The New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder are still in a tight race for the eighth spot in the Western Conference, while the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers are tied at eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Western Conference Playoff Picture
The Pelicans are still clinging on the eighth spot in the conference with their 43-37 record. The Thunder have a similar card, but the Pelicans hold the advantage after winning in three of their four regular-season meetings.
The Thunder had a chance to gain advantage on Sunday night, but they absorbed a 116-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. Luckily for them, the Pelicans also dropped their assignment on Sunday, taking a 121-114 loss to the playoff-bound Houston Rockets.
The race for the final spot gets interesting after Thunder star Russell Westbrook, who scored 54 points against the Pacers, might be suspended in their upcoming game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday after committing his 16th technical foul of the season.
Following Monday's game against Portland, the Thunder will close out the regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. On the other hand, the Pelicans will go up against the Timberwolves on Monday before facing the San Antonio Spurs in their regular-season finale on Wednesday.
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets and the Indiana Pacers are also in a toe-to-toe race for the eighth and final playoff spot. Both teams sport a 37-43 record, but the Nets have the tie-breaker advantage after winning in two of their three regular-season matches.
The Pacers put themselves in the race after their 116-104 win over the Thunder, which came after the Nets absorbed a 96-73 blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
The Nets have a lighter schedule ahead of them. They are going to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Both games will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
On the other hand, the Pacers will face playoff teams Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The match against the Wizards will be in Indianapolis, while the game against the Grizzlies will take place in Memphis.
The Miami Heat are still technically in the race for the fight spot, but they have no control over their fate. The 35-45 Heat have to win in their final two games against the Magic and Philadelphia 76ers, and hope that the Pacers and Nets will both lose in their final two games of the regular season.
