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| The Clippers can still grab the 2 seed from the Thunder, so they'll need to avoid fighting when these two teams meet this week. |
Wednesday April 9, 2014 7pm
Both teams have clinched playoff berths, but positioning is still at stake between the two teams. The Bobcats are in the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, making it for the first time in the 2009-2010 season. The Wizards are in the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-2008 season, so both teams have made solid improvement from a season ago. The Wizards are currently holding the 6 seed while the Bobcats are a game behind them and currently occupying the 7 seed. Earlier in the season, teams may have wanted to avoid the 7 or 8 seed because that meant playing the Heat or Pacers in the first round. However, with the Pacers struggling badly lately, it may not be a bad thing to see them in the first round. For the Bobcats and Wizards, would they rather face the Pacers or Raptors in the first round?
Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday April 9, 2014 8pm ESPN
The Grizzlies entered Sunday holding the 8th and final seed in the Western Conference. However, they're tied with the Suns, so they need wins to pull ahead and stay in playoff positioning. For the Heat, they're looking to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With the Pacers struggling, it appears that will happen. This game is more about the Grizzlies than it is the Heat. Many people forget the Grizzlies were in the Western Conference Finals last season. They may not be in the playoffs this season. If they can beat the Heat, it would be big for their confidence.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Wednesday April 9, 2014 10:30pm ESPN
The Clippers can still obtain the 2 seed in the Western Conference, with the Thunder holding a slight lead currently. The Clippers also hold an advantage in the season series between the two teams as well, so this game is more important for the Thunder to stay ahead. If the Clippers win this game, and both teams end the regular season with identical records, the Clippers would have home court advantage over the Thunder in a potential second-round matchup. The Thunder are capable of beating the Clippers, with or without home court advantage. However, nothing is guaranteed but having home court advantage in any series can only help.
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
Friday April 11, 2014 7:30pm NBATV
The Pacers struggles are well documented right now. They hold a season series advantage over the Heat, but a Heat win would even that up. The Pacers need this win desperately for numerous reasons. For one, it could help them capture the top seed in the conference by owning the tiebreaker. Secondly, the Pacers need a win against a marquee team for their confidence. They are just doubting themselves right now, and this is the worst time to be struggling. If the Heat are able to rout the Pacers, it may indicate the trade that sent Danny Granger to the 76ers for Evan Turner was a trade that probably shouldn't have been made.
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs
Friday April 11, 2014 8:30pm
This is a difficult game for the Suns as they look to get in the playoffs for the first time since Amare Stoudemire was there. The Spurs have been rolling, just recently having their 19 game winning streak broken. They are playing well at the right time, and the signing of Marco Bellineli is one of the more underrated free agency moves this past offseason. The Suns made some low key moves as well, and they have shocked most NBA fans. It would be a heartbreak if the Suns were unable to make the playoffs, as they have a lot of people cheering for their success. They have to get it done on the court, and they may get lucky as the Spurs have a game against the Mavericks the night before. Beating the Mavericks will help the Suns, and the Spurs will probably rest Tony Parker and Tim Duncan on the second night of back-to-backs.
Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks
Saturday April 12, 2014 8:30pm NBATV
The Suns are fighting with the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Warriors and Trailblazers for a playoff spot. Since these teams will only face each other three times this year, this game is very important as the season series is tied. The winner of this game could very well be in the playoffs. The loser of this game could very well be starting their vacation earlier than expected. Dirk Nowitzki did proclaim this year the Mavericks are not a playoff team. However, they've done well, but Nowitzki could be right if they can't get some wins together in this final stretch.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers
Sunday April 13, 2014 1pm ABC
These two played in Oklahoma City in early December and the Thunder routed the Pacers when the Pacers were playing their best basketball. They're now playing their worst basketball of the season, and this could be a game that gets the Pacers back on track as the postseason nears. However, this could also be a game where the Pacers are blown out yet again, and a lot of eyebrows are being raised. The Pacers don't have much competition in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but that doesn't mean they can't get beat in a seven-game series. If the Pacers make it to the second round, they could be playing the Bulls or Raptors, two teams who are playing better than the Pacers right now. The Pacers have to figure out a way to straighten up.
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trailblazers
Sunday April 13, 2014 9pm
Stephen Curry scored 37 points and Klay Thompson added 27 points the last time the Warriors played in Portland. Thompson also hit the game-winner, so the Trailblazers should be looking for a little payback. However, payback is minuscule when considering what both teams are playing for. The Trailblazers have a narrow lead over the Warriors for the 5 seed, and the Trailblazers would like to keep that position. A 5 seed presents a matchup with the Rockets, which most teams would take with the Rockets struggling a little right now. Facing the Clippers, as a 6 seed, could be daunting as the Clippers are turning it up right now and playing very good basketball. If the Trailblazers play horribly, there's a slight chance they could be out of the playoff picture as well. I doubt it, but if that were to happen, that would be one of the biggest collapses in NBA history.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns
Monday April 14, 2014 10pm
This could be the game that decides which team makes the playoffs. The Grizzlies have played good basketball since Marc Gasol returned from injury. The Suns have played the past couple of months without Eric Bledsoe as well, so they're thrilled to have him healthy and ready to help push the Suns into the playoffs. The Grizzlies aren't good playing an uptempo style, so their defense will need to be at its very best to beat the Suns. The Grizzlies have the season series already in their favor, winning the first three matchups already. A win by the Suns won't change anything, so the Suns will need a better record at the end of the regular season to be ahead of the Grizzlies and be in the playoffs. This should be intense.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday April 16, 2014 8pm
The final game of the regular season always has at least one game that determines seeding or who gets into the postseason. This game is it right here. The Grizzlies are fortunate to have this game at home, as the Mavericks have handled them pretty well this season. This game is currently not nationally televised, but that could change as the week progresses. ESPN would want to show a game that has playoff ramifications, and this game is one of the few that has true playoff ramifications. If this game is for the playoffs, expect Dirk Nowitzki to find the ball in his hands often and use his experience in lifting the Mavericks to a key road victory. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have good experience together, including reaching the Western Conference Finals last year. We'll see what gives.
