As the season winds down and most teams have less than 10 games before the end of the season, it’s time to take a look at the NBA playoff picture. 

It is this time of the year where teams are in three places: they have already clinched (guaranteed) a spot in the playoffs, already eliminated from the playoffs or battling for one of the final few spots. Let’s take a look at the Eastern and Western conference playoff situations. Click ‘Read More and Comment’ to continue reading.

East:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-22) – Clinched
2. Toronto Raptors (49-24) – Clinched
3. Atlanta Hawks (45-30) Clinched
4. Miami Heat (43-30)
5. Boston Celtics (43-31)
6. Charlotte Hornets (43-31)
7. Detroit Pistons (40-35)
8. Indiana Pacers (39-35)

Chicago Bulls (37-37)

Washington Wizards(36-38)

With three teams having clinched playoff spots several teams are following close behind. The Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets are all within two games of clinching their spot in the playoffs where as the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards are all battling for the final the two spots. This is the time of the year where teams are made or broken, where teams are tested to see if they have it in them to battle out these last few games for a shot at the NBA championship. Note: The following teams have already been eliminated: Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and, Philadelphia 76ers.

West:

1. Golden State Warriors (67-7) – Clinched
2. San Antonio Spurs (62-12) – Clinched
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (52-23) – Clinched
4. Los Angeles Clippers (46-27) – Clinched
5. Memphis Grizzlies (41-33)
6. Portland Trail Blazers (39-36)
7. Utah Jazz (37-37)
8. Houston Rockets (37-38)

 Dallas Mavericks (36-38)

Denver Nuggets (31-44)

Sacramento Kings (29-45)

The Western conference is slightly different in terms of team success then the Eastern conference with the three-powerhouse teams that are the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder all clinching playoff spots along with the less dominant but still strong Los Angeles Clippers. The Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings are still technically vying for a playoff spot but are both within 3 losses of being eliminated compared to 10 wins to make it the playoffs. The real battle is between the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks who are within three games of each other and something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. Note: The following teams have already been eliminated:  New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers.

To check the standings with full statistics click here.

Note: All team records are up-to-date as of 3/30/16 and do not reflect team’s final records.

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