With the addition of play-in games to the 2021 NBA playoffs, the scramble for seeding is wilder -- and more important -- than ever, with almost every game down the stretch having significant postseason implications.
Play-in matchups after Friday's games
Play-in games to be held Tuesday through Friday of next week
• How the play-in tournament will work
EAST
Game 1: No. 8 Charlotte Hornets at No. 7 Boston Celtics -- winner is No. 7 seed in playoffs; loser moves on in play-in
Game 2: No. 10 Washington Wizards at No. 9 Indiana Pacers -- winner moves on in play-in; loser is eliminated
Game 3: Wizards/Pacers winner at Celtics/Hornets loser -- winner is No. 8 seed in playoffs
WEST
Game 1: No. 8 Golden State Warriors at No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers -- winner is No. 7 seed in playoffs; loser moves on in play-in
Game 2: No. 10 San Antonio Spurs at No. 9 Memphis Grizzlies -- winner moves on in play-in; loser is eliminated
Game 3: Grizzlies/Spurs winner at Lakers/Warriors loser -- winner is No. 8 seed in playoffs
Teams that clinched Friday
Wizards clinched a play-in spot
Mavericks clinched either the 5th or 6th spot
Already in
EAST
Playoff spots: Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks
Play-in spots (seeds 7-10): Celtics, Hornets, Pacers, Wizards
WEST
Playoff spots: Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks
Play-in spots: Warriors, Grizzlies, Spurs
TBD: Portland Trail Blazers, Lakers
Here's a breakdown of the key games from Friday and what the results mean for the seedings:
Sixers 122, Magic 97
The top seed in the East is officially settled, and it belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers. With a win over the Magic on Friday, the Sixers have clinched home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, and maybe more importantly, positioned themselves on the opposite side of the bracket from the Nets and Bucks.
It's the first time the Sixers have been the top seed since 2001, when Allen Iverson led them throughout the playoffs to the NBA Finals against the Lakers.
Who Philly plays in the first round will be determined through the play-in, with the Celtics, Hornets, Pacers and Wizards all in play for the 8-seed.
Taking the top seed is a boost, but not necessarily an accomplishment for the Sixers, with coach Doc Rivers downplaying its importance earlier in the week.
"I don't look at the No. 1 seed as being this great achievement," Rivers said. "I just think it's great to have because of home-court [advantage]. The achievement is winning [the championship]." -- Royce Young
Wizards 120, Cavaliers 105
With a win against the Cavaliers, the Washington Wizards have settled the final play-in spot for the East, securing at least a top-10 seed and, therefore, eliminating the Chicago Bulls.
It has been a striking turnaround for the Wizards, who on April 5 were 17-32 and outside the East's playoff picture. Since then, they've gone 16-6, which featured a seven-game winning streak, boosting them into the top 10.
With a game to go, there's still more to play for as the Wizards are a game behind the Hornets and Pacers for the eighth and ninth spots. The difference between No. 8 and No. 9 is huge, obviously, going from a possible one-and-done game to needing to lose two games to be eliminated.
And guess what? The Wizards close the regular season against the Hornets on Sunday, while the Pacers finish with the Lakers (in what is a near must-win for L.A.). The Wizards hold the tiebreaker on the Pacers, which would bump them ahead if Washington closes with a win and the Lakers beat Indiana. The Hornets play the Knicks on Saturday, and with a win, lock up a higher spot than the Wizards by virtue of a 2-1 season series tiebreaker. But should the Hornets lose, it sets up a massive seeding game between Washington and Charlotte. -- Young
Rockets 122, Clippers 115
The Clippers lost to the worst team in the NBA -- and it actually isn't a bad thing.
They fell out of third place with their 122-115 loss to the Rockets and Denver's 104-91 win over Detroit. The Clippers' loss also clinched the Pacific Division for the Phoenix Suns.
The Clips used this game against Houston as a rest game (second of a back-to-back), sitting Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Patrick Beverley (hand), Reggie Jackson (Achilles) and Terance Mann (personal) did not play. Serge Ibaka, the final rotation player to return from injury, made his return after missing 30 straight games with a back issue and looked good with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes.
Denver owns the tiebreaker over the Clippers for the third seed heading into the final day of the regular season on Sunday. But the fourth seed actually could end up being the better spot because it means avoiding the Lakers, who could still move into sixth. The fourth seed will face either Dallas or Portland; both teams own the tiebreaker over the Lakers.
The Clippers would enter a matchup against Dallas or Portland with confidence. L.A. handled Dallas in the postseason last year and swept Portland this year.
The Clippers finish the season at Oklahoma City while Denver faces Portland on Sunday. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
Mavericks 114, Raptors 110
The play-in tournament won't be the Mavericks' problem. Dallas clinched a top-six finish in the West with a 114-110 win Friday over what remains of the Toronto Raptors.
The victory gave the Mavs a 1½-game cushion over the Los Angeles Lakers with only a road trip to Minnesota remaining on Dallas' regular-season schedule. The Mavs can claim the fifth seed with a win over the Timberwolves or a Portland loss Sunday to the Nuggets.
The sixth seed is still within the Lakers' reach if L.A. wins out and the Trail Blazers lose at home to the Nuggets.
But the Nuggets might not be too motivated to win that game, considering it could lead to a first-round matchup with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending champions. -- Tim MacMahon