers by a half-game. If the two teams finish the season tied in the standings, Portland will win home court due to its division title. So to snatch the advantage, L.A. needs to be a game better. Why is this critical? The Blazers are the West’s second-best team at home (29-7), and just .500 on the road this season.
Of course, both teams are also in the mix for the the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, and San Antonio looms just 1.5 games behind L.A. as well. Here’s what the bracket currently looks like after Saturday’s action:
In the East, the Hornets stayed alive in the most improbable way -- beating the Hawks. Charlotte is now tied with the Pacers one game behind the Celtics for No. 8 with the Nets in their path (0.5 games out). Charlotte is the only team Miami isn't safe from in terms of tiebreakers, and the Heat have a game on the Celtics and two on the Hornets.
Here’s what the East bracket currently looks like:
On Sunday there are a smattering of games involving playoff race teams, but two critical showdowns: Memphis at San Antonio (7 p.m. ET, League Pass) and OKC at Phoenix (9 p.m. ET, NBA TV). The latter could show us whether there is still a race for No. 8 in the West or whether the Thunder seek to end it early.
Be sure to check out SB Nation’s tiebreaker guides for the East and West for a more detailed look at various advantages.
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