A quick look at the NBA standings as they relate to the play-in tournament games entering Tuesday. The play-in tournament will be held April 12-15 with higher seeds serving as hosts. The play involves seeds Nos. 7-10 in each conference.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
5. Chicago Bulls, 45-33
6. Toronto Raptors, 45-33
7. Cleveland Cavaliers, 43-36
8. Atlanta Hawks, 41-37
9. Charlotte Hornets, 40-38
10. Brooklyn Nets, 40-38
If tourney were held today:
Hawks at Cavs
Nets at Hornets
The Hawks and Cavs can still reach the No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in altogether. The Hornets and Nets are in the play-in tourney regardless of how the rest of the regular season plays out. Neither can climb to No. 6 or fall below 10.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
5. Denver Nuggets, 47-32
6. Utah Jazz, 46-32
7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 45-34
8. Los Angeles Clippers, 39-40
9. New Orleans Pelicans, 34-44
10. San Antonio Spurs, 33-45
11. Los Angeles Lakers, 31-47
If the tourney were held today:
Clippers at Timberwolves
Spurs at Pelicans
The Timberwolves can finish no worse than seventh, and the Clippers have locked the eight spot. But the Wolves could still climb. Meanwhile, the Lakers will have to finish one game ahead of the Spurs to make it, since the Spurs own the tiebreaker. Translation: It’s not looking good for the LAL.
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