The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 13. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, strength of schedule, relevant tiebreakers and the stakes for every day's slate of games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (62-12)
• Clinched No. 1 seed and first-round playoff series vs. No. 8 seed (determined by play-in tournament)
2. Houston Rockets (49-26)
• Net rating: 5.2
• Magic number for top-six seed: 2
• Remaining strength of schedule: .577
• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)
3. Denver Nuggets (47-28)
• Net rating: 4.1
• Magic number for top-six seed: 4
• Remaining strength of schedule: .556
• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)
4. Los Angeles Lakers (45-29)
• Net rating: 0.7
• Magic number for top-six seed: 5
• Remaining strength of schedule: .595
• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)
5. Memphis Grizzlies (44-30)
• Net rating: 4.9
• Magic number for top-six seed: 7
•
Topics in this Story