2023 NBA Playoff Picture: How first-round matchups are shaping up

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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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