{"id":563800,"date":"2026-03-25T17:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/563800\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T17:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:36:09","slug":"nba-playoff-picture-all-of-the-scenarios-and-stakes-for-postseason-contenders-down-the-stretch-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/563800\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA playoff picture: All of the scenarios and stakes for postseason contenders down the stretch run"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, remaining schedules and the stakes for every day’s slate of games<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jump to: Western Conference<\/a><\/p>\n

EASTERN CONFERENCE<\/p>\n

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, in some order, appear bound for the top four playoff seeds and home-court advantage in the opening round. The Pistons, who hold a five-game lead on the Celtics and Knicks, are almost certain to capture the East\u2019s No. 1 seed, barring a complete meltdown in the absence of injured Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung).<\/p>\n

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Who, exactly, those four teams will play in the opening round is entirely up for grabs, as just two wins separate the fifth seed from the 10th seed. The Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat are all jockeying for position down the stretch of a season that has surpassed 70 games.<\/p>\n

Technically, the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls are still alive for postseason contention, though they are locked in a different kind of race \u2014 one for lottery odds.<\/p>\n

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined<\/p>\n

Record: 52-19 | Net rating: 8.0 (2nd)<\/p>\n

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Remaining schedule: ATL, NOP, @MIN, @OKC, TOR, MIN, @PHI, @ORL, MIL, @CHA, @IND<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.<\/p>\n

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot<\/p>\n

Record: (47-24) | Net rating: 7.8 (3rd)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 2 seed: 11<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: OKC, ATL, @CHA, @ATL, @MIA, @MIL, TOR, CHA, @NYK, NOP, ORL<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.<\/p>\n

Record: 48-25 | Net rating: 6.8 (5th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 3 seed: 8<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @CHA, @OKC, @HOU, @MEM, CHI, @ATL, BOS, TOR, CHA<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.<\/p>\n

Record: 45-27 | Net rating: 4.3 (8th)<\/p>\n

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Magic number for No. 4 seed: 7<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: MIA, MIA, @UTA, @LAL, @GSW, IND, @MEM, ATL, @ATL, WAS<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 40-31 | Net rating: 2.0 (12th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 5 seed: 11<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @LAC, NOP, ORL, @DET, SAC, @MEM, @BOS, MIA, MIA, @NYK, BKN<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 40-32 | Net rating: 1.7 (13th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 6 seed: 9<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @DET, @BOS, SAC, BOS, @ORL, @BKN, NYK, @CLE, CLE, @MIA<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 39-33 | Net rating: -0.8 (19th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 7 seed: 10<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: CHI, @CHA, @MIA, @WAS, MIN, DET, @SAS, @HOU, @IND, MIL<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

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Record: 38-34 | Net rating: 0.7 (17th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 8 seed: Do not control own destiny<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: SAC, @TOR, PHX, ATL, @DAL, @NOP, DET, MIN, @CHI, @BOS<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 38-34 | Net rating: 4.7 (6th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 9 seed: 10<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: NYK, PHI, BOS, @BKN, PHX, IND, @MIN, @BOS, DET, @NYK<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 38-34 | Net rating: 2.4 (11th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 10 seed: 3<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @CLE, @CLE, @IND, PHI, BOS, WAS, @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Still technically alive<\/p>\n

Record: 29-42 | Net rating: -5.5 (25th)<\/p>\n

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Record: 29-42 | Net rating: -4.3 (23rd)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Whichever team finishes with a worse record will receive a 20.3% chance at a top-four pick and a 4.5% chance at the No. 1 pick. And whichever team finishes with a better record will get a 13.9% shot at top four and a 3% shot at No. 1.<\/p>\n

However, if the Bucks do ultimately land the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery \u2014 or any selection higher than the New Orleans Pelicans \u2014 it will convey to the Hawks.<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s games of consequence (all times Eastern)<\/p>\n

Hawks at Pistons, 7 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bulls at 76ers, 7 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Heat at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Bucks at Blazers, 10 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

WESTERN CONFERENCE<\/p>\n

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are bound for the top two seeds, with OKC holding a considerable lead for the league\u2019s No. 1 overall seed.<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Lakers, with their recent nine-game winning streak, moved in as heavy favorites to capture the conference\u2019s No. 3 seed. Beyond them is anyone\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n

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Zero losses separate the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, who are all but guaranteed the West\u2019s final three guaranteed playoff spots. Only one of those three teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

The conference\u2019s play-in tournament field is also all but set. The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors appear headed for the Nos. 7 and 10 seeds, respectively. And the L.A. Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers will duke it out for the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds.<\/p>\n

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined<\/p>\n

Record: 57-15 | Net rating: 11.1 (1st)<\/p>\n

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Remaining schedule: @BOS, CHI, NYK, DET, LAL, UTA, @LAL, @LAC, @DEN, PHX<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Record: 54-18 | Net rating: 7.7 (4th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 2 seed: 2<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @MEM, @MIL, CHI, @GSW, @LAC, @DEN, PHI, POR, DAL, DEN<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Western Conference semifinals.<\/p>\n

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot<\/p>\n

Record: 46-26 | Net rating: 1.2 (14th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 3 seed: 8<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @IND, BKN, WAS, CLE, @OKC, @DAL, OKC, @GSW, PHX, UTA<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 45-28 | Net rating: 4.4 (7th)<\/p>\n

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Magic number for No. 4 seed: 9<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: DAL, UTA, GSW, @UTA, SAS, POR, MEM, OKC, @SAS<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 44-28 | Net rating: 3.6 (10th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 5 seed: 10<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: HOU, DET, @DAL, @DET, @PHI, CHA, @IND, @ORL, @HOU, NOP<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 43-28 | Net rating: 4.0 (9th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 6 seed: 7<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @MIN, @MEM, @NOP, NYK, MIL, UTA, @GSW, @PHX, PHI, MIN, MIN<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 40-33 | Net rating: 1.0 (15th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 7 seed: 7<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: UTA, @MEM, @ORL, @CHA, @CHI, HOU, DAL, @LAL, @OKC<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 7 seed and home-court advantage against the No. 8 seed in their opening game of the play-in tournament.<\/p>\n

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Record: 36-36 | Net rating: 1.0 (16th)<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 8 seed: 9<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: TOR, @IND, @MIL, POR, SAS, @SAC, DAL, OKC, @POR, GSW<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 9 seed: 9<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: MIL, DAL, WAS, @LAC, NOP, @DEN, @SAS, LAC, SAC<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 10 seed: 3<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @DAL, BKN, WAS, @DEN, SAS, CLE, HOU, SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 10 seed and a berth in the play-in tournament.<\/p>\n

Still technically alive<\/p>\n

Record: 24-47 | Net rating: -3.8 (22nd)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Lottery odds!<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s games of consequence (all times Eastern)<\/p>\n

Lakers at Pacers, 7 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Thunder at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Spurs at Grizzlies, 8 p.m.<\/a>
MEM is eliminated from postseason contention with a loss or a GSW win<\/p>\n

Rockets at Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Mavericks at Nuggets, 10 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Nets at Warriors, 10 p.m.<\/a>
GSW is locked into the play-in tournament with a loss, a MEM loss and a HOU win<\/p>\n

Bucks at Blazers, 10 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n

Raptors at Clippers, 10:30 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":563801,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[7218,64,63,1664,19704,5670,2066,17603,1662,7214,268712,7220,69586,105277,5851,7223,4620,5665,590,7186,7210,1666,192049,12985,9688,7185,113276,4621,10549,85,277632,17602],"class_list":["post-563800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-atlanta-hawks","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-boston-celtics","tag-cade-cunningham","tag-charlotte-hornets","tag-chicago-bulls","tag-cleveland-cavaliers","tag-denver-nuggets","tag-detroit-pistons","tag-gsw","tag-houston-rockets","tag-l-a-clippers","tag-magic-number","tag-memphis-grizzlies","tag-miami-heat","tag-milwaukee-bucks","tag-minnesota-timberwolves","tag-nba","tag-nets","tag-new-orleans-pelicans","tag-new-york-knicks","tag-okc","tag-orlando-magic","tag-philadelphia-76ers","tag-phoenix-suns","tag-playoff-berth","tag-portland-trail-blazers","tag-san-antonio-spurs","tag-sports","tag-the-los-angeles-lakers","tag-toronto-raptors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/563800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=563800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/563800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/563801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=563800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=563800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=563800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}