The Celtics are fighting the Cavaliers for the top seed in the East. (Getty)
The NBA playoff picture is becoming clearer and clearer with just hours remaining before the entire 16-team field is set. Fans will be keeping an eye on the Eastern Conference tonight as the Western Conference matchups are set.
The big battle is for the No. 1 seed between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs need to win against the Raptors and have the Celtics lose to the Bucks in order to regain control of the top spot. In all other scenarios, the Celtics will get the top seed.
In the West, the only thing yet to be determined is which team will have home court advantage in the series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz. Things are more complicated in the East where the Pacers, Bulls and Heat are fighting for the final two spots. If somehow there is a three-way tie, the Heat and Bulls own the tiebreaker.
There are two matchups in the East that have been decided. The Raptors will take on the Bucks while the Wizards square off with Hawks.
Teams listed in bold have already clinched a playoff spot. Here’s a look at the latest NBA standings and playoff seeding.
Eastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | GB |
| 1. Boston Celtics | 52 | 29 | – |
| 2. Cleveland Cavaliers | 51 | 31 | 2 |
| 3. Toronto Raptors | 51 | 31 | 2 |
| 4. Washington Wizards | 49 | 33 | 4 |
| 5. Atlanta Hawks | 43 | 39 | 10 |
| 6. Milwaukee Bucks | 42 | 40 | 11 |
| 7. Indiana Pacers | 42 | 40 | 11 |
| 8. Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | 12 |
| 9. Miami Heat | 41 | 41 | 12 |
| 10. Detroit Pistons | 37 | 45 | 16 |
| 11. Charlotte Hornets | 36 | 46 | 17 |
Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups
The Wizards take on the Hawks in the playoffs. (Getty)
No. 8 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 1 Boston Celtics
No. 7 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers
No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 3 Toronto Raptors
No. 5 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 4 Washington Wizards
Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | GB |
| 1. Golden State Warriors | 66 | 15 | – |
| 2. San Antonio Spurs | 61 | 20 | 5 |
| 3. Houston Rockets | 55 | 27 | 11.5 |
| 4. LA Clippers | 50 | 31 | 16 |
| 5. Utah Jazz | 50 | 31 | 16 |
| 6. Oklahoma City Thunder | 47 | 35 | 19.5 |
| 7. Memphis Grizzlies | 43 | 39 | 23.5 |
| 8. Portland Trail Blazers | 41 | 40 | 25 |
| 9. Denver Nuggets | 40 | 42 | 26.5 |
| 10. New Orleans Pelicans | 33 | 48 | 33 |
| 11. Dallas Mavericks | 33 | 49 | 33.5 |
Western Conference Playoff Matchups
The Rockets will square off with the Thunder in the playoffs. (Getty)
No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 1 Golden State Warriors
No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 2 San Antonio Spurs
No. 6 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 3 Houston Rockets
No. 5 Utah Jazz vs. No. 4 LA Clippers
