NBA Post Season Teams Are Set

Tuesday night there was still one spot left in the post season to fill, the No 8 seed in the Western Conference. With a win the Utah Jazz lock up the spot; a loss to the Phoenix Suns and we have to wait till the last day of the season to see who is in and who isn't.

As luck would have it we don't have to wait. The Jazz took care of business with a pretty commanding win over the Suns, 100-88, effectively locking them into the No 8 seed in the West.

With nothing much left to play for many teams have already started resting their superstars for the coming ‘second season' as the NBA playoffs are known. There could still be some movement as far as who is seeded where, but what teams are moving on is set in stone now.

In the Eastern Conference those teams are (games back):

1. Chicago Bulls
2. Miami Heat (2.5)
3. Indiana Pacers (6.5)
4. Boston Celtics (10.5)**Boston is a division winner
5. Atlanta Hawks (9.5)
6. Orlando Magic (12)
7. New York Knicks (14)
8. Philadelphia 76ers (14)

Philadelphia has doesn't face any serious challenges to finish the season (Milwaukee and Detroit), but the Knicks have a tough game against the Clippers followed by a walk-in-the-park against Charlotte. It would not be shocking to see Orlando get into the mix for the No 8 seed. Wait--they'd have to lose to Charlotte so that would be shocking.

In the Western Conference those teams are (games back):

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (1.5)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (7.5)
4. Los Angeles Clippers (8.5)
5. Memphis Grizzlies (8.5)
6. Denver Nuggets (12)
7. Dallas Mavericks (12.5)
8. Utah Jazz (14)

It likely doesn't matter to the Clippers or Grizzlies who finishes where since they'll play each other anyway. That is unless either is able to overtake the Lakers; unlikely since Kobe and company finish the season against the lowly Sacramento Kings.

Chicago and San Antonio, just like last year, are still battling it out to see who ends the regular season with the best record in the NBA. Both teams have two games left. San Antonio plays Phoenix on Wednesday and finishes with Golden State on Thursday. For the Bulls the road is a little tougher with the Pacers on Wednesday and the Cavaliers Thursday.

Article by Travis Pulver