Friday marks the first of two days where all 30 teams will be in action on the hardwood to conclude the 2023-24 regular season. These settings tend to create a lot of playoff and play-in scenarios, especially when the standings in both conferences are bunched up the way they are this season. Here’s a look at how the results of Friday’s games can set up the playoff and play-in bracket in both conferences.
Eastern Conference
The Pacers and Cavaliers are playing each other, with the winner of that game clinching an automatic playoff spot. If the 76ers lose, both the Pacers and Cavaliers will clinch a playoff berth. The Magic are playing the 76ers and if Orlando wins, it will clinch a playoff berth.
The 76ers are locked into the play-in tournament with a loss. The Heat are locked into the play-in tournament with a loss or a Magic win. Given how the standings are, the 76ers and Heat would meet each other if both are locked into the play-in tournament.
Western Conference
The defending champions Nuggets can lock up the No. 1 seed in the West if they beat the Spurs and get losses by the Timberwolves and Thunder. The Pelicans can clinch the final automatic playoff berth in the West with a win and a loss from the Suns. Phoenix would be locked into the play-in tournament in that scenario.