Playoff scenario

The NBA post season is three weeks away. The top six teams in both conferences are assured of playoff spots while 7 to 10 teams in the standings will enter the play-in tournament (April 15-18), with the two remaining teams in each conference getting into the eight-team playoff field.

The first round of the playoffs begins on April 19 (Easter Sunday, April 20 PH time).

In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched the top seed and it is clear who the next five teams are - the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons.

The Oklahoma City Thunder is the number one seed in the WC, but the second seed is still a tight race between the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, LA Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, which are all within 2 games of each other.   The Golden State Warriors is 1 and ½ game ahead of the LA Clippers and they will be fighting for the sixth spot.

It will be a tight race for the play-in with the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trailblazers within breathing distance of the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves.   Out of the running are the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Cavs, who were the 4th seed last season, hope to repeat their 2016 title but the Celtics are also gunning for their record 19th NBA title.  Boston now owns the league’s active playoff streak of 11 seasons.

The last time the Knicks reached the conference finals was in 2000.  They had advanced to the conference semis the past two seasons.  Jalen Brunson should be ready and must have recovered from his ankle injury.  The Bucks this time will try to avoid their two consecutive first round exit.  The Pacers reached the conference finals last season and will try to do the same this postseason.  At 14-68 last season, the Pistons had the worst record in franchise history, and they hope to make a deep playoff run.

Dating back to their days in Seattle, OKC got the top seed for the 6th time in franchise history.   They were eliminated by Dallas in the semis last season.  Houston and Denver are still locked in the battle for the 2nd seed.  Nikola Jokic, who’s nursing an assortment of injuries, is listed as day-to-day.

The Lakers, despite their marquee stars, are having major defensive lapses and unless corrected, these could hurt their post season run.  Memphis, aside from Ja Morant, had found great contribution from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson, Jr. and this could be a factor for their playoff seeding.

Jimmy Butler had been impressive with GSW and their developing chemistry with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green could solidify their hold on WC’s 6th playoff spot.