Can't wait for the playoffs

With every NBA team only having 1 or 2 games left the playoff picture is starting to become clear (at least in the East).

All the matchups are set in the East

1) Boston vs 8) Atlanta
4) Cleveland vs 5)Washington
2) Detroit vs 7) Philadelphia
3) Orlando vs 6) Toronto

The West has cleared up some but figuring out all the potential playoff pairings will still give you headaches.

The Lakers have clinched a top two seed and will clinch the top seed with a victory against the Kings Tuesday or a loss by the Hornets in one of their final two games (Clippers, @ Mavs)

The Hornets are in 2nd but can drop to 3rd if they lose their final two games and the Spurs beat the Jazz at home on Wednesday.

After that stuff gets really messy. If the Jazz beat the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday (which they haven't done in about a million years) there is a possibility of a 4 team tie between the Jazz, Spurs, Rockets, and Suns all at 55-27. This would happen if the Rockets and Suns won on Wednesday. Based on complicated tiebreakers the Jazz would be 3rd, Suns 4th, Rockets 5th, and Spurs 6th.

Given the opponents of the Rockets (Clippers) and Suns (Blazers) and the recent struggles of the Spurs this crazy scenario doesn't seem too far fetched. I say it happens.

For the 7 and 8 spots it's simple. If Dallas wins against New Orleans or Denver loses against Memphis then Dallas is 7th. If Dallas loses and Denver wins then Denver is 7th.

My predicted matchups

1) Lakers vs 8) Mavericks
4) Suns vs 5) Rockets
2) Hornets vs 7) Nuggets
3) Jazz vs 6) Spurs

playoff predictions to come when the matchups are set in both conferences

Dr. Hoops