Celtics, Cavaliers vying for No. 1 seed
With just over a week left in the NBA regular season, there's still a ton to be decided before the playoff field is set.
In the East, four spots remain unclaimed. In the West, two are up for grabs. And while some seedings look wrapped up, none are officially clinched. Want drama? It's not hard to find. “To be in competition like this, it's a privilege,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Monday was a most-needed day for most of the NBA to catch its breath. The league always tries to avoid scheduling games on the day of the NCAA men's championship game and would have done so this year if a Portland-Minnesota game didn't have to be postponed because of floor conditions earlier this season. Things pick up in earnest again Tuesday. So to get ready for the final nine days of the season, here's a primer on playoff chases.
TOPOFTHE EAST
Boston (50-27) Cleveland (49-27) The Celtics host the Cavaliers on Wednesday, with the winner assured of leaving that night with the No. 1 spot in the East standings. If Cleveland wins, it essentially becomes two victories since the defending champions will also own the head-to-head tiebreaker with Boston. ... LeBron James got his first ring in 2012 as a No. 2 seed in the East with Miami, so it's not like he'll be deterred even if the Cavs don't get that top spot. ... Boston is trending up, going 9-2 in its last 11 games. The Cavs have nine wins in their last 20 games.
EAST NO. 3
Toronto (47-30) Washington (46-31) Toronto took the season series 2-1, so it's like the Raptors have a two-game lead with five left. But the Raptors play four of their last five on the road, and still don't have Kyle Lowry back from wrist surgery. ... Washington still has to play Miami twice, Detroit and Charlotte, teams very desperate right now to get in. ... Both the Raptors and Wizards have wrapped up home-court advantage for the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
EAST NO. 5
Milwaukee (40-37) Atlanta (39-38) Milwaukee's schedule is brutal with four road games in the final five, including ones at Oklahoma City, Indiana and Boston — teams all playing for something. ... Atlanta took the season series 3-0, but the Hawks have a three-game, four-day stretch this week that goes Boston, at Cleveland, Cleveland.
EAST NO. 7
Chicago (38-39) Miami (37-40) Indiana (37-40) Charlotte (36-41) Detroit (35-42) The Bulls won't play another playoff team until the playoffs, if they get in. Chicago's final five games are at New York, at Philadelphia, at Brooklyn, then home for Orlando and home for Brooklyn again. ... Miami goes to Charlotte on Wednesday, in an enormous game for both teams.