Last Weeks of NBA Regulation

Sarah Karlsson | 2018-03-19 |

With less than a month until the end of the NBA regular season, teams are gunning for their spot in the playoffs. Several teams have already clinched their berths, who will earn the right to compete against them in the postseason? Let’s find out.

Leading the Pack

The Raptors, Celtics, Rockets, and Warriors have all solidified their presence for the playoffs this season. The Toronto Raptors are leading the Eastern Conference and are on course to break their previous win record of 56 games. With 12 games left, they are sitting at 52 wins. The Raptors have made it to the playoffs 10 times since the team’s inception in 1995, but have never gotten to the NBA Finals. Could this be their year?

In the West, we have the Houston Rockets tearing it up with 56 wins so far. Their victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves this week gave them their 22nd win in 23 games. It was not an easily won game, however, as the Rockets nearly blew a 25 point lead.

Brought it in the 4th, but came up short.

Wolves final stats presented by @fitbit pic.twitter.com/dCnJ8gyOja

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 19, 2018

On the Bubble

With so many games left, anything can happen and only the top 8 teams in each conference go to the playoffs. The Timberwolves are hovering in 8th place, but the difference between 8th and 4th is only 4 games right now. A month ago, they lost Jimmy Butler to a knee injury. The team went from a comfortable 3rd place to the rocky position they now hold. The good news is, he may make it back before the playoffs if all continues to progress with his recovery after meniscus surgery.

“I have a little bit of time left, but I know my guys are going to stick this thing out and do what they’ve been doing, keep us in this race. And when I come back, we’ll see what we have left in the tank.”

–Jimmy Butler

The Portland Trailblazers are also pushing for their place in the postseason, winning their last 13 games in a row. Since mid January, they have been 22-5 and it looks like they aren’t slowing down any time soon.

NBA Playoffs 2018

The NBA Playoffs will run from April 14 to May 28, with the Finals set to kick off on March 31. Stay with us for the last month of NBA to see who will make it to the postseason!