The NBA regular season is nearing the end, with most teams having roughly 10 games or so left to play. Some teams have already locked up a playoff spot, while others are fighting to be one of the play-in teams, fighting for a shot at a playoff matchup with some of the NBA’s bests.
East
Nets
Depending on the Nets fan, they might view a playoff run as a success, considering all the turmoil the team has been through this NBA season. or the fans will see it as a gigantic failure that they are in the play-in, when at the beginning of the season they were regarded as Championship contenders when they had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on their squad. leaning towards a rebuild, but with the amount of talent, they could still make a sneaky run into the playoffs through the playing.
Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are another team that has dealt with a ton of frustration this season, resulting in head coach Nate McMillian being fired weeks ago. The Hawks have the talent to make a playoff run like in 2021, but they far too inconsitsent and could easily be upset by one of their play-in tournament foes.
Raptors
Raptors may not have had the best regular season, but they are not a team that any playoff team wants to face. The Raptors never give up and play an extremely well balanced brand of basketball and will be a tough out in the play-in and or beyond.
Pacers
The Bulls in the Pacers will be battling it out for the final spot in the play-in for the next 10 games. However, with the injuries the Bulls are facing, and with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way for Indiana, the Pacers will just make it in the play-in tournament.
West
Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. this young core has won eight of their last 10 games, and are showcasing that the rebuild from Sam Presti is already working. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the best guards in all of the NBA and can lead this team to a fairytale playoff run.
Mavericks
With the west being so close in terms of talent, the Dallas Mavericks could very well be a team that escapes the play-in and gets the fourth or fifth seed. However, if they are in the play-in tournament, they shouldn’t worry too much as they will be a favorite to advance with the backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been a disappointment for most NBA fans as Minnesota was thought to be a title contenders after trading away a massive amount of draft capital to acquire center Rudy Gobert. The combination between D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Rudy Gobert has not resulted in many wins and Russell was even traded at the deadline. The play-in tournament can be the trios chance for redemption this season.
Lakers
It will be a battle between multiple teams in the west, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz. While the Jazz have been much better than many expected, the Lakers have more talent than Utah and the combination of Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell and if LeBron James is back, is too much to stop.
