Nothing much happened in the Eastern Conference playoff picture on Tuesday, as only the Raptors and Celtics played. Both won. Hurray! Those teams remain way out in front. Here’s what the bracket looks like.
NBA playoff picture: Timberwolves sure are frisky
Minnesota picked up a huge win over the Clippers that may spell the end of LA’s run.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Raptors (1) vs. Bucks (8)
Pacers (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Cavaliers (3) vs. Sixers (6)
Celtics (2) vs. Heat (7)
All four teams in that No. 3-6 battle are in action Wednesday, including the Cavaliers against the Raptors (7 p.m. ET) and the Wizards against the Spurs (9:30), both on ESPN. The Sixers host the Grizzlies and the Pacers are in New Orleans. Those four teams are all within one loss of each other.
The Heat (vs. Knicks) and Bucks (vs. Clippers) are both in action, too. They are tied in the loss column.
Over in the West, the Blazers have built up enough of a lead for No. 3 that a loss to Houston doesn’t hurt them much. Portland is at 27 losses; everyone else in the Western quagmire has at least 30. That includes the Thunder, who lost a game they had no business whatsoever losing to the injury-riddled Celtics.
The Wolves won an important showdown with the Clippers, the Pelicans handled the Mavericks, and the Jazz inexplicably lost to the Atlanta Hawks. The New Orleans’ win and OKC’s loss knots them up (along with idle San Antonio) at 30 losses. Minnesota and Utah now have 31 and sit in the Nos. 7 and 8 spots. We’re losing the idle Nuggets and reeling Clips, who both have 33 losses.
Here’s a look at the current West bracket, one I would happily accept.
Rockets (1) vs. Jazz (8)
Thunder (4) vs. Pelicans (5)
Blazers (3) vs. Spurs (6)
Warriors (2) vs. Timberwolves (7)
The Pelicans, Spurs, Nuggets, and Clippers all play teams of varying quality on Wednesday. LA’s match against the Bucks might qualify as a must-win at this point. Denver cannot lose in Chicago and retain any faith from its fanbase.
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