Both conferences have been mighty competitive in 2015-16, and as the NBA playoffs approach we want to keep track of what teams have seeding advantages and tiebreakers. We’ll update this tracker daily.
Your 2016 NBA playoff picture and tiebreaker guide
Need help sorting through the NBA playoff bracket maze as the postseason approaches? We’ve got you covered.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
We aren’t including the basic standings here -- you can find those at NBA.com with conference and division breakdowns. The tiebreakers listed below only come into account when teams are tied in the standings. Also note that we’ve only listed potentially relevant tiebreakers, especially for the top teams in both conferences. The Warriors’ tiebreak advantage over the Jazz will never actually come into play.
CURRENT NBA PLAYOFF PICTURE
Updated after the games played on April 13, 2016. The Eastern Conference playoff picture is finally set, but not before the regular season ended with a four-way tie in the standings. Miami, Atlanta, Boston and Charlotte all finished the season at 48-34. The Heat get the No. 3 seed and a matchup with Charlotte even after losing to Boston on Wednesday by virtue of winning the Southeast Division. Atlanta blew its chance at the No. 3 seed by losing to Washington on Wednesday. The Hawks will be the No. 4 seed, drawing a first round matchup with the fifth-seeded Celtics. Charlotte defeated Orlando, and will be the No. 6 seed on the road against Miami because of the head-to-head tiebreaker. Boston defeated Charlotte two-of-three times in the regular season. This is all very silly, and we’re glad it’s over. Playoffs!
In the West, the Spurs beat the Mavericks, which means Portland will be the No. 5 seed and open the playoffs against the Clippers. The Warriors beat the Grizzlies, so Dallas will be the No. 6 seed and face the third-seeded Thunder. Memphis, with a loss to Golden State, enters the playoffs as the No. 7 seed and opens against San Antonio.
EAST
Cavaliers (1) vs. Pistons (8)
Hawks (4) vs. Celtics (5)
Raptors (2) vs. Pacers (7)
Heat (3) vs. Hornets (6)
WEST
Warriors (1) vs. Rockets (8)
Clippers (4) vs. Blazers (5)
Spurs (2) vs. Grizzlies (7)
Thunder (3) vs. Mavericks (6)
EAST
Relevant tiebreakers
Miami over Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte
Atlanta over Boston, Charlotte
Boston over Charlotte
WEST
Relevant tiebreakers
Dallas over Memphis
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