NBA playoff picture: Spurs aren’t done yet

LaMarcus Aldridge’s revival season isn’t over yet. Aldridge had a big game in a big game as the Spurs beat the Pelicans, 98-93, Thursday night.

That win and the Clippers’ loss to the Rockets helped San Antonio back into the NBA playoff bracket ... for now. It also prevented New Orleans from winning the tiebreaker over San Antonio ... for now. The Pels are up, 2-1, in the season series with the teams meeting for the final time on the last day of the season.

The Spurs still have a tough path ahead, and the Nuggets also won, keeping pressure high.

The Jazz won their eighth straight (albeit over the Suns) and the Blazers earned their 11th victory in a row with a win over the Cavaliers to strengthen their separation from the pack. Portland has 26 losses. Everyone else in the Western quagmire has 29 to 31 losses.

Here’s what the West bracket would look like if the season ended right now. It actually might be the optimal bracket for entertainment purposes!

Rockets (1) vs. Spurs (8)
Thunder (4) vs. Timberwolves (5)
Blazers (3) vs. Pelicans (6)
Warriors (2) vs. Jazz (7)

In the East, the Raptors came back to beat the Pacers and extend their lead for the No. 1 seed to five games. This race is a wrap. We’re going to stop talking about it now. Indiana’s loss could have dropped the Pacers down out of No. 3, but the Cavaliers lost in Portland. As such, Cleveland remains a half-game back. Those two squads losing moves the inactive Wizards ever closer to the No. 3 seed.

The Sixers lurk as well, given their easy schedule and Thursday win over the Knicks. Indiana and Cleveland have 29 losses, Washington and Philadelphia have 30. Unless the Bucks or Heat go on runs, those four teams will play each other in some combination in the first round. Let the jockeying begin!

Here’s how the East would shake out as of right now.

Raptors (1) vs. Heat (8)
Cavaliers (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pacers (3) vs. Sixers (6)
Celtics (2) vs. Bucks (7)