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2025 NBA Playoff Picture: Here's what's at stake in the East and West with two weeks to go

Posted: March 31, 2025 at 10:22 am   /   by   /   comments (0)

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 13. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, strength of schedule, relevant tiebreakers and the stakes for every day's slate of games.



Clinched No. 1 seed and first-round playoff series vs. No. 8 seed (determined by play-in tournament)

Net rating: 5.2
Magic number for top-six seed: 2
Remaining strength of schedule: .577
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)

Net rating: 4.1
Magic number for top-six seed: 4
Remaining strength of schedule: .556
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Lakers have a big game against the Rockets on Monday night. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Michael Hickey via Getty Images

Net rating: 0.7
Magic number for top-six seed: 5
Remaining strength of schedule: .595
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 8)

Net rating: 4.9
Magic number for top-six seed: 7
Remaining strength of schedule: .534
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)

Net rating: 2.7
Magic number for top-six seed: 8
Remaining strength of schedule: .545
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)

Net rating: 4.5
Magic number for top-eight seed: 2
Remaining strength of schedule: .417
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)

Net rating: 4.0
Magic number for top-eight seed: 3
Remaining strength of schedule: .486
Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

Net rating: -0.4
Magic number for top-10 seed: 6
Remaining strength of schedule: .502
Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed

Net rating: 0.2
Magic number for top-10 seed: 7
Remaining strength of schedule: .508
Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

Net rating: -2.2
Magic number for top-10 seed: Do not control own destiny
Remaining strength of schedule: .606
Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed

Net rating: -3.5
Magic number for top-10 seed: Do not control own destiny
Remaining strength of schedule: .446
Highest possible finish: No. 9 seed

Net rating: -2.8
Magic number for top-10 seed: Do not control own destiny
Remaining strength of schedule: .540
Highest possible finish: No. 9 seed


Clippers at Magic (7 p.m.)
LAC can clinch at least a top-10 seed and a play-in berth with a win

Kings at Pacers (7 p.m.)

Celtics at Grizzlies (7:30 p.m., TNT)
MEM can clinch at least a top-eight seed with a win or a DAL loss

Bulls at Thunder (8 p.m.)

Nets at Mavericks (8:30 p.m.)

Rockets at Lakers (10 p.m., TNT)
HOU can clinch a guaranteed playoff berth with a win and a MEM loss
HOU can clinch a tiebreaker against LAL with a win



Clinched playoff berth
Net rating: 9.7
Magic number for No. 1 seed: 4
Remaining strength of schedule: .541
Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (clinched no lower than No. 2)

Clinched playoff berth
Net rating: 9.4
Magic number for No. 1 seed: Do not control own destiny
Remaining strength of schedule: .416
Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed (clinched no lower than No. 2)

Clinched playoff berth
Net rating: 4.2
Magic number for No. 3 seed: 4
Remaining strength of schedule: .560
Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed (clinched no lower than No. 6)

Net rating: 1.6
Magic number for top-six seed: 2
Remaining strength of schedule: .484
Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed (clinched no lower than No. 7)

Net rating: 2.6
Magic number for top-six seed: 3
Remaining strength of schedule: .572
Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed (clinched no lower than No. 7)

Net rating: 1.6
Magic number for top-six seed: 5
Remaining strength of schedule: .434
Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)

Net rating: -1.5
Magic number for top-eight seed: 6
Remaining strength of schedule: .419
Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)

Net rating: -0.7
Magic number for top-eight seed: 6
Remaining strength of schedule: .500
Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed (clinched no lower than No. 10)

Net rating: -2.4
Magic number for top-10 seed: 2
Remaining strength of schedule: .456
Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed

Net rating: -0.7
Magic number for top-10 seed: 2
Remaining strength of schedule: .418
Highest possible finish: No. 6

Net rating: -4.1
Magic number for top-10 seed: Do not control own destiny
Remaining strength of schedule: .416
Highest possible finish: No. 9 seed


Heat at Wizards (7 p.m.)

Clippers at Magic (7 p.m.)

Kings at Pacers (7 p.m.)

Celtics at Grizzlies (7:30 p.m., TNT)

Bulls at Thunder (8 p.m.)

NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

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