Updated 2013-14 NBA Playoff Picture: Saturday, March 29

While the highlight of Saturday night in the NBA might have been the Philadelphia 76ers breaking their record-tying 26-game losing streak, there was also some action among the league's upper class.

The San Antonio Spurs made a bit of history themselves, tying a franchise record with their 17th straight win.

In Houston, the Los Angeles Clippers overcame the loss of Blake Griffin (back spasms) to beat a Rockets team missing Patrick Beverley (knee) and Dwight Howard (ankle). The Clippers solidified their grasp on the No. 3 seed in the West, while the Rockets might be facing those red-hot Spurs in the second round.

The Atlanta Hawks, meanwhile, continue to prove that no team really deserves the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by losing their sixth game in a row.

Team	Win-Loss	Winning Percentage	Games Back	Conference Record
Indiana	52-21	.712	-	35-10
Miami	49-22	.690	1.5	29-14
Toronto	41-31	.569	10.5	26-17
Chicago	40-32	.556	11.5	28-16
Brooklyn	38-33	.535	13	22-21
Washington	38-35	.521	14	26-16
Charlotte	35-38	.479	17	22-21
Atlanta	31-41	.431	20.5	21-21
New York	30-43	.417	22	21-24
Cleveland	29-45	.392	23.5	17-27
Detroit	26-47	.356	26	20-24
Boston	23-49	.319	28.5	19-24
Orlando	21-52	.288	31	16-28
Philadelphia	16-57	.219	36	11-33
Milwaukee	14-59	.192	38	11-32

Clinched: Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards

Still Fighting for Postseason Berth: (according to Hollinger's 2013-14 Playoff Odds)

Charlotte Bobcats:  99.9 percent

Atlanta Hawks: 90.1 percent  

New York Knicks: 6.5 percent

Cleveland Cavaliers: 3.4 percent

Detroit Pistons: 0.2 percent

Eliminated from Contention: Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks

If Playoffs Started Today

Indiana vs. Atlanta (Indiana leads season series 2-1)

Miami vs. Charlotte (Miami won season series 4-0)

Toronto vs. Washington (Toronto won season series 3-1)

Chicago vs. Brooklyn (Chicago leads season series 2-1)

Team	Win-Loss	Winning Percentage	Games Back	Conference Record
San Antonio	57-16	.781	-	34-10
Oklahoma City	52-19	.732	3.5	30-13
L.A. Clippers	52-22	.703	5.5	31-13
Houston	49-23	.681	7.5	26-18
Portland	47-27	.635	10.5	24-20
Golden State	45-27	.625	11.5	25-18
Phoenix	44-29	.603	13	24-19
Memphis	43-29	.597	13.5	24-20
Dallas	44-30	.595	13.5	24-20
Minnesota	36-35	.507	20	20-25
New Orleans	32-41	.438	25	13-30
Denver	32-41	.438	25	16-27
Sacramento	25-48	.342	32	12-31
L.A. Lakers	24-48	.333	32.5	12-30
Utah	23-50	.315	34	11-33

Clinched: San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, L.A. Clippers, Houston Rockets

Still Fighting for Postseason Berth: (according to Hollinger's 2013-14 Playoff Odds)

Portland Trail Blazers: 99.6 percent

Golden State Warriors: 99.6 percent

Memphis Grizzlies: 77.0 percent

Dallas Mavericks: 62.7 percent

Phoenix Suns: 61.0 percent

 

Eliminated from Contention: Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, L.A. Lakers, Utah Jazz

 

If Playoffs Started Today

San Antonio vs. Memphis (San Antonio leads season series 3-0)

Oklahoma City vs. Phoenix (season series tied 1-1)

L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State (season series tied 2-2)

Houston vs. Portland (Houston won season series 3-1)

 

Unanswered Questions

1. Are the Atlanta Hawks lucky or unlucky?

The Atlanta Hawks have been decimated by injury this season. First, they lost All-Star center Al Horford for the season, though they still managed to hang on in the lackluster Eastern Conference playoff race.

The additional loss of shooting guard Kyle Korver, however, has sent the team into a late-season tailspin. Saturday's 101-97 loss to the Washington Wizards was the team's sixth in a row. The Hawks appear to be a snakebitten team. 

Or are they? No matter how many games they lose, the Hawks might just hold onto the eighth seed. The teams behind them, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, are just that bad. Despite its misfortune in the injury department, Atlanta might just back its way into the postseason.

Of course, general manager Danny Ferry does not appear satisfied with that eighth seed, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore:

Sorry, Mr. Ferry, but the eighth seed is about all your team is going to get this season. And they will be lucky to get it.

 

2. Is four greater than three?

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets, 118-107, in a game that held major implications in the Western Conference standings. Los Angeles came into Saturday one game up on Houston, but tied in the all-important loss column. Now, the Clippers are two games up in the race for the No. 3 seed.

But who is the real winner? As of Saturday, the Clippers are locked into a first-round date with the Golden State Warriors, who have played them tough this season. The Rockets, meanwhile, would play the Portland Trail Blazers, who were struggling mightily prior to winning their last two games.

Then there is the second round to consider. The Clippers would be matched up with the No. 2 seed Oklahoma City Thunder and MVP favorite Kevin Durant, while Houston would draw the No. 1 seed Spurs, winners of 17 straight.

While the Spurs might not have an MVP candidate, they are the most balanced team in the league at the moment. Per B/R's Andy Bailey: "During their 17-game win streak, the Spurs have nine players (yes, nine) averaging between 8.2 and 14.6 points. They also have eight players averaging at least two assists."

Talk about a classic case of "pick your poison."

 

3. Are the Dallas Mavericks playing with fire?

The Dallas Mavericks climbed into a virtual tie with the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies on the strength of Saturday's 103-100 win over the lowly Sacramento Kings.

But it did not come easy.

The Mavericks jumped out to a 17-point lead midway through the second quarter but let Sacramento climb back into the game with a 28-18 run in the third. The Kings actually held an 89-84 lead before a Jose Calderon three and some free throws from Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion put the Mavs ahead for good.

Dallas is already at a disadvantage against the Grizzlies, who have played two fewer games and have one fewer loss. The Mavs will play their final game of the season at Memphis.

In short, a team in such a precarious position can not afford to mess around with a downtrodden club like Sacramento.