Each conference essentially has nine teams in contention to make the NBA playoffs. In the East, four teams within two games of each other are fighting for the last three playoff seeds. In the West, five teams are within three games of each other and fighting for four spots.
2 teams in the hunt will miss the NBA playoffs. Who?
We have that and more in Monday’s NBA newsletter.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
While there is some intrigue in seeding still to be decided, these races are the real deal. All the teams involved desperately want to make the playoffs — jobs and futures depend on it. So let’s reset it.
Eastern Conference
We have the Pacers (25-22), Sixers (22-20), Bucks (23-22), and Pistons (22-23). Detroit has lost five straight, including a Sunday heartbreaker at the hands of Spencer Dinwiddie and the Nets. Missing the playoffs would be a disaster for the Bucks or Pistons and wildly disappointing after strong first halves for Indiana and Philadelphia.
The Pistons look like the low team on the totem pole right now, though. Reggie Jackson is still almost a month out from returning. After the Pistons, the Sixers are likely to most likely to fall out due to their youth and the chances (however unfortunate) of Joel Embiid missing time.
Western Conference
In the West we have the Thunder (26-20), Blazers (25-21), Pelicans (24-21), Clippers (23-22), and Nuggets (23-23). Handicapping this race is difficult. But it’s such a miracle that the Clippers climbed back into the conversation that it would be least surprising if they fell back out, especially if the DeAndre Jordan trade rumors continue.
Scores Galore ...
ORL 103, BOS 95
NYK 107, LAL 127
BKN 101, DET 100
IND 94, SAS 86
... And So Much More
The Cavaliers got smoked by the Thunder before national TV audiences and God and everyone on Saturday. They gave up 148 points in regulation! Are their problems fixable? Maybe if they trade for, like, everyone. Meanwhile, LeBron was somewhat lukewarm when asked about Ty Lue’s job security ...
One thing that might bring the Cavs together: laughing at David Blatt.
Awesome ESPN.com feature on LeBron’s path to becoming the youngest ever to score 30,000 points. He should hit the mark on Tuesday.
Speaking of trades, Woj reports that the Hornets are open to trading Kemba Walker.
The Rockets beat the Warriors on national TV Saturday night. Are they a real threat to Golden State? Check out Paul Flannery’s ode to Eric Gordon, who does whatever the Rockets need, which is everything.
End of an era: Tony Parker confirms that Gregg Popovich informed him Dejounte Murray is the Spurs’ new starting point guard.
Flannery on Embiid’s winding road to becoming an All-Star.
Fun Candace Buckner piece on how Indiana embraced Lance Stephenson, a brash and loud Brooklyn streetball legend, and vice versa.
Seerat Sohi on the melancholy joy of watching Manu Ginobili.
Duke landed Vine/YouTube legend Zion Williamson to complete the best recruiting class ever. Better luck next time, Clemson.
The Wizards’ season has been pretty flat. One bright spot: Kelly Oubre’s development.
A truly absurd weekend loss for the Hornets.
The question the Pistons need to answer about themselves is whether they believe Andre Drummond is a franchise player.
Zach Randolph made his return to Memphis on Friday. Why the Grizzlies had trouble saying goodbye, but had to do it.
We have a couple of nice games on NBA TV on Monday: Heat vs. Rockets at 8 p.m. ET and Timberwolves vs. Clippers at 10:30. Big Blazers-Nuggets tilt on League Pass, too. Full schedule here.
And finally: Lucas “Bebe” Noguiera, future Raptor playoff hero and working musician, defends Nickelback.
Be excellent to each other.
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