Teams starting to clinch spots in the NBA playoffs
May 5, 2021
As the season is winding down, more teams start to clinch their spot in the NBA playoffs. The usual suspects, the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and the Los Angeles Clippers have all clinched their playoff spots.
On the other hand, the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets have all been eliminated from the playoffs this year. They are all young teams, so NBA fans hope that they can turn things around for the next year.
It also looks like the New York Knicks are going to make the playoffs this year. I know there are a few games left, but they have been playing extremely well lately (9-1 in the last 10 games) and are currently sitting in the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks had 21-45 record last year (0.318 winning percentage), but they have a 36-28 record (0.563 winning percentage). That is an impressive turn around!
Both the Eastern and the Western Conference have a close race for the playoff spots as the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Washington Wizards are all within two games for the last spot in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards have been on fire lately (8-2 in the last 10 games), so I would not be surprised to see the Wizards to sneak in the playoff.
Similarly, the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs are all within a game for the last spot in the Western Conference. They all had a similar trend going, so it is hard to tell which team is going to get the last spot, but we will find out soon.