NBA Standings 2018: Updated Playoff Picture, Bracket Heading into Final Games
Players often view the NBA regular season as a marathon, not a sprint, and we're headed into the final lap. How do the playoff brackets stack up in the first week of April?
The Eastern Conference doesn't have a clear-cut favorite for the No. 1 seed. The Boston Celtics still have a shot to catch the Toronto Raptors for home-court advantage on their side of the bracket. Did we crown the ballers up north too soon?
Behind the top two clubs in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers have an opportunity to knock the defending conference champions down a seeding peg in a late-season matchup.
We're expecting the Houston Rockets to win multiple playoff series. Assuming key players return to action relatively healthy, the Golden State Warriors will have success in the postseason. Which team should we keep an eye on as a potential dark horse to upset the favorites in the Western Conference?
Here are the current standings and playoffs seed positions.
Eastern Conference Standings
1. x-Toronto Raptors (55-21)
2. x-Boston Celtics (53-23)
3. x-Cleveland Cavaliers (47-30)
4. x-Philadelphia 76ers (46-30)
5. x-Indiana Pacers (46-31)
6. x-Washington Wizards (42-35)
7. Miami Heat (41-36)
8. Milwaukee Bucks (41-36)
9. Detroit Pistons (37-40)
10. Charlotte Hornets (34-44)
11. New York Knicks (27-50)
12. Chicago Bulls (26-51)
13. Brooklyn Nets (25-52)
14. Orlando Magic (22-54)
15. Atlanta Hawks (22-55)
Western Conference Standings
1. z-Houston Rockets (62-15)
2. y-Golden State Warriors (56-21)
3. x-Portland Trail Blazers (48-29)
4. San Antonio Spurs (45-32)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (45-33)
6. Utah Jazz (44-33)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (44-34)
8. New Orleans Pelicans (43-34)
9. Denver Nuggets (42-35)
10. Los Angeles Clippers (41-36)
11. Los Angeles Lakers (33-43)
12. Sacramento Kings (25-53)
13. Dallas Mavericks (23-54)
14. Memphis Grizzlies (21-56)
15. Phoenix Suns (19-59)
*x-Indicates team clinched a playoff spot
*y-Indicates team clinched a division title
*z-indicates team clinched a conference title
Boston Celtics Set to Push Toronto Raptors for No. 1 Seed
Guard Kyrie Irving hasn't stepped foot on the court since his early exit against the Indiana Pacers March 11 due to a left knee injury. After seeking a second opinion, he opted for a minimally-invasive procedure to remove a tension wire:
As Irving recovers on a three-to-six week timetable, the Celtics have excelled in his absence, winning their last six contests. Despite losing his lead guard and some role players, head coach Brad Stevens has pulled together healthy bodies on the roster to remain in contention for the top seed in the East.
The Celtics have another game against the Raptors after coming out on top against them in a 110-99 victory Saturday. The two squads will square off for the fourth time Wednesday. Boston leads the season series 2-1.
Toronto holds the second-best home record in the league. Home-court advantage could mean the difference between another disappointing playoff exit and an edge in a full seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Surging Philadelphia Sixers Press for No. 3 Seed
Who saw the Sixers with the No. 4 seed and six games left to play in the regular season?
It's more impressive when considering the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft has only played seven games. Ben Simmons, the previous year's top selection, put this team on his back along with Joel Embiid, who could return in two weeks after undergoing surgery on an orbital fracture, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:
The Sixers have the longest active win streak, which spans 10 games, and they're looking at a less challenging schedule down the stretch. Among their six opponents, only two have winning records.
Circle Friday's contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers because it's an outcome that may weigh heavily in deciding the No. 3 seed. The defending Eastern Conference champions hold a 2-1 edge over Philadelphia.
Will Simmons shine against LeBron James and a Cavaliers team that's found its way as of late, winning eight of their last 10 contests?
Western Conference Team to Watch: Utah Jazz
After losing Gordon Hayward to the Celtics during free agency, many expected the Utah Jazz to fade in rebuild mode. Instead, it's a team in the thick of the playoff race holding the No. 6 seed in a fiercely-competitive conference.
Defensively, the Jazz rank second in points allowed (100.1). Six players average double-digit point totals. Rookie Donovan Mitchell logged his ninth consecutive 20-point performance and leads the team in scoring for the season at 20.3:
It's a balanced club that filled Hayward's scoring void with an impact rookie and continues to play hard-nosed defense. Despite the fluidity in seeding, expect the Jazz to clinch a spot and battle for consecutive playoff series victories under head coach Quin Snyder.
As of April 2, the Jazz would match up against the Portland Trail Blazers who also deserve some spotlight as a team to watch out West. A seven-game series between these squads could give NBA fans the best first-round series in this year's playoff picture.
