NBA PLAYOFF: WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT

MIAMI – The playoff field is largely set. The positioning, that’s still anyone’s guess. So even while some of what we could have had for drama over the final 2 1/2 weeks of the NBA regular season won’t materialize – LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are already out of the playoffs, robbing us of one potential story line – the races for seedings and home-court edges are almost certain now to go down to the final days of the season.

Milwaukee has the edge over all other teams in the race for the No. 1 overall seed. Dwyane Wade’s career still isn’t guaranteed of going past Miami’s regular-season finale in Brooklyn on April 10. Golden State, bidding for a third straight NBA championship and fourth in five years, still has a fight on its hands just to get the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

“We’re ready to take on any challenger,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said.

San Antonio still hasn’t clinched a 22nd consecutive playoff spot, which would tie Philadelphia (1950-71, some of that as the Syracuse Nationals) for the league record, though the Spurs are well on their way.

“That’s a good sign that they’re figuring it out,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Charlotte’s Tony Parker’s quest for an 18th straight playoff appearance is in trouble. James’ run of 13 straight is over. Minnesota’s Jeff Teague has been in the league for 10 years, and this is the first time he won’t be in the postseason.

Memphis’ Omri Casspi has now played in 588 career games for seven different franchises, zero of them in the playoffs, and that won’t change this year in what is now the fourth-longest playoff drought by any player in NBA history. And Golden State’s DeMarcus Cousins – finally – should play in a playoff game, barring injury between now and the second weekend of April.