Today is the last day of the 2001-02 regular season and though 14 teams have already clinched berths in the postseason, there's still a free-for-all going on -- particularly in the East -- for a first-round reservation and playoff positions. NBA.com breaks down who's still in contention and the outlook for those playoff-hopefuls. For complete standings, tiebreakers, current matchups and remaining games, check out the NBA Playoff Picture. Also, to see who would play who if the season ended today, check out NBA.com's NBA Playoffs 2002 Bracket.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
* Clinched playoff spot
** Clinched division and playoff spot
***Clinched conference and playoff spot
TEAM
RECORD
GB
STK (L10)
GR (H/A)
BREAKDOWN
1
51-30***
--
L2 (6-4)
1 (0/1)
BIG GAMES: at N.Y. (4/17) NETS NOTES: Nets drop meaningless game to Pistons on Tuesday. With Detroit's loss to San Antonio on Friday night, New Jersey locked up the East's top spot.
2
49-32**
2
W2 (7-3)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Mil (4/17) PISTONS NOTES: Pistons have winning records against Raptors and Pacers; are 1-2 with one to play against Bucks.
3
48-33*
3
W3 (8-2)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Atl (4/17) CELTICS NOTES: Celtics won season series with the Hornets, 2-1.
4
44-37*
7
W1 (6-4)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Mia (4/17) MAGIC NOTES: Orlando controls own destiny and will earn the fourth spot and homecourt advantage in the first round with win vs. Heat.
5
43-38*
8
L1 (5-5)
1 (0/1)
BIG GAMES: at Ind (4/17) SIXERS NOTES: Philly can still earn the fourth position with win against Pacers, Magic loss and Hornets win to create a three-team tie in their favor.
6
43-38*
8
W1 (6-4)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Chi (4/17) HORNETS NOTES: Hornets lose tie-breaker with Philadelphia after losing season series, 3-1.
7
41-40
10
W2 (3-7)
1 (0/1)
BIG GAMES: at Det (4/17) BUCKS NOTES: Earn seventh spot with win; earn eighth spot with loss and if Raptors OR the Pacers win; going home early with loss and if Raptors AND Pacers win.
8
41-40
10
L1 (8-2)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Cle (4/17) RAPTORS NOTES: Raptors can earn seventh or eighth spot; miss postseason only if they lose and Bucks and Pacers win or if they and Bucks lose and Pacers win.
9
41-40
10
W4 (6-4)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Phi (4/17) PACERS NOTES: Pacers earn seventh spot with win and Bucks AND Raptors losses; earn eighth spot with win and Bucks OR Raptors loss.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
* Clinched playoff spot
TEAM
RECORD
GB
STK (L10)
GR (H/A)
BREAKDOWN
1
61-20***
--
W1(9-1)
1 (0/1)
BIG GAMES: at LAL (4/17) KINGS NOTES: Kings dismantled the Clippers on Friday to earn the Western Conference's top spot and homecourt advantage throughout NBA Playoffs 2002.
2
57-24*
4
W8 (8-2)
1 (0/1)
BIG GAMES: at Uta (4/17) SPURS NOTES: Spurs win tie-breaker with Mavs and thus can clinch Midwest Division and second spot in the West with win at the Jazz.
3
57-24*
3.5
W1 (7-3)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Sac (4/17) LAKERS NOTES: Despite Portland loss Sunday, look ready to defend their title after schooling Sonics, Jazz and Timberwolves; own tie-breaker with Dallas.
4
57-24*
4
W3 (8-2)
1 (0/1)
BIG GAMES: at Phx (4/17) MAVS NOTES: Bad home loss to Rockets Thursday dropped them out of Midwest Division lead as Spurs hold tie-breaker with 3-1 season series win.
5
49-32*
12
L1 (6-4)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Den (4/17) WOLVES NOTES: Looking at Spurs or Mavs in first round, and either series could be close; 4-4 vs. those teams this season.
6
48-33*
13
W2 (4-6)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Hou (4/17) BLAZERS NOTES: Blazers upend Lakers in double OT on Sunday to even season series at 2-2 and likely will face Lakers in first-round matchup.
7
44-37*
17
L1 (5-5)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: SA (4/17) JAZZ NOTES: Tough game with Spurs left, but Jazz own tie-breaker with Sonics so seventh spot theirs for the taking.
8
44-37*
17
L3 (4-6)
1 (1/0)
BIG GAMES: Mem (4/17) SONICS NOTES: Recent losses to Mavs, Knicks, Suns have Sonics looking ragged; good news: Seattle split season series, 2-2, with Kings.