With only three weeks remaining in the 2021-22 NBA regular season, teams are starting to get down to the final 10-or-so games on their schedule.
That means nearly every contest that takes place will have some sort of impact on the standings, playoff picture and Play-In Tournament race.
On Sunday, March 20, there were nine games of NBA action and almost all of them had playoff or Play-In implications.
Take a look below at how each game affected the playoff picture.
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Pacers 129, Trail Blazers 98: This game had little impact on the playoff picture. The Pacers are already mathematically eliminated in the East and the Blazers have lost five games in a row, dropping to 3.0 games back from the final Play-In spot in the West.
Grizzlies
Magic 90, Thunder 85: This game didn’t have any implications on the playoff race, but it may play a part in lottery odds down the line.
Pelicans 117, Hawks 112: This game was huge for the Pelicans as it allowed them to leapfrog the Lakers into ninth in the West. If they can maintain their half-game advantage until the end of the season, they would have home court in a Play-In matchup with Los Angeles.
Suns 127, Kings 124 (OT): Phoenix has already clinched its playoff berth, but will be looking to cement home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Every win still matters for them until they get Chris Paul back.
Jazz 108, Knicks 93: The Jazz’s win and the Warriors’ loss means the Jazz are only 2.0 games behind Golden State for the third seed. With Stephen Curry out for at least the next couple of weeks, the Jazz will be looking to jump over the Warriors for the third seed before the playoffs begin.
We heard that one, Spida! 🗣️
Spurs 110, Warriors 108: While the Spurs are still mathematically in contention for a Play-In seed, it will be a difficult task to make up a 2.5-game difference from the Pelicans and Lakers with just 10 games remaining on their schedule. Wins like this one against the Warriors will go a long way in helping their case, though.
KELDON JOHNSON CRASHES THE GLASS FOR THE @spurs WIN! pic.twitter.com/KqEPj6N8I9
Celtics 124, Nuggets 104: The Celtics have scorched their way back into the top four and have a higher seeding firmly in their sights. A logjam at the top of the East means only a half-game separates seeds 2-through-4. The loss for the Nuggets means they drop out of the guaranteed playoff spot and into the Play-In picture in the West for now.
Raptors 93, 76ers 88: The Raptors’ win ensures they are just one game behind the Cavaliers, who are in the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the East. Philadelphia is locked in a battle with Milwaukee and Boston for that No. 2 seed.
Play-In seeds are 7-through-10.
Play-In seeds are 7-through-10.
