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What NBA games matter today? How final regular season schedule impacts playoff picture originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's the final day of the NBA regular season.
There are still plenty of games that matter for the NBA's playoff picture, play-in scenarios and even draft lottery standings.
Here, we break it all down.
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What NBA games matter today?
We'll list what's significant in each of the 15 games, start times listed ET:
Nets at Raptors — 6:00 PM ET
The Raptors could finish anywhere from 5-8 seed in the East. They're guaranteed top-6 with a win, and can be fifth if both Atlanta and Orlando lose.
The Nets are locked into a bottom-three draft lottery spot, which all have the same odds for first.
Hornets at Knicks — 6:00 PM ET
The Hornets host the 9-10 play-in game with a win, but if they lose and Miami wins, they travel to the Heat.
The Knicks are locked into the 3-seed.
Hawks at Heat — 6:00 PM ET
The Hawks clinch the 5-seed with a win, but can drop to 6-seed with a loss.
The Heat are in the 9-10 game, and they host it with a win and a Hornets loss.
Wizards at Cavaliers — 6:00 PM ET
The Cavs are locked into the 4-seed.
The Wizards are locked into the NBA's worst record.
Magic at Celtics — 6:00 PM ET
The Celtics are locked into the 2-seed.
For the Magic to get the 6-seed and avoid the play-in, they need a win and a Raptors loss. Otherwise they'll be in the 7-8 game.
Bucks at 76ers — 6:00 PM ET
The Bucks are in the lottery no matter what.
The 76ers are in the 7-8 game unless they win with losses by Orlando and Toronto.
Pistons at Pacers — 6:00 PM ET
Detroit is locked into the 1-seed.
Indiana is locked into a bottom-three record, which comes with joint top lottery odds.
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Warriors at Clippers — 8:30 PM ET
The Warriors are locked into the 10-seed and a road play-in game.
The Clippers host the Warriors unless they win and the Blazers lose, a case in which they'd move up to 8-seed.
Jazz at Lakers — 8:30 PM ET
The Lakers are the 3-seed if they win and Denver loses. Otherwise they're the 4.
The Jazz can have as good as the fourth-best lottery odds if they lose.
Bulls at Mavericks — 8:30 PM ET
The Bulls are in the lottery no matter what and can only shift by one spot based on a loss or win.
The Mavericks can also shift by a spot in the lottery depending on result.
Grizzlies at Rockets — 8:30 PM ET
Houston is locked into the 5-seed.
A Memphis loss does keep them in a better lottery spot, while a win would shift them potentially a couple places.
Pelicans at Timberwolves — 8:30 PM ET
Minnesota is locked into the 6-seed.
The Pelicans can still shift into better lottery position with a loss.
Kings at Trail Blazers — 8:30 PM ET
Sacramento can be either fourth- or fifth-best lottery odds.
The Blazers are the 8-seed with a win, or the 9-seed with a loss and Clippers win.
Suns at Thunder — 8:30 PM ET
These teams are both locked in: OKC to the 1-seed, Phoenix to the 7-seed.
Nuggets at Spurs — 8:30 PM ET
The Nuggets clinch the 3-seed with a win but can drop to 4 with a loss and Lakers win.
The Spurs are set as the 2-seed.
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- Knicks' 2023 NBA Draft pick is in the portal
- Ohio State can pull off reverse Michigan move
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