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The end is here. The NBA 2017-18 Regular Season has only three days remaining and there are some very important games that will decide seeding in the playoffs and in some cases, whether or not a team is in the playoffs. While the Eastern Conference is set and the Clippers were officially eliminated from playoff contention, there is one spot up for grabs in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs would be disastrous for some of the teams involved. Let's get to the games.
Monday, April 9th
Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat (7:30PM EST)
This is the second and final game of the season series between these two teams. The Thunder won the first match-up in Oklahoma City by 6 points.
This game is very important for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Needing at least one more win to be sure of their playoff spot after a big win on Saturday in Houston, this could be a chance for the Thunder to move up drastically in the playoff seeding. As it stands, they are currently 7th and are at a disadvantage in most tie-breakers. Only a half game back from 4th seeded Utah and just two games back from the Blazers for the 3rd seed means that the Thunder could get the 4th seed and have home court advantage in the 1st round if they are able to win their last two games.
The Miami Heat are in an interesting position. They are currently 6th in the East and are tied with 7th seeded Milwaukee, but they hold the tie-breaker. As the 6th seed, they will face the 76ers or the Cavaliers, but dropping to the 7th seed gets them a series with a Boston team with no Kyrie Irving or Marcus Smart. Losing this game could be advantageous for the Heat, but the Heat are not the type of team to fear a first round match-up with anybody. At home this season, the Heat have been quite good and despite Hassan Whiteside's frustration, they are a team that is going to make you work for everything.
Tuesday, April 10th
Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz (9PM EST)
This is the fourth and final game of the season series between these two teams. The Warriors won the first game by 25 points, but dropped the second and third games by 30 points and 19 points, respectively.
The Golden State Warriors are entering the playoffs with their dominance being questioned more and more each day. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games including dropping two in a row, which puts their record at 57-23 assuring they will not reach the 60 win mark for the first time in three years. While it can be easy for the vultures to start to circle the Warriors, it is another thing for a team to win four games out of seven against them. Golden State does not need this game, but it is hard to see them rest players when they have played so poorly lately.
The Utah Jazz are a team that has had some real success against the Warriors and they have been arguably the best team in the league over the last few months. They have a recipe that will make them a tough playoff out, a dominant defense with veterans that are not going to be overwhelmed by the moment. The only knock against them is that they might rely on Donovan Mitchell a great deal and it will be his first time in the playoffs. The Jazz still have something to play for and would love to get this game. They are only a game and a half behind Portland for the three seed and getting that would allow the Jazz to possibly play the Warriors in the 2nd round.
Wednesday, April 11th
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (8PM EST)
This is the fourth and final game of the season series between these two teams. The Timberwolves won the first two games by 8 points and by 3 points in overtime, respectively. Minnesota dropped the third game last week by 4 points. Both of these teams are tied with a record of 45-35, but Minnesota currently holds the tie-breaker having won two of the three head to head games thus far. If both teams win their next game, that sets this game up as winner gets in and loser is out if all other teams maintain their positioning. However, if Minnesota wins their next game and Denver loses this game doesn't matter and Minnesota would be in no matter what happens.
The Nuggets have to be kicking themselves for those losses to the Grizzlies and Mavericks in March, but they have rebounded nicely and have won five in a row heading into an important game with Portland on Monday. They have to win that game to give themselves a shot. If they win their next two games, they are in the playoffs, but a loss would end their season. Missing the playoffs could spell the end for Mike Malone as head coach, but getting into the playoffs could keep him around.
The Timberwolves were supposed to be a shoe-in, but Jimmy Butler's injury hurt this team greatly. Butler is now back and was big for the Wolves in a 17 point win in Los Angeles and now he is tasked with helping Minnesota make sure they are in the playoffs. Minnesota still has a shot to improve their seeding if they get some help from other teams. They hold the tie-breaker over the Pelicans and Thunder giving them a chance to jump multiple spots if either of those teams loses one of their next two games. The Timberwolves would love to avoid Houston in the 1st round if possible.