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NBA playoff picture

Reuters

A look at the NBA playoff picture heading into the Monday night games:

Playoff format -- The top eight teams from each conference make the postseason. (x-clinched playoff berth; z-clinched top record in conference)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. z-Toronto Raptors, 58-22, leaders, two games remaining (at Detroit on Monday, at Miami on Wednesday)

2. x-Boston Celtics, 54-26, four games back, two games remaining (at Washington on Tuesday, vs. Brooklyn on Wednesday)

3. x-Philadelphia 76ers, 50-30, eight games back, two games remaining (at Atlanta on Tuesday, vs. Milwaukee on Wednesday)

4. x-Cleveland Cavaliers, 49-31, nine games back, two games remaining (at New York on Monday, vs. New York on Wednesday)

5. x-Indiana Pacers, 48-33, 10 1/2 games back, one game remaining (vs. Charlotte on Tuesday)

T6. x-Miami Heat, 43-37, 15 games back, two games remaining (vs. Oklahoma City on Monday, vs. Toronto on Wednesday)

T6. x-Milwaukee Bucks, 43-37, 15 games back, two games remaining (vs. Orlando on Monday, at Philadelphia on Wednesday)

8. Washington Wizards, 42-38, 16 games back, two games remaining (vs. Boston on Tuesday, at Orlando on Wednesday)

The top two seeds are set. The Cavaliers would get the No. 3 seed if they finish tied with the 76ers. The Pacers only would move up to No. 4 if they win their finale and the Cavs lose twice to the Knicks. Should Cleveland climb up to No. 3, Miami, Milwaukee and Washington all might be fighting to avoid finishing sixth and getting a first-round matchup with LeBron James and Co.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. z-Houston Rockets, 64-16, leaders, two games remaining (at L.A. Lakers on Tuesday, at Sacramento on Wednesday)

2. x-Golden State Warriors, 58-23, 6 1/2 games back, one game remaining (at Utah on Tuesday)

3. x-Portland Trail Blazers, 48-32, 16 games back, two games remaining (at Denver on Monday, vs. Utah on Wednesday)

4. x-Utah Jazz, 47-33, 17 games back, two games remaining (vs. Golden State on Tuesday, at Portland on Wednesday)

T5. New Orleans Pelicans, 46-34, 18 games back, two games remaining (at L.A. Clippers on Monday, vs. San Antonio on Wednesday)

T5. San Antonio Spurs, 46-34, 18 games back, two games remaining (vs. Sacramento on Monday, at New Orleans on Wednesday)

T5. Oklahoma City Thunder, 46-34, 18 games back, two games remaining (at Miami on Monday, vs. Memphis on Wednesday)

T8. Minnesota Timberwolves, 45-35, 19 games back, two games remaining (vs. Memphis on Monday, vs. Denver on Wednesday)

T8. Denver Nuggets, 45-35, 19 games back, two games remaining (vs. Portland on Monday, at Minnesota on Wednesday)

As in the East, the first two seeds are settled. The Jazz would hold the tiebreaker over the Blazers if Utah wins the clubs' head-to-head finale. The Timberwolves and Nuggets also conclude the regular season with a head-to-head matchup that could settle the final playoff berth.

MONDAY'S GAMES (all times ET):

Toronto at Detroit, 7 p.m. -- The Raptors, looking for a fourth consecutive win, oppose the East's ninth-place team -- albeit the Pistons already are eliminated.

Chicago at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. -- Both teams enter with 27-53 records, so lottery odds will be on the line.

Oklahoma City at Miami, 7:30 p.m. -- The Thunder would clinch a postseason berth with a victory. However, Miami has incentive, too: If the Heat win and the Bucks lose Monday, Miami would seal the No. 6 seed in the East.

Cleveland at New York, 7:30 p.m. -- The Cavaliers are 10-2 in their past 12 games heading into a pair of matchups with the Knicks.

Orlando at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. -- The Bucks are jockeying for their playoff slot while the Magic still could finish last in the East.

Memphis at Minnesota, 8 p.m. -- The Timberwolves would clinch a playoff berth Monday if they beat the Grizzlies and both San Antonio and Portland win.

Sacramento at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. -- The Spurs are in with a win over the Kings. Even if Sacramento pulls the upset, San Antonio would clinch Monday if Denver loses or if Minnesota loses.

Portland at Denver, 9 p.m. -- The Trail Blazers are limping toward the postseason with a three-game losing streak while the Nuggets are riding a five-game winning streak.

New Orleans at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. -- The Pelicans need just a win over the Clippers, who were eliminated from contention over the weekend, to seal a postseason berth for the first time since 2014-15.

--Field Level Media