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All 30 NBA teams are in action tonight, then every team is off on Saturday, then Sunday is one final shakeout day. With that said, there are a lot of scenarios that will play out today. Here is what you need to know.
Playoff Scenarios
Eastern Conference
• Boston can secure the No. 2 seed (and the Atlantic Division crown, if we care about that) with New Orleans or a New York loss to Toronto.
• New York secures no lower than the No. 3 seed with a win over Toronto or a Cleveland loss to Atlanta.
• Toronto can clinch a top-six playoff spot with a win over the Knicks, and if Atlanta and Orlando also lose than the Raptors lock into the No. 5 seed.
• Atlanta clinches a top-six playoff spot with a win over Cleveland (or losses by Orlando and Charlotte).
• Charlotte becomes locked into the play-in with a loss to Detroit.
• Orlando becomes locked into the play-in with a loss to Chicago or wins by Atlanta and Toronto.
• Philadelphia is locked into the play-in with a loss to Indiana or a Toronto win over New York
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Western Conference
• Denver can lock in as the No. 3 seed with a win over Oklahoma City and a Lakers loss to the Suns.
• The Los Angeles Lakers can lock in no lower than the No. 4 seed with a win against Phoenix and a Houston loss to Minnesota.
• The LA Clippers can secure the No. 8 seed with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Games to Watch
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Both teams want this one and both teams come in playing well. Cleveland still has a slim chance at passing the Knicks for the No. 3 seed (the Raptors would have to win out and the Knicks lose out). This game matters more to the Hawks, who can still finish anywhere from fifth to eighth in the East, but with a win over Cleveland secures itself a top-six spot and avoiding the play-in at least.
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Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass
New York can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win, making their Sunday game against Charlotte moot for them. Toronto could still finish anywhere from fifth to eighth in the East, but a win against New York secures a top-six seed and avoids…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-playoff-scenarios-friday-april-154921817.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-10 15:49:00
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