The NBA regular season is coming to a close tonight, but the playoff picture still isn’t completely clear. Here’s what we know:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Detroit is the #1 seed. In the first round, they’ll play either the Wizards or the Magic, depending on what happens tonight. (Right now, Orlando is in the #8 slot, but could move up to #7 with a win over the Heat and a Wizards loss.)
Either the Bulls (who play the Wizards) or the Cavs (who play the Bucks) will be the #2 seed. The other team will be the #5 seed. The two teams are currently tied, but the Bulls hold the tiebreaker (a better division record). The Cavs need a win and Bulls loss to claim the #2 seed.
Toronto is the #3 seed and will play either the Nets or the Wizards in the first round. The Nets hold the tiebreaker, so if they beat the Bulls tonight, they’ll get the #6 seed.
Miami is the #4 seed. They’ll play either the Bulls or the Cavs, but won’t have home court advantage. (A lot of people – including me – wrote the Heat off after Dwyane Wade’s injury. What they’ve done since then has been pretty remarkable.)
No matter what happens tonight, Detroit should have a very interesting matchup in the second round against the Heat, Bulls or Cavs. The Pistons are the favorites to come out of the East, but Chicago, Miami or Cleveland could make a run. Toronto is the dark horse.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas has wrapped up the #1 seed. They’ll play the Warriors, Lakers or Clippers. If the Warriors win, they’re in. If they lose and the Clippers win, the Clippers are in since they hold the division tiebreaker. If there were a three-way tie (including the Lakers), the Lakers and Clippers would be in since they have better head-to-head records than the Warriors. Golden State plays in Portland tonight while the Clippers have the Hornets at home.
The #2-seeded Suns will play either the Lakers or the Warriors. If the Lakers lose and the Warriors win, Golden State will get the #7 seed.
San Antonio is the #3 seed and will play the #6-seeded Nuggets.
Utah is the #4 seed, but will surrender home court to the #5-seeded Rockets.
As usual, the playoffs in the West are far more intriguing than those in the East. (That’s what happens when five of the league’s top six teams are in one conference.) Dallas should be tested by the winner of the grueling Utah/Houston series, while the Suns/Spurs second round matchup promises to be a clash of styles.
As much as I’d like to see a Mavs/Suns matchup in the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs are a very dangerous team. In the end, I think the #1 seeds will prevail in both conferences and we’ll see a Mavs/Pistons final, with the Mavs winning the title.
It’s tough to bet against the Spurs though.
