Six biggest questions about the NBA’s playoff picture

We have reached the top recreation for the 2023-24 NBA common season. Each crew has 10 video games (or much less) remaining, and loads of playoff spots nonetheless must be solidified.

Listed here are the six most urgent questions surrounding the league because the common season approaches its conclusion on Sunday, April 14.

Can the Knicks catch the Bucks for No. 2 within the East?

Not way back, the Bucks appeared to have No. 2 on lock. 

That modified because the Knicks went 8-2 over their final 10 video games whereas the Bucks have been 5-5, pulling New York inside two video games of Milwaukee. 

Each groups have 10 video games remaining within the common season, together with a recreation in opposition to one another on April 7. Per Tankathon, the Knicks’ remaining schedule is the ninth-toughest within the league, and the Bucks’ is twelfth.

Which of the Pacers, Warmth or 76ers, avoids the play-in event?

Indiana, Miami and Philadelphia are separated by only one.5 video games within the standings, and so they could possibly be even nearer if referees didn’t botch the ending of Wednesday’s Clippers-76ers recreation. The Pacers and Warmth are tied within the loss column (33), whereas the Sixers have 34 losses with 9 video games remaining.

Miami has one recreation left with each groups, and Indiana received its regular-season collection in opposition to Philadelphia, 2-1. Basketball Reference likes the Pacers to hold on to sixth place, giving them a 48.3 p.c probability of avoiding the play-in event.

Who will get the West’s No. 1? 

The defending champion Nuggets are hanging on to No. 1 by a thread. Denver’s lead atop the convention shrunk to 0.5 video games over each the Timberwolves and Thunder following its 104-97 loss to the Suns on Wednesday. Oklahoma Metropolis received its season collection with the Nuggets, 3-1, whereas Minnesota break up its first two video games at house with the West’s chief and have two video games remaining, together with on Friday night time. 

Per Basketball Reference, Minnesota (39.3 p.c) has the perfect odds of ending atop the Western Convention standings, adopted by the Thunder (31 p.c). Denver is probably to complete third (35.8 p.c).

Will the Clippers hold on to home-court benefit within the first spherical?

The Pelicans blew a chance to drag even with the Clippers for fourth place with their house 119-112 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. They seem to be a recreation behind the Clippers however may not be the most important risk to Los Angeles for the West’s No. 4. The Mavericks have received 5 in a row, are two video games behind the Clippers and rank twenty second in remaining energy of schedule. 

New Orleans (eighth) and Los Angeles (eleventh) have rather more difficult slates, and Dallas can be taking part in a few of its finest basketball of the season. Over their last 10 games, the Mavericks have outscored their opponents by 13.2 factors per recreation. They have been notably efficient defensively, rating second in defensive score.

Are the playoff paths for the Suns and Kings set in stone?

With Dallas hitting its stride, Phoenix and Sacramento may need hit their ceiling. Whereas each are probably headed to the play-in event, it is untimely to recommend each will make it to the 7-8 play-in recreation. Both crew may fall.

The Lakers have received 5 in a row and are averaging 130.2 factors per recreation during that span. They’re only one.5 video games behind the Kings for the eighth-seeded and two behind the Suns for seventh place. Just like the Mavericks, they’ve a extra favorable remaining schedule than the groups they’re chasing.

Los Angeles nonetheless has 4 video games left in opposition to groups with a dropping document, whereas Phoenix’s remaining 9 opponents are above .500. The Kings have three video games in opposition to lottery-bound groups however have the fourth-hardest remaining schedule general.

Are the Warriors in peril of lacking the play-in event?

It has been a wild March for Houston. Earlier than its present 10-game win streak, Houston was 27-35 and 6 video games behind Golden State for tenth place and the ultimate spot within the West’s play-in event. With each groups having 10 video games remaining, the Warriors’ lead is down to 1 recreation.

Since the All-Star break, solely the Celtics and Nuggets have a greater document than the Rockets. Guard Jalen Inexperienced has been sensational during the stretch, rating second within the league in factors per recreation (29.8) whereas capturing 51 p.c from the sector.

Given the Rockets’ current efficiency, Golden State needs to be panicked about probably ending outdoors the highest 10.