NBA schedule full of playoff implications this week: Games to watch

Standings watch is under the microscope as the NBA approaches the end of the 2024-25 regular season.

First place in the NBA's Western Conference is locked up. The No. 1 seed belongs to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cleveland Cavaliers just about have the No. 1 seed in the East secured, and the Boston Celtics are headed for the No. 2 seed, and the New York Knicks the No. 3 seed in the East.

After that, playoff seeds in both conferences are up for grabs, including the No. 2 seed in the West. Just 2½ games separate second-place Houston from fifth-place Memphis as the week begins. Just 3½ games separate the fourth-place Los Angeles Lakers from the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers.

In the East, just two games separate fourth-place Indiana from sixth-place Detroit. Here are the must-see games to watch in the NBA this week:

Monday, March 24

Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass

Both these teams have been playing better recently, and both need every win they can get to try to inch up the standings.

Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m. ET, League Pass

The Nuggets are in a heated contest for the No. 2 seed in the West, and the ninth-place Bulls see a path to the eighth seed in the East.

Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV

Both teams need victories – the Bucks to obtain home-court advantage in the first round and the Suns to hold off Dallas for the final play-in game spot (10th place) in the West.

Tuesday, March 25

Golden State Warriors at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV, Max

Miami — losers of 10 of its last 11 games — is in something of a tailspin, but the Heat still are fighting for a play-in spot and this marks the return of Jimmy Butler to Miami.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV, Max

The Thunder have the No. 1 seed in the West locked up, but the slumping Kings are trying to hold onto a spot in the play-in game format.

Wednesday, March 26

Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Indiana has a pretty daunting stretch of its schedule coming up, so it cannot afford to lose games.

Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass

The Clippers start the week half a game back of the six seed in the West, the final spot with a guaranteed playoff berth.

Milwaukee Bucks at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m. ET, League Pass

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34).

Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nikola Jokic. They have won five of the past six MVPs. Playoff seeding on the line.

Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN

It’s a tough week for the Suns, playing four games against four postseason-bound teams. Is this their make-or-break week?

Thursday, March 27

Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass

This, admittedly isn't the most intriguing game, but it could be a preview of the first play-in game, with both teams currently in line to face each other.

Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder , 8 p.m. ET, League Pass

This could easily be a second-round matchup – regardless, this should be a fun game and a test for the Grizzlies.

Friday, March 28

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass

Both these teams are pretty secure in their spots in the standings, but this game presents an interesting test for this young Pistons team.

New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass

If the Bucks — currently the five-seed — are to catch the Knicks — currently the three-seed — this is a must-win game.

Phoenix Suns at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV

These two teams could meet in the play-in game format.

Saturday, March 29

Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass

This could also be a 4-5 matchup in the West playoffs, and yes, we welcome such a series.

Sunday, March 30

Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass

The Pistons, who are headed for a plus-.500 record for the first time since 2016, still have a shot at the No. 4 seed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA games to watch: Schedule full of playoff implications

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