Western Conference Playoff Picture
The NBA regular season is coming to a close on Friday, and the playoff field is mostly set — but the bottom of the Western Conference still needs to be settled on Thursday.
And there is only one result left that matters.
Here's what you need to know:
In the "play-in" round, if the 8-seed wins the first game, the round is over and that team advances. If the 9 seed wins the first game, a second game will be played, and the winner of that game advances to the playoffs.
Portland will be:
No. 8 if the Blazers win OR Grizzlies, Suns and Spurs lose
No. 9 if the Blazers lose and two of Grizzlies, Suns or Spurs lose
Eliminated if the Blazers lose and two of the Grizzlies, Suns or Spurs win
Memphis will be seeded:
No. 8 if the Grizzlies win and Blazers lose
No. 9 if the Grizzlies win and Blazers win OR Grizzlies, Suns and Spurs all lose
Eliminated if the Grizzlies lose and either the Suns or Spurs win
Update: Memphis defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 116-104, to secure a spot in the play-in round.
Phoenix will be seeded:
No. 8 if the Suns win and Blazers and Grizzlies both lose
No. 9 if the Suns win and Blazers or Grizzlies lose
Eliminated if they lose
Update: Phoenix defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 128-102, and now await the result of the Trail Blazers and Nets game to find out if they will be in the play-in round.
San Antonio will be seeded:
No. 8 if the Spurs win and Blazers, Grizzlies and Suns all lose
No. 9 if the Spurs win and two of the Blazers, Grizzlies and Suns lose
Eliminated if they lose
Update: The Spurs are eliminated from playoff contention after both the Suns and Grizzlies won Thursday afternoon.