We have finally made it to the end of the NBA season. Of the 30 NBA teams, 24 play two games this week. The other six only play once. Of course, with teams either tanking or resting for the playoffs, even the players with two games aren’t particularly likely to play more than once. At this point in the season, you have to keep one eye on the standings and one on the schedule.
Atlanta Hawks (PHI): Philadelphia is battling Cleveland for the third seed in the East, and so they should give Atlanta their best shot.
Boston Celtics (@WAS, BKN): On the one hand, Boston should probably rest all of its starters Wednesday after facing Washington the night before, but it is unclear if they have enough healthy bodies to make that happen. It will also be interesting if they try to play spoiler against the rival Wizards, especially since Boston would probably rather face Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets (CHI, @BOS): The Bulls will probably try to get blown out by the Nets for the second consecutive game, while Boston won’t have anything to play for as they prepare for the playoffs.
Charlotte Hornets (@IND): The Hornets are playing out the string, facing the Pacers for the second time in three days. This game will likely be meaningless for both teams.
Chicago Bulls (@BKN, DET): The Bulls are such a poorly run franchise, they can’t even tank correctly. Neither of their opponents can benefit from losing, but that doesn’t mean the Bulls will lose both of these games.
Cleveland Cavaliers (@NY, NY): Cleveland should easily win both of these games, though they probably can’t afford to rest LeBron James, which could be an issue in the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks (PHO): There is a chance this game doesn’t feature anyone who is an NBA rotation player. Both of these teams are resting most of their real players with injuries both real and imagined.
Denver Nuggets (POR, @MIN): Denver almost certainly needs to win both of these games to make the playoffs. If they lose to Portland, Wednesday’s game at Minnesota could be ugly.
Detroit Pistons (TOR, @CHI): Detroit plays at Memphis Sunday before hosting Toronto Monday, and they could elect to rest some starters for that game.
Golden State Warriors (@UTA): This game could have seeding implications in the West, and it could also be a second-round playoff preview. That being said, it would seem foolish for the Warriors to play any of their starters for more than half the game, if they play at all.
Houston Rockets (@LAL, @SAC): Houston finishes the season with back-to-back road games, and it seems inconceivable for their starters to play both games. They may not even play once. Gerald Green should have a field day.
Indiana Pacers (CHA): The Pacers could possibly finish with the fourth seed if they can beat Charlotte Sunday and Tuesday, though they would need help from the Cavs or 76ers. If they don’t get that help, Tuesday’s game could be meaningless for both teams.
Los Angeles Clippers (NOR, LAL): The Clippers are just playing out the string, though they could play spoiler Monday against the Pelicans.
Los Angeles Lakers (HOU, @LAC): The Lakers don’t have anything to play for, and neither do their opponents, and it seems unlikely any of their prized assets will take the floor this week.
Memphis Grizzlies (@MIN, @OKC): It is truly impressive how well the Grizzlies have tanked even while playing Marc Gasol 33 minutes per game. The future suddenly doesn’t look so bleak, even with Gasol, Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons making an obscene amount of money.
Miami Heat (OKC, TOR): Miami probably needs to win at least one of these games to avoid facing the Raptors in the first round, though finishing sixth and facing Cleveland might be even worse.
Milwaukee Bucks (ORL, @PHI): Milwaukee probably needs to avoid Cleveland if they want any chance of winning a first-round playoff series. Could they really lose a home game to the Magic to ensure they stay out of the sixth seed?
Minnesota Timberwolves (MEM, DEN): If Minnesota wins both of these games, there are in the playoffs. They should destroy Memphis, and even if they lose to Denver, expect it to be high scoring.
New Orleans Pelicans (@LAC, SA): The Pelicans need to win one of these games to clinch a playoff spot. The Clippers are eliminated, but they can’t improve their draft position by losing, either. The Spurs could clinch a playoff spot prior to Wednesday’s game, but it is possible that matchup is a must-win game for both teams.
New York Knicks (CLE, @CLE): The Knicks will be me more than happy to roll over against the Cavs twice in an effort to gain a few more ping pong balls.
Oklahoma City Thunder (@MIA, MEM): If the Thunder win one of these two games, they are in. If they clinch early, Wednesday’s game against Memphis would presumably be the Raymond Felton show.
Orlando Magic (@MIL, WAS): Orlando faces Milwaukee on the second of a back-to-back. Both of Orlando’s opponents are trying to avoid the eighth seed, though there is a chance Washington is locked in by the time they face Orlando.
Philadelphia 76ers (@ATL, MIL): Philly has these games back-to-back, and they could try to get away with resting some players at Atlanta to save them for what could be a pivotal game 82 for both teams Wednesday.
Phoenix Suns (@DAL): Most of Phoenix’s team will sit out this game, but whoever does play can rack up some stats against an equally terrible Dallas team.
Portland Trailblazers (@DEN, UTA): If Portland beats Utah, they will be the three seed, though it is possible they could clinch it before then. Might they decide to rest at Denver as a result?
San Antonio Spurs (SAC, @NOR): The Spurs need to win one of these games to clinch a playoff spot. They should take care of business at home against the Kings.
Sacramento Kings (@SA, HOU): Much like the Bulls, the Kings can’t even tank correctly. They will probably beat Houston’s scrubs Wednesday.
Toronto Raptors (@DET, @MIA): Toronto might be better off letting Miami win Wednesday in the hopes of facing Milwaukee in the first round.
Utah Jazz (GS, @POR): If Utah wins Sunday and beats Golden State Tuesday, Wednesday’s game at Portland would determine who gets the third seed. It would be extremely interesting to see how those teams balance getting the third seed with resting for the playoffs.
Washington Wizards (BOS, @ORL): Washington has clinched a playoff spot, and they think they can beat any team in the East, so they will almost certainly rest their starters for at least one of these back-to-back contests.