NBA playoff picture: All of the scenarios and stakes for postseason contenders down the stretch run

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, remaining schedules and the stakes forevery day's slate of games.

Jump to: Western Conference

EASTERN CONFERENCE

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, in some order, appear bound for the top four playoff seeds and home-court advantage in the opening round. The Pistons, who hold a five-game lead on the Celtics and Knicks, are almost certain to capture the East's No. 1 seed, barring a complete meltdown in the absence of injured Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung).

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Who, exactly, those four teams will play in the opening round is entirely up for grabs, as just two wins separate the fifth seed from the 10th seed. The Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat are all jockeying for position down the stretch of a season that has surpassed 70 games.

Technically, the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls are still alive for postseason contention, though they are locked in a different kind of race — one for lottery odds.

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined

1.Detroit Pistons

Record:52-19 |Net rating:8.0 (2nd)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: ATL, NOP, @MIN, @OKC, TOR, MIN, @PHI, @ORL, MIL, @CHA, @IND

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

What's at stake:The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot

2.Boston Celtics

Record:(47-24) |Net rating:7.8 (3rd)

• Magic number for No. 2 seed: 11

• Remaining schedule: OKC, ATL, @CHA, @ATL, @MIA, @MIL, TOR, CHA, @NYK, NOP, ORL

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

3.New York Knicks

Record:48-25 |Net rating:6.8 (5th)

• Magic number for No. 3 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @CHA, @OKC, @HOU, @MEM, CHI, @ATL, BOS, TOR, CHA

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What's at stake:The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

4.Cleveland Cavaliers

Record:45-27 |Net rating:4.3 (8th)

• Magic number for No. 4 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: MIA, MIA, @UTA, @LAL, @GSW, IND, @MEM, ATL, @ATL, WAS

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

5.Toronto Raptors

Record:40-31 |Net rating:2.0 (12th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 11

• Remaining schedule: @LAC, NOP, ORL, @DET, SAC, @MEM, @BOS, MIA, MIA, @NYK, BKN

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

6.Atlanta Hawks

Record:40-32 |Net rating:1.7 (13th)

• Magic number for No. 6 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: @DET, @BOS, SAC, BOS, @ORL, @BKN, NYK, @CLE, CLE, @MIA

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

7.Philadelphia 76ers

Record:39-33 |Net rating:-0.8 (19th)

• Magic number for No. 7 seed: 10

• Remaining schedule: CHI, @CHA, @MIA, @WAS, MIN, DET, @SAS, @HOU, @IND, MIL

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

8.Orlando Magic

Record:38-34 |Net rating:0.7 (17th)

• Magic number for No. 8 seed: Do not control own destiny

• Remaining schedule: SAC, @TOR, PHX, ATL, @DAL, @NOP, DET, MIN, @CHI, @BOS

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

9.Charlotte Hornets

Record:38-34 |Net rating:4.7 (6th)

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 10

• Remaining schedule: NYK, PHI, BOS, @BKN, PHX, IND, @MIN, @BOS, DET, @NYK

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

10.Miami Heat

Record:38-34 |Net rating:2.4 (11th)

• Magic number for No. 10 seed: 3

• Remaining schedule: @CLE, @CLE, @IND, PHI, BOS, WAS, @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

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Still technically alive

11.Milwaukee Bucks

Record:29-42 |Net rating:-5.5 (25th)

12.Chicago Bulls

Record:29-42 |Net rating:-4.3 (23rd)

What's at stake:Whichever team finishes with a worse record will receive a 20.3% chance at a top-four pick and a 4.5% chance at the No. 1 pick. And whichever team finishes with a better record will get a 13.9% shot at top four and a 3% shot at No. 1.

However, if the Bucks do ultimately land the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery — or any selection higher than the New Orleans Pelicans — it will convey to the Hawks.

Wednesday's games of consequence (all times Eastern)

• Hawks at Pistons, 7 p.m.

• Bulls at 76ers, 7 p.m.

• Thunder at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

• Heat at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.

• Bucks at Blazers, 10 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are bound for the top two seeds, with OKC holding a considerable lead for the league's No. 1 overall seed.

The Los Angeles Lakers, with their recent nine-game winning streak, moved in as heavy favorites to capture the conference's No. 3 seed. Beyond them is anyone's guess.

Zero losses separate the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, who are all but guaranteed the West's final three guaranteed playoff spots. Only one of those three teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round.

The conference's play-in tournament field is also all but set. The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors appear headed for the Nos. 7 and 10 seeds, respectively. And the L.A. Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers will duke it out for the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds.

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined

1.Oklahoma City Thunder

Record:57-15 |Net rating:11.1 (1st)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @BOS, CHI, NYK, DET, LAL, UTA, @LAL, @LAC, @DEN, PHX

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 2 seed

What's at stake:The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

2.San Antonio Spurs

Record:54-18 |Net rating:7.7 (4th)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 2 seed: 2

• Remaining schedule: @MEM, @MIL, CHI, @GSW, @LAC, @DEN, PHI, POR, DAL, DEN

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

What's at stake:The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Western Conference semifinals.

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot

3.Los Angeles Lakers

Record:46-26 |Net rating:1.2 (14th)

• Magic number for No. 3 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @IND, BKN, WAS, CLE, @OKC, @DAL, OKC, @GSW, PHX, UTA

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What's at stake:The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

4.Denver Nuggets

Record:45-28 |Net rating:4.4 (7th)

• Magic number for No. 4 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: DAL, UTA, GSW, @UTA, SAS, POR, MEM, OKC, @SAS

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

5.Minnesota Timberwolves

Record:44-28 |Net rating:3.6 (10th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 10

• Remaining schedule: HOU, DET, @DAL, @DET, @PHI, CHA, @IND, @ORL, @HOU, NOP

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

6.Houston Rockets

Record:43-28 |Net rating:4.0 (9th)

• Magic number for No. 6 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: @MIN, @MEM, @NOP, NYK, MIL, UTA, @GSW, @PHX, PHI, MIN, MIN

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

7.Phoenix Suns

Record:40-33 |Net rating:1.0 (15th)

• Magic number for No. 7 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: UTA, @MEM, @ORL, @CHA, @CHI, HOU, DAL, @LAL, @OKC

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 7 seed and home-court advantage against the No. 8 seed in their opening game of the play-in tournament.

8.Los Angeles Clippers

Record:36-36 |Net rating:1.0 (16th)

• Magic number for No. 8 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: TOR, @IND, @MIL, POR, SAS, @SAC, DAL, OKC, @POR, GSW

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

9.Portland Trail Blazers

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: MIL, DAL, WAS, @LAC, NOP, @DEN, @SAS, LAC, SAC

• Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What's at stake:The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

10.Golden State Warriors

• Magic number for No. 10 seed: 3

• Remaining schedule: @DAL, BKN, WAS, @DEN, SAS, CLE, HOU, SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC

• Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed

• Lowest possible finish: Out of the postseason

What's at stake:The No. 10 seed and a berth in the play-in tournament.

Still technically alive

12.Memphis Grizzlies

Record:24-47 |Net rating:-3.8 (22nd)

What's at stake:Lottery odds!

Wednesday's games of consequence (all times Eastern)

• Lakers at Pacers, 7 p.m.

• Thunder at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

• Spurs at Grizzlies, 8 p.m.
  MEM is eliminated from postseason contention with a loss or a GSW win

• Rockets at Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m.

• Mavericks at Nuggets, 10 p.m.

• Nets at Warriors, 10 p.m.
  GSW is locked into the play-in tournament with a loss, a MEM loss and a HOU win

• Bucks at Blazers, 10 p.m.

• Raptors at Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

byNeo

in

March 25, 2026

NBA playoff picture: All of the scenarios and stakes for postseason contenders down the stretch run

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2026 World Cup tickets: FIFA announces date for 'last-minute' sale

2026 World Cup tickets will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 1, FIFA has announced.

The "Last-Minute Sales Phase" will begin the day after the final six spots at the World Cup are confirmed. Four European teams and two teams from an intercontinental playoff will earn World Cup berths in playoff finals on Tuesday, March 31.

FIFA's announcement marks the beginning of the final phase of ticket sales for this summer's tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Subject to availability, fans will be able to immediately purchase any tickets remaining for World Cup games starting April 1 and going through the end of the tournament.

The most recent phase of ticket sales ran from Dec. 11 to Jan. 13, with FIFA saying that it received more than 500 million requests. Fans who who were successful were notified starting on Feb. 5.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the final phase of World Cup ticket sales:

Where can I buy World Cup tickets?

Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis viaFIFA.com/ticketsstarting on April 1.

FIFA has said fans should visit that website often, as tickets that are temporarily unavailable may become available again at a later date.

Can I get specific seats?

Unlike previous sales phases, fans will be able to select specific seats for World Cup games.

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Previously, fans were only able to select one of four categories:

• Category 1: The highest-priced seats, located primarily in the lower tier

• Category 2: Positioned outside of Category 1 areas, available in both lower and upper tiers

• Category 3: Located outside of Category 1 and 2 areas, typically in the upper tier

• Category 4: The most affordable category, located outside of Categories 1–3, and positioned in the upper tier

Starting April 1, fans who purchased tickets in one of the aforementioned four categories will be able to see the exact location of their tickets for the first time.

What about the resale market?

World Cup tickets will be available through a number of third-party resellers, but FIFA is encouraging fans to use its in-house resale/exchange marketplace.

According to FIFA, its marketplace "enables fans who can no longer attend matches to sell their tickets to other fans in a secure and authorized environment, safeguarding against invalid or unauthorized resale."

Of course, the marketplace will be used not just by fans who can no longer attend matches, but also those looking to make a profit on high-demand games.

The FIFA resale marketplace will open on Thursday, April 2.

When is the 2026 World Cup?

The World Cup gets underway on June 11 as Mexico hosts South Africa at the Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. The tournament will run all the way through July 19, when the final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

This year's tournament will be the biggest in history, featuring 48 teams for the first time. The 104 games will be spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the U.S. hosting 78 matches.

The host cities for the 2026 World Cup are as follows:

• United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle

• Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey

• Canada: Toronto, Vancouver

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 World Cup tickets: FIFA announces date for general sale

byNeo

in

March 25, 2026

2026 World Cup tickets: FIFA announces date for 'last-minute' sale

2026 World Cup tickets will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 11 a.m. ET...

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76ers' Paul George back from suspension for failed drug test, ready for late-season playoff push

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George was set to return to the Philadelphia76ers' lineupfollowing a 25-game suspension for afailed drug testand play Wednesday night against Chicago.

The Sixers went 13-12 in his absence and began the day at 39-33 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.

George was suspended in late January for violating the terms of the NBA's anti-drug program.

In hisfirst public remarks since the suspension, George apologized Tuesday to the team, its fans and his family for the poor judgement that led to his flunked test.

"To let people down hurt more than kind of anything," George said.

He said his choice to take a banned substance was connected to a mental health issue that developed because of an offseason knee injury that limited his production this season.

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"The most difficult thing is when your body isn't where you know it needs to be or where it once was," George said. "That leads and bleeds into the mental side of things, knowing that you're limited. But for me, I feel good, my body is feeling great. Mentally, I know I'm capable of doing what I can do and what I've been able to on the court for years."

George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers. He had one of his best games of the season in the week he was suspended, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in awin over Milwaukee.

The 35-year-old George signed a$212 million, four-year contractin free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.

The Sixers also said two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid was questionable against the Bulls after he missed the last 13 games with a right oblique strain. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has missed nine straight games with a right finger tendon strain.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

byNeo

in

March 25, 2026

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George was set to return to the Philadelphia76ers' lineupfollowing a 25-game suspension for ...

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Reports: Brad Stevens turns down North Carolina overtures

Brad Stevens plans to continue to pilot the front office of the Boston Celtics and declined to interview for the coaching vacancy at North Carolina, according to CBS Sports.

The former Butler coach hasn't had a sideline role since 2021 but reportedly was among high-profile targets of the Tar Heels after Hubert Davis was fired on Tuesday.

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CBS reported Stevens passed on talking with the North Carolina search committee that also has been linked to Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, Michigan coach Dusty May, Iowa State's TJ Otzelberger and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

Currently president of basketball operations for the Celtics, Stevens, 49, has been a common target for high-profile college coaching jobs. He has been named as a candidate for the job at his home-state university, Indiana, on multiple occasions, but each time turned down the opportunity.

--Field Level Media

byNeo

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March 25, 2026

Reports: Brad Stevens turns down North Carolina overtures

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Most Americans say US military action against Iran has gone too far, a new AP-NORC poll finds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe recentU.S. military action against Iranhas gone too far, and many are worried about affording gasoline, according to a new AP-NORC poll.

Iran War

As the war launched by the U.S. and Israel continues in its fourth week, the survey fromThe Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Researchindicates that while President Donald Trump's approval rating is holding steady, the conflict could be swiftly turning into a major political liability for his Republican administration.

While Trump isdeploying more warships and troopsto the Middle East, about 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has been excessive.

Meanwhile, 45% are "extremely" or "very" concerned about being able to afford gas in the next few months, up from 30% inan AP-NORC pollconducted shortly after Trump won reelection withpromises that he would improve the economyand lower the cost of living.

There is significant support for at least one ofthe president's objectives, which is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. About two-thirds of Americans say that should be an "extremely" or "very" important foreign policy goal for the U.S. However, they are just as likely to say it's important to keep U.S. oil and gas prices from rising — a juxtaposition that could be difficult for the White House to manage.

About 4 in 10 U.S. adults continue to approve of Trump's performance as president, which is unchanged from last month. His approval on foreign policy, while slightly lower than his overall approval, also largely held steady.

Trump has left unclearhis next steps on Iran. Despite escalating threats, he's also suggesteddiplomatic talkscould resolve the fighting. Americans remain broadly apprehensive about Trump's ability to make the right decisions on the use of military force outside the U.S., and they mostly oppose more aggressive steps, such as deploying ground forces.

Republicans and Democrats prioritize keeping gas prices low

Keepingthe price at the pumpdown is the rare goal that unites Americans in both major political parties.

About three-quarters of Republicans and about two-thirds of Democrats say it's highly important to prevent U.S. oil and gas prices from going up.

However, concern about the current situation isn't evenly felt. Only about 3 in 10 Republicans said they're "extremely" or "very" worried about affording gas in the next few months, as opposed to about 6 in 10 Democrats.

Trump's focus on Iran's nuclear program also appears more compelling to Republicans than to Democrats. About two-thirds of Americans say the U.S. should prioritize keeping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but about 8 in 10 Republicans say this is at least "very" important, compared with about half of Democrats.

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The war has exacerbated political debates over the role that Israel should play in U.S. foreign policy, especially since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasa leading voicefor attacking Iran. Only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say preventing Iran from threatening Israel should be a high priority.

Toppling Iran's leaders is viewed as slightly less important. Only about 3 in 10 say it's at least "very" important for the U.S. to replace Iran's government with one that's friendlier to U.S. interests.

Most Americans say US action has gone too far in Iran

As Trumpprovides mixed messageson whether the Iran war will end soon, about 9 in 10 Democrats and about 6 in 10 independents say the Iran attacks have "gone too far."

Republicans are more divided. About half of Republicans say the U.S. military action has been "about right," but relatively few want to see it go further. Only about 2 in 10 Republicans say the U.S. military action has not gone far enough, while about one-quarter say it's gone too far.

Recent AP-NORC pollinghas found that about 6 in 10 Americans say Trump has "gone too far" on a range of issues, including his approach to tariffs and presidential power. That number, which is broadly reflective of his overall approval, signals that while Trump's actions in Iran are unpopular, it's still comparable to other controversial moves he's taken as president.

Further entrenching the U.S. in the war could change that, depending on what happens next. About 6 in 10 Americans "somewhat" or "strongly" oppose deploying U.S. troops on the ground to fight Iran, including about 8 in 10 Democrats and roughly half of Republicans. Just under half of Americans oppose airstrikes targeting Iranian leaders and airstrikes against military targets in Iran, while about 3 in 10 are in favor and about 3 in 10 don't have an opinion.

Many Americans distrust Trump on use of military force abroad

About half of U.S. adults have "only a little" trust or "none at all" in Trump when it comes to making the right decisions about the use of military force outside the U.S., in line withan AP-NORC pollfrom February.

About 34% of U.S. adults approve of the way Trump is handling foreign policy, similar to 36% in February. That measure has been consistent in recent months despite a cascade of actions, including confrontations over Greenland and an attack on Venezuela, that have generated controversy at home and abroad.

It's also very similar to Trump's approval on Iran in the new poll, which found that 35% of Americans have a positive view of his handling of that issue.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,150 adults was conducted March 19-23 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

byNeo

in

March 25, 2026

Most Americans say US military action against Iran has gone too far, a new AP-NORC poll finds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe recentU.S. military action against Iranhas gone too far, and many are worried ab...

Read More