As the 2022-23 NBA season comes to a close, teams are jockeying for playoff positioning and fighting to secure their spot in the postseason. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, every game matters, and there are plenty of storylines to watch in this final week. From the battle for the top seeds to the race for the final playoff spots, here’s what to watch for in the last week of the 2022-23 NBA season.
As the regular season comes to a close, teams are jockeying for position and playoff spots. The Atlanta Hawks have four games left and will be looking to make a solid push to the playoffs, which would set up coach Quin Snyder’s first full season in Atlanta. On the other hand, the Boston Celtics are trying to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference and will face a difficult test on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Brooklyn Nets have made the playoffs despite a tumultuous season, but questions remain about the future of Ben Simmons, who has two years left on his contract.
The Chicago Bulls are looking to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament, but face a tough schedule with games against the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks. They will then turn their attention to their roster, which features 10 pending free agents. The Cleveland Cavaliers are firmly entrenched as the fourth seed and should be able to rest some players down the stretch. They will be looking to build on their impressive home record in the first round of the playoffs.
The Dallas Mavericks, who made it to the Western Conference finals last season, are now fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. They face difficult decisions this offseason, including the fate of unrestricted free agent Kyrie Irving. The Denver Nuggets have already secured the top seed in the Western Conference and will be prioritizing health going into the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons are looking towards the future and will be showcasing their young talent in the final games of the season.
The Golden State Warriors are fighting to stay out of the Play-In Tournament and are awaiting the return of Andrew Wiggins. The Houston Rockets will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season and will be focused on rebuilding through the draft and the upcoming offseason. The Indiana Pacers have two first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft and could be aggressive in building around All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament as they look to make a deep playoff run with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
As the 2022-23 NBA regular season comes to a close, basketball fans can expect an action-packed finale with plenty of exciting games and storylines to follow. From the race for the playoffs to the battle for the MVP award, this final week promises to be full of drama and excitement. With so much at stake, every player and team will be looking to put their best foot forward and leave it all on the court in the hopes of achieving their goals. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to witness some unforgettable basketball as the final week of the regular season unfolds!
