The NBA regular season is all set for a dramatic finale. While many playoff seedings have already been locked in, there remains much to be decided in the wild Western Conference, with the No 5 to No 9 seeds still up in the air.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ fate is undoubtedly the big storyline. The Lakers are in the 7-8 play-in game whether they win or lose their last game against the Utah Jazz. But there’s still a chance that LeBron James and co can move up to the No 6 seed and avoid the play-in tournament if other NBA 2023 results go their way.
The defending champion Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves are also still jockeying for valuable seedings.
So read on below as SBOTO previews the six most important matchups in what could be a wild last day of the NBA regular season.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Brooklyn Nets
The Sixers and Nets are locked into the No 3 and No 6 seeds respectively in the East and will thus meet each other in the first round of the playoffs.
However, this game is unlikely to be much of a preview of that series, with MVP front-runner Joel Embiid, as well as other Sixers stars expected to sit out.
As for the Nets, this is an opportunity to pick up some more momentum ahead of their first-round matchup. Brooklyn have won back-to-back games and five of their last six.
Although, star man Mikal Bridges has hit a shooting slump in April. While he’s still averaging 25.5 points, Bridges’ shooting percentages have slumped to 35 per cent from the field and 14 per cent on 3-pointers in his last four games.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Minnesota Timberwolves
The Pelicans and Timberwolves are set for perhaps the most consequential matchup of the NBA regular season finale. The two teams are currently No 8 and No 9 in the West, but the winner of this game could potentially finish even higher should other results go their way.
The Pelicans have gone on an incredible 9-2 stretch in their last 11 games to break into the playoff picture, and they are coming off another impressive 113-105 win over the New York Knicks. Trey Murphy led the team with 31 points, his second straight 30-point game.
As for the Wolves, they have won back-to-back games after their recent three-game slide. Stars Anthony Edwards and Karl Towns have come to their rescue, with Edwards averaging 30 points over his last three games.
Sacramento Kings @ Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have nothing left to play for after clinching the No 1 seed in the West despite going just 1-5 in their last six games. Neither do the Kings, who are locked in to the No 3 seed.
But none of the two teams’ starters are listed on their injury reports, so there is still a slight chance that they play.
Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has been out of form in April, and he might use this final regular season game to get back on track.
Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers still have all to play for in the finals. They still have a shot at jumping up to sixth – and avoiding the play-in – with a win and other results going their way, while a loss would see them finish no lower than eighth.
The Lakers will like their chances of beating the Jazz, who have lost eight of their last 10 games. Although, a less-than-full-strength Utah team still pushed the Lakers close in their most recent meeting. LA needed a game-winner from LeBron James to pull out a 135-133 win in overtime.
James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable to play against the Jazz, but with so much still at stake, chances are they will both play.
LA Clippers @ Phoenix Suns
The Clippers face a bit of a conundrum. They are currently in fifth place in the West and are slated to face Kevin Durant and the fourth-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round.
Losing to the Suns in their regular season finale would see the Clippers drop to sixth and possibly seventh, which would mean the play-in tournament.
The Clippers are no strangers to tanking in order to get their preferred playoff matchup, so don’t be surprised if Kawhi Leonard and other Clippers stars sit out against the Suns.
But the Suns are ready to play that game as well. They lost their first game since acquiring Kevin Durant as they fell 121-107 to the Lakers. Durant, Chris Paul and Devin Booker all sat out the game and also will miss the Clippers game.
Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers
The Warriors’ situation is simple: beat the tanking Blazers and clinch a top-six seed. And they could even climb to fifth if they win and the Clippers lose to the severely shorthanded Suns.
The Warriors have been atrocious away from home this season (10-30) but the NBA 2023 betting odds should have them as overwhelming favourites against the lowly Blazers, who have gone a mere 2-14 in their last 16 games and have long shut down superstar Damian Lillard.
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