NBA Regular Season Finale: What’s at Stake?
As we approach the final day of the NBA regular season, the excitement is palpable. With 81 games already played by each team, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion. Despite the 1,215 games that have unfolded, several playoff and lottery positions remain undecided. This Sunday, all 30 teams will hit the court for their 82nd and final game, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For some teams, this marks the beginning of the offseason, a time to reflect and strategize for the future. They’ll be eagerly awaiting the NBA draft lottery on May 12, hoping for a favorable outcome. For others, it’s the start of a hopeful journey through the playoffs, with dreams of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in two months’ time.
Let’s dive into what’s at stake as the regular season wraps up, starting with the unpredictable Western Conference:
Western Conference
Who’s locked in?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Houston Rockets
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The Thunder have secured the top spot in both the conference and the NBA, guaranteeing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. A win against New Orleans on Sunday would make them the seventh team in NBA history to achieve at least 68 wins in a season.
The Rockets have also locked in their position at second place, ensuring home-court advantage for the first two rounds. Their impressive season has been one of the league’s biggest surprises.
After defeating Houston on Friday, the Lakers are locked into the third seed. They, like the Thunder and Rockets, await the resolution of the lower seeds in the West.
What’s left to be decided
In short: everything else!
4. Denver Nuggets
5. LA Clippers- 6. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 7. Golden State Warriors
- 8. Memphis Grizzlies
- 9. Sacramento Kings, 10. Dallas Mavericks
Denver controls its destiny. A win against the Rockets will secure home-court advantage in the first round.
5. The Clippers face a tough challenge against the Warriors. A win could place them fourth, while a loss might push them into the play-in tournament.
6. Despite a recent setback, the Timberwolves can secure a top-six spot with a win over the Utah Jazz.
7. The Warriors need a win to guarantee a top-six finish. They can’t fall below seventh, ensuring at least a home play-in game.
8. Memphis needs help to move up from eighth. They will either travel to Golden State or host Minnesota in the play-in.
The Kings control their destiny for the 9-10 play-in matchup. A win over Phoenix or a Dallas loss will secure a home game for Sacramento.
Eastern Conference
What’s locked in:
Remarkably, all 10 spots in the East postseason are set:
- 1. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2. Boston Celtics
- 3. New York Knicks
- 4. Indiana Pacers
- 5. Milwaukee Bucks
- 6. Detroit Pistons
- 7. Orlando Magic
- 8. Atlanta Hawks
- 9. Chicago Bulls
- 10. Miami Heat
Draft Lottery Standings
1/2. Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards
Both teams are tied for the league’s worst record at 17-64. A coin flip will determine their draft order if neither moves up in the lottery.
- 3. Charlotte Hornets
- 4. New Orleans Pelicans
- 5. Philadelphia 76ers
- 6. Brooklyn Nets
- 7. Toronto Raptors
- 8. San Antonio Spurs
Philadelphia is locked into the fifth spot, keeping its top-six protected first-round pick unless multiple teams jump them in the lottery.
9/10. Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns
A coin flip will determine their draft order if both teams lose on the final day. Phoenix’s pick is controlled by the Houston Rockets.
11. Miami Heat
The Heat are set in the 11th lottery spot, with no incentive to win against Washington.
- 12. Chicago Bulls
- 13. Atlanta Hawks
- 14. Dallas Mavericks
- 15. Sacramento Kings
The Kings owe their pick to the Hawks if it lands outside the top 12. A win against the Suns could impact their draft position.
16. Orlando Magic
Originally Written by: Tim Bontemps
