Nightly Playoffs Preview: Celtics snag sole possession of 8th; Suns, Nets gain ground

Every night from now through April 15, the end of the NBA regular season, theScore will bring you potential playoff matchups - and teams still in the mix to qualify - based on the final nightly standings.

Here's where things stand after March 21: 

Eastern Conference

• The Celtics took over sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference thanks to the Pacers' loss to the Nets, while the Raptors jumped up to third following the Bulls' embarrassing defeat to the Pistons. Chicago blew a 19-point lead and lost by 16.
• Don't look now, but Brooklyn's only one game out after pumping Indiana on Saturday. After a horrific Friday for Deron Williams, in which he was benched for much of the second half, the point guard stepped up on the second night of a back-to-back. The Nets are going to need him to play some inspired ball down the stretch. 
• We're one day closer to seeing LeBron James take on Dwyane Wade and his former Heat team in the first round.

In the Mix

• Despite their loss to the Nets, the Pacers, along with the Heat, are the two bubble teams with the best chances of making the playoffs. Indiana has a 61.9 percent shot at getting in, according to ESPN's playoff odds.
• The Nets' chances, while slim, improved to 13.3 percent. Brooklyn has a pair of huge games on the horizon, as it plays Boston on Monday before a Wednesday showdown versus Charlotte. 

Western Conference

• The Western Conference playoff picture remains unchanged from a night ago. 
• A pair of West juggernauts hooked up Saturday, with the Grizzlies topping the undermanned Trail Blazers. Portland lost both LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum to injuries.
• The Warriors won their fifth in a row and are three victories shy of tying the all-time franchise-best win mark of 59 set during the 1975-76 season.

In the Mix

• The Thunder have been able to withstand injury after injury, but the Pelicans likely aren't as deep enough to do the same. New Orleans, two games out with 13 contests remaining, needs All-Star Anthony Davis back. He's missed the last two games with an ankle injury and the Pelicans have dropped both. They get the Clippers, winners of three straight, on Sunday. 
• No Brandon Knight, no problem. The Suns moved to 4-1 since their prized deadline acquisition went down with an ankle sprain. Eric Bledsoe erupted for a career-high 34 points to lead Phoenix past the Rockets, and help the team gain a half-game on the Thunder.