“NBA Regular Season Nears End with Western Conference Playoff Spots Still Up for Grabs”

In the NBA, the last game of the regular season for all teams is on Easter Sunday. In the Western Conference, there are still two direct playoff spots at stake.

The Los Angeles Clippers have secured the best starting position. They won their mandatory against the already eliminated Portland Trail Blazers with 136:125 (64:70). Star player Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points for the Clippers, who are fifth in the Western Conference and have their fate in their own hands in the final game of the season.

A win at the Phoenix Suns keeps the Clippers in fifth place and would face the Suns again in the first round of the playoffs, who are already fourth in the West.

Warriors, Lakers and Pelicans hope

Behind the Clippers, defending champions Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers with Dennis Schröder and the New Orleans Pelicans are still hoping for a direct playoff spot. The first six teams in each conference are directly qualified, the teams in places seven to ten each determine two playoff participants in a play-in tournament.

While the Warriors (with the Trail Blazers) and Lakers (against the Utah Jazz) meet two teams that are no longer about anything, the Pelicans have to compete against the ninth-placed Minnesota Timberwolves. In the best-case scenario, they could finish seventh if they win. The Timberwolves secured this starting position with a clear 151:131 win at the San Antonio Spurs.

In the east, all playoff participants have been determined

In the Eastern Conference, the first six playoff teams and the four participants of the play-in tournament are already determined before the final day of the regular season.

Those: sportschau.de