Plus the Thunder stand to lose their grip on the West No. 8.
Every game is critical for the teams behind the Warriors in the West playoff race with just 9-10 remaining for most NBA teams. Two teams in particular fighting a very specific battle are the Clippers and Blazers. Right now, they look like the most probable pairing at the 4-5 matchup. Whichever team has the better record with earn home court advantage, despite the fact that Portland can't fall below the No. 4 seed due to its assured victory of the Northwest Division banner. (The Blazers' magic number to clinch the division is two.)
After Saturday's action, the Clippers lead the Blazers by a half-game. If the two teams finish the season tied in the standings, Portland will win home court due to its division title. So to snatch the advantage, L.A. needs to be a game better. Why is this critical? The Blazers are the West's second-best team at home (29-7), and just .500 on the road this season.
Of course, both teams are also in the mix for the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, and San Antonio looms just 1.5 games behind L.A. as well. Here's what the bracket currently looks like after Saturday's action.
Warriors (1) vs. Thunder (8)
Blazers (4) vs. Clippers (5)*
Clippers have home court advantage
Grizzlies (2) vs. Mavericks (7)
Rockets (3) vs. Spurs (6)
In the East, the Hornets stayed alive in the most improbable way: beating the Hawks. Charlotte is now tied with the Pacers one game behind the Celtics for No. 8 with the Nets in their path (0.5 games out). Charlotte is the only team Miami isn't safe from in terms of tiebreakers, and the Heat have a game on the Celtics and two on the Hornets.
Here's what the East bracket currently looks like.
Hawks (1) vs. Celtics (8)
Raptors (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Cavaliers (2) vs. Heat (7)
Bulls (3) vs. Bucks (6)
On Sunday we have a smattering of games involving playoff race teams, but two critical showdowns: Memphis at San Antonio (7 p.m. ET, League Pass) and OKC at Phoenix (9 p.m. ET, NBA TV). The latter could show us whether we will still have a race for No. 8 in the West or whether the Thunder seek to end it early.
Be sure to check out our tiebreaker guides for the East and West for a more detailed look at various advantages.
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1F5VELu
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