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The Golden State Warriors have come one step closer to securing the final Western Conference ticket to the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 133-110 to solidify their hold on the No. 10 seed in the West.
The Rockets now have six contests remaining to make up the four games sitting between them and the conference’s final playoff spot.
Here is a look at the playoff picture for both conferences heading into Friday after the Warriors’ win.
Boston Celtics (60-16)Milwaukee Bucks (47-29)Cleveland Cavaliers (46-31)Orlando Magic (45-31)New York Knicks (45-31)Indiana Pacers (43-34)Miami Heat (42-34)Philadelphia 76ers (42-35)Chicago Bulls (36-40)Atlanta Hawks (36-41)Brooklyn Nets (30-47)Toronto Raptors (23-53)Charlotte Hornets (18-58)Washington Wizards (15-62)Detroit Pistons (13-63)Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ersChicago Bulls vs. Atlanta HawksNo. 1 Boston Celtics vs. TBDNo. 4 Orlando Magic vs. No. 5 New York KnicksNo. 3 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 6 Indiana PacersNo. 2 Milwaukee Bucks vs. TBDMinnesota Timberwolves (53-23)
Denver Nuggets (53-23)
Oklahoma City Thunder (52-24)
Los Angeles Clippers (47-28)Dallas Mavericks (46-30)Phoenix Suns (45-31)New Orleans Pelicans (45-31)
Sacramento Kings (44-32)Los Angeles Lakers (44-33)Golden State Warriors (41-34)Houston Rockets (38-37)Utah Jazz (29-47)Memphis Grizzlies (26-50)Portland Trail Blazers (20-56)San Antonio Spurs (18-58)New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento KingsLos Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State WarriorsNo. 1 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. TBDNo. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas MavericksNo. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 6 Phoenix SunsNo. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. TBD
The Eastern Conference playoff picture is all but set.
The Brooklyn Nets were eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday night, confirming the Atlanta Hawks as the last Eastern Conference team heading to the playoffs.
The same night, the Boston Celtics clinched the No. 1 seed in the NBA, cementing their place on top of the East with a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder that marked the team’s 60th win of the season.
The Celtics, who are 33-3 at home so far this season, will now hold home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Meanwhile the Warriors helped Thursday to make the Western Conference bracket as conclusive as the East.
Despite the 11-game win streak that boosted the Rockets within sight of the playoffs, Thursday’s loss leaves Houston four games back of the No. 10 seed.
The Warriors meanwhile extended their own victory streak to six games thanks to 20-point performances from Klay Thompson, Steph Curry and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Golden State Warriors @warriors
Now THAT is how you close a quarter ‼️
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/rGJBjevGuj
The Sacramento Kings’ fight to climb up out of a play-in spot took a hit Thursday night with a 120-109 loss to the New York Knicks.
The loss meant the Kings failed to gain ground on the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
The Suns have recently battled their way out of the play-in round by winning six of their last eight games, including a Wednesday night victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Phoenix Suns @Suns
A reminder that basketball is fun 😁 pic.twitter.com/MKrIKLfzvs
A Friday matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves will present a major test for Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the Suns.
The top-seeded Timberwolves have plenty to play for over this final stretch as they battle the Denver Nuggets and the Thunder for the top seed in the West.
Whichever one of these top three Western Conference teams earns the most wins over the next week and a half will win the prize of playoff home advantage, at least until they run into the 60-win Celtics.
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