The Philippine Star

Let’s take a look at where things are:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

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IN: No. 1 Milwaukee, No. 2 Toronto, No. 3 Philadelph­ia, No. 4 Indiana.

The Bucks are in total control of the race for the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Really, the two interestin­g games left on their schedule are Tuesday against Houston (Giannis Antetokoun­mpo vs. James Harden in the MVP battle will be the dominant narrative there, as if one game will change much) and April 4 at Philadelph­ia (two teams that just don’t like one another). Toronto’s remaining schedule is the easiest left in the NBA, but the Raptors may have run out of time in their quest to catch the Bucks.

ON THE VERGE: Boston. It’s only a matter of time. The Celtics are going to get in.

WHAT’S LEFT: Technicall­y, six teams – Detroit, Brooklyn, Miami, Orlando, Charlotte and Washington – for three spots. Washington’s odds are almost non-existent. The Miami-Orlando game on Tuesday is enormous, especially for the Heat. Brooklyn’s remaining schedule looks incredibly tough, unless the Nets run into some teams who rest stars on those nights. And with two games against Milwaukee in April, that’s possible.

Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, New York.

OUT: WESTERN CONFERENCE

IN: No. 1 Golden State, No. 2 Denver, No. 3 Houston.

The race for No. 1 in the West is obviously important for home-court advantage through as many rounds as possible, but there’s something else for the Warriors and Nuggets to consider. If Houston – playoff-bound for a franchise-recordtyin­g seventh straight year – finishes in the No. 3 spot (which is far from guaranteed), then the topseeded team would avoid seeing James Harden until the West finals. Golden State’s lead over Denver is only a half-game, but the Warriors’ remaining schedule is a ton easier than what Denver has left.

ON THE VERGE: Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City, Utah, San Antonio. The Spurs are eighth, but they have a very easy schedule left and shouldn’t have much trouble not only clinching, but possibly moving up a spot or two.

STILL WITH A TINY CHANCE: Sacramento, which probably can’t lose more than one or two games the rest of the way.

OUT: Minnesota, the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas and Phoenix.

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