If SAC loses, they will no longer be in contention for the No. 7 seed.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
5. Dallas Mavericks (50-30)
Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (47-33)
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The 76ers will host a magical game at 7 p.m.
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Maximum potential ranking: 3rd place (guaranteed to be at least 8th place).
- Own tiebreakers against: Magic
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Secured the 10th spot and will compete in a play-in game against the 9th seeded Chicago Bulls.
- Net rating: 1.4
- Own tiebreakers against: Lakers
7. Philadelphia 76ers (45-35)
- .
If NOP wins and PHX loses, they will secure a spot in the playoffs.
- Net rating: 2.0
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The Raptors and Heat will face off at 8 p.m.
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The Knicks and Pacers were both defeated in tiebreakers.
- , MEM, SAS
The remaining games are against Cleveland, Atlanta, Memphis, and San Antonio.
- NYK clinches a top-four seed with a win or an ORL loss
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Upcoming games: NOP, UTA
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Upcoming games: @SAC, @MIN
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The playoff berth requires a magic number to be reached, but the outcome is not in one’s control.
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“Securing a top-two seed is dependent on a specific number, not within one’s control.”
The number necessary to secure a spot in the playoffs is 1.
10. Atlanta Hawks (36-44)
Best possible placement: Third seed (assured not to be lower than eighth)
Important Friday games (in Eastern time)
“Loss combined with a CLE victory would eliminate ORL from the possibility of securing a top-four seed.”
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If NYK wins and either CLE loses or MIL wins, they secure a spot in the top three seeds.
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The number 9 is crucial for the No. 9 seed, but their fate is not in their own hands.
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The playoff berth requires a magic number and the outcome is not within our control.
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If NYK loses or MIL wins, they will no longer have a chance to secure the No. 2 seed.
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LAL will no longer be in the running for the No. 9 seed if they lose and both SAC and GSW win.
- No relevant tiebreakers
If SAC wins and LAL and GSW lose, then they secure a position in the top eight rankings.
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The Hawks and the Timberwolves will face off at 8 p.m.
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Upcoming games: Toronto, Toronto
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Best possible result: 1st place seed (guaranteed to be at least 3rd place)
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Upcoming games: @Philadelphia, vs Milwaukee
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The number that represents the No. 9 seed in a special way is 2.
- Net rating: 3.2
As the regular season of the NBA comes to a close on Sunday, the playoff picture is becoming more defined. Check out the most recent developments, including magic numbers, tiebreakers, and the significance of today’s games.
- Clinched playoff berth
- Net rating: 0.4
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Maximum potential rank: 6th seed (guaranteed to be at least 8th seed)
Potential top ranking: Second place (guaranteed at least seventh place)
Best possible ranking: Secured at least a No. 4 seed, but could potentially be as high as a No. 2 seed.
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- Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6
- Net rating: 2.6