There are only a few weeks left in the regular season, so it's probably a little late to just start thinking about the playoffs, but since only 3 teams have clinched their playoff spots so far, there are still 13 spots up for grabs, although only 16 teams are really in contention for those spots. Here are my predictions for where each team will end up in the final standings, and keep in mind that any team could end up three games higher or lower when the regular season ends.
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago (50-16)
2. Miami (49-17)
3. Indiana (40-26)
5. Atlanta (39-27)
6. Orlando (38-28)
4. Philadelphia (36-30)
7. Boston (36-30)
8. New York (35-31)
9. Milwaukee (33-33)
Chicago and Miami are going to be the top 2 seeds, and it could go either way, but the Bulls are currently the favorites for the top seed, and probably the overall #1 seed as well. Whichever team of the Pacers, Hawks, and Magic ends up with the best record will get the #3 seed and home court in the first round, while the others will start the playoffs on the road. This is because the division winners are all guaranteed home court in the first round, so whichever team finishes first in the Atlantic Division will be awarded the #4 seed, and it could go any of three ways, with the slight edge going to the 76ers, although the Celtics are looking good lately. Milwaukee is currently on the outside looking in, but it is possible that they could catch one of the Atlantic Division teams and steal the final playoff spot, but they'll need some help.
Western Conference
1. San Antonio (48-18)
2. Oklahoma City (48-18)
3. LA Lakers (41-25)
4. LA Clippers (39-27)
5. Memphis (38-28)
6. Dallas (36-30)
7. Houston (35-31)
8. Denver (35-31)
9. Phoenix (33-33)
10. Utah (33-33)
San Antonio and Oklahoma City are in a dead heat for the top seed in the West, as they are currently tied in the loss column and look like they may end up that way. The Spurs own the tiebreaker with a 2-1 win in the season series, so they are currently on top. The Lakers will probably end up at #3, but the Clippers and Grizzlies both have them in their sights. Dallas is the only other team that could get into the top 4 for home court in the first round, but more likely they will end up in the lower half. There are five teams in contention for those final 3 spots, and the edge goes to those that are currently ahead, especially since Phoenix has the toughest remaining schedule in the league. Every night is going to be important going forward for the final 5, because it could swing toward any of them.
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