NBA Playoffs 2015: Known Dates, Bracket Format and Updated Postseason Picture
There's just one day of regular-season play remaining in the NBA, and there's still a battle raging for the last playoff spot in both conferences. There's also still some jockeying for seeding in the middle of the conference.
Looking ahead to the wild Wednesday in store for NBA fans, here's a look at the current standings in both conferences.
| 1 | Golden State Warriors* | 66 | 15 | - |
| 2 | Los Angeles Clippers | 56 | 26 | 10.5 |
| 3 | San Antonio Spurs | 55 | 26 | 11 |
| 4 | Portland Trail Blazers* | 51 | 30 | 15 |
| 5 | Houston Rockets* | 55 | 26 | 11 |
| 6 | Memphis Grizzlies* | 54 | 27 | 12 |
| 7 | Dallas Mavericks* | 49 | 32 | 17 |
| 8 | New Orleans Pelicans | 44 | 37 | 22 |
| In the Hunt | ||||
| 9 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 44 | 37 | 22 |
| 1 | Atlanta Hawks* | 60 | 21 | - |
| 2 | Cleveland Cavaliers* | 42 | 29 | 8 |
| 3 | Chicago Bulls* | 49 | 32 | 11 |
| 4 | Toronto Raptors* | 48 | 33 | 12 |
| 5 | Washington Wizards* | 46 | 35 | 14 |
| 6 | Milwaukee Bucks* | 41 | 40 | 19 |
| 7 | Boston Celtics* | 39 | 42 | 21 |
| 8 | Indiana Pacers | 38 | 43 | 22 |
| In the Hunt | ||||
| 9 | Brooklyn Nets | 37 | 44 | 23 |
Bracket and Matchups
There are still a few things to be hashed out on Wednesday, but here's what each postseason matchup would be if the season ended on Tuesday night:
| Team 1 | Team 2 |
| (1) Atlanta Hawks | (8) Indiana Pacers |
| (2) Cleveland Cavaliers | (7) Boston Celtics |
| (3) Chicago Bulls | (6) Milwaukee Bucks |
| (4) Toronto Raptors | (5) Washington Wizards |
| Team 1 | Team 2 |
| (1) Golden State Warriors | (8) Oklahoma City Thunder |
| (2) Los Angeles Clippers | (7) Dallas Mavericks |
| (3) San Antonio Spurs | (6) Memphis Grizzlies |
| (4) Portland Trail Blazers | (5) Houston Rockets |
Wednesday's Most Compelling Games
If the Indiana Pacers win, they'll clinch the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and earn a first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks. Indy is on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies in what is obviously not the easiest game on paper.
The Pacers pulled out a hard-fought win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night to set up this opportunity. The game went into double overtime before the Pacers prevailed, 99-95. Afterward, head coach Frank Vogel voice his pride and respect for his team via the Pacers' official Twitter account:
Indy has won six in a row. Another win would put Atlanta on notice for what could an excellent first-round series. The two teams met in last year's postseason in reverse circumstances, as the Pacers were the top seed with Atlanta eighth.
If the Pacers lose, they can still make the playoffs, but need the Brooklyn Nets to lose at home to the Orlando Magic.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in the same situation as the Pacers. A win over the San Antonio Spurs would give the Pelicans their first postseason experience since rebranding.
New Orleans has taken two of three from the Spurs during the regular season, but San Antonio is a different team now than it was months ago. San Antonio has won 11 in a row and is playing its best basketball of the year.
Much like the Pacers, the Pelicans also have a team on their heels. The Oklahoma City Thunder can steal the spot if they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Spurs take down the Pelicans. Russell Westbrook has been a man on a mission, averaging 45 points per game in his last two contests.
Against a poor defensive team like the T-Wolves, Westbrook should have a fine game. However, as ESPN Stats & Info notes, that doesn't often translate into a win for the Thunder.
I'm sure Westbrook will take the W however it comes. Although the Pelicans are playing better basketball, there's something intriguing about the possibility of seeing Westbrook go head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry for at least four games.
At any rate, buckle up for an explosive final day of the regular season.
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