NBA Playoff Standings 2016: Latest Records, Postseason Scenarios and Predictions

With the 2015-16 NBA regular season reaching its latter stages, the playoff picture is clearer than ever, although there is still potential for movement down the stretch.

In addition to the battle for the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference, both conferences feature some intriguing races when it comes to seeding. The top two spots in the East and top four positions in the West are locked in. However, the middle and bottom portion of the playoff standings could still change significantly.

As the excitement of postseason basketball draws closer, here is a full rundown of the current standings, along with clinching scenarios and predictions regarding the race for eighth in the West.

NBA Playoff Standings

Eastern Conference	W	L	GB
Western Conference	W	L	GB
In The Hunt	W	L	GB
1. Cleveland Cavaliers	57	24	-
2. Toronto Raptors	54	26	2.5
3. Atlanta Hawks	48	33	9
4. Miami Heat	47	33	9.5
5. Boston Celtics	47	34	10
6. Charlotte Hornets	47	34	10
7. Indiana Pacers	43	37	13.5
8. Detroit Pistons	43	37	13.5
1. Golden State Warriors	72	9	-
2. San Antonio Spurs	65	15	6.5
3. Oklahoma City Thunder	55	26	17
4. Los Angeles Clippers	52	28	19.5
5. Portland Trail Blazers	43	38	29
6. Memphis Grizzlies	42	38	29.5
7. Dallas Mavericks	42	39	30
8. Houston Rockets	40	41	32
9. Utah Jazz	40	41	32

NBA Playoff Scenarios

Position	Teams	Tiebreaker
Eastern Conference No. 3 seed through No. 6 seed	ATL, MIA, BOS, CHA	ATL over BOS & CHA, BOS over CHA & MIA, MIA over ATL & CHA
Eastern Conference No. 7 seed	IND & DET	IND over DET
Western Conference No. 5 seed through No. 7 seed	POR, MEM, DAL	POR over MEM, DAL over MEM & POR
Western Conference No. 8 seed	HOU & UTAH	HOU over UTAH

NBA Playoff Prediction

Rockets Over Jazz

The 2015-16 season has been an unexpected struggle for the Houston Rockets, but with just one game left to play, they have a golden opportunity to qualify for the postseason,

As pointed out by ESPN's John Buccigross, the Rockets control their own destiny over the Utah Jazz for the Western Conference's No. 8 seed:

Both Houston and Utah should win their final games with clashes against non-playoff teams in the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, but Mike Prada of SBNation isn't convinced that the up-and-down Rockets will be able to close the deal:

Houston has won each of its past two games, however, while Utah has faltered and lost three of its past four contests.

Rockets head coach J.B. Bickerstaff discussed his team's mettle following their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:

"

The guys have been fighting. You hear the conversations, the commitment to it. They want to make it happen. All the ups and downs throughout the year, there have been moments people could have been like 'the heck with it.' I don't feel that way. I feel like no matter what's happened, no matter what adversity we fought, we find a way to come back and do what we have to do the next night.

"

Houston will face the NBA's No. 3 offensive team in terms of points per game in the form of the Kings, which is far from an easy victory. Sacramento has little to play for, though, and superstar guard James Harden has put the Rockets on his back as of late.

The Jazz should be able to take down the Lakers even in the face of the emotion that will surround Kobe Bryant's final game, but Houston will render that moot by beating Sacramento and sealing the eighth seed by virtue of a better conference record than Utah.

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