Nightly Playoffs Preview: Warriors clinch No.1 seed in West, Kanter's Thunder lose to Jazz
Cary Edmondson / USA TODAY Sports
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 28:
Eastern Conference
Matchup | Home | Visitor |
---|---|---|
1 vs. 8 | Z - Hawks | Celtics |
2 vs. 7 | X - Cavaliers | Heat |
3 vs. 6 | X - Bulls | Bucks |
4 vs. 5 | Y - Raptors | Wizards |
- The Hawks gifted the Hornets with a win by sitting out their entire starting five. To be fair, Atlanta had just clinched the top record in the East on Friday with 2 Chainz in the building, so it was a well-deserved rest.
- The Bulls demolished the Knicks which sets a new franchise-low in New York.
- The Bucks lost to the Warriors, but they're basically locked into the sixth seed so it's not a big deal.
In the Mix
Team | Games Behind |
---|---|
Nets | 0.5 |
Pacers | 1 |
Hornets | 1 |
- Not much movement along the Eastern front. The Hornets beat up on the shorthanded Hawks, so they're knocking at the doorstep, along with the Pacers and Nets.
- Help might be on the way for Indiana. Paul George told reporters that he's passed all the tests.
Western Conference
Matchup | Home | Visitor |
---|---|---|
1 vs. 8 | Y - Warriors | Thunder |
2 vs. 7 | X - Grizzlies | Mavericks |
3 vs. 6 | X - Rockets | Spurs |
4 vs. 5 | Trail Blazers | X - Clippers |
- The Warriors clinched the top spot in the West with their 60th win of the year. Related: Steve Kerr's other suitor last summer was the Knicks, who set a franchise-low with their 60th loss. Good call, Stevie.
- The Thunder lost their Enes Kanter-themed grudge match against the Jazz on Saturday. Kanter dropped 18 and 11 in the loss and for his efforts, he was booed during the game and was sicked-burned by Trevor Booker after the game.
- LaMarcus Aldridge lead the Blazers with 32 points and 11 rebounds in their victory over the Denver Nuggets. Portland's magic number to clinch a playoff berth is down to one and can clinch Sunday with a New Orleans loss.
In the Mix
Team | Games Behind |
---|---|
Pelicans | 2.5 |
Suns | 3 |