National Basketball Association
published
Tuesday 8, 2023 2:13 PM EST
The race for one of the 16 spots in the 2023 NBA Playoffs is winding down with so many teams still in contention in the final weeks of the regular season.
Here’s what the playoffs would look like if the season ended today:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
FIRST TIME
1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Play-in number 8 winner
2. Boston Celtics vs. Play-in number 7 winner
3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets
4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. New York Knicks
ADVERTISING
PLAY-IN GAMES
7. Miami Heat vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks
The winner advances as the No. 7 seed; loser plays Raptors-Wizards winner for No. 8 seed.
9. Toronto Raptors vs. 10. Washington Wizards
Winner advances to an elimination game against Heat-Hawks loser for No. 8 seed; the loser is eliminated from the play-in tournament.
ON THE BUBBLE
11. Chicago Bulls: 2 GB game
12. Indiana Pacers: 2.5 GB game
13. Orlando Magic: 4 GB of game
Facing DISQUALIFICATION
14. Charlotte Hornets: 10.5 GB game
15. Detroit Pistons: 15 GB game
WESTERN CONFERENCE
FIRST TIME
1. Denver Nuggets vs. Play-in number 8 winner
2. Sacramento Kings vs Winner of Play-in #7
3. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 6. Golden State Warriors
4. Phoenix Suns vs. 5. Dallas Mavericks
PLAY-IN GAMES
7. The Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 8. LA Clippers
The winner advances as the No. 7 seed; loser plays Jazz-Pelicans winner for No. 8 seed.
9. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 10. New Orleans Pelicans
Winner advances to an elimination game against Mavericks-Timberwolves loser for No. 8 seed; the loser is eliminated from the play-in tournament.
ON THE BUBBLE
11. Oklahoma City Thunder — 0 GB game
12. Portland Trail Blazers: 0 GB game
13. Utah Jazz: 0.5 GB streaming
Facing DISQUALIFICATION
14. San Antonio Spurs: 15 GB game
15. Houston Rockets — 16 GB game
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