- Date: May 2018
- Teams: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
QView
The 2018 Western Conference playoff picture came down to the final night of the regular season; not only for seeding purposes, but a play-in game between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves for the eighth seed, where Minny ended its 14-year playoff drought with an overtime win. The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors locked up the top two seeds for the last couple months of the season, with Houston clinching the top spot. The Portland Trail Blazers held onto third for the last few weeks, defeating a red-hot Utah Jazz team in the season finale to stay put. Due to tie-breakers, the Oklahoma City Thunder jumped from the seventh seed to fourth after their final game and will host a first round series. The Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs, who like the Thunder were bouncing up and down the standings like pinballs for weeks, landed in the 5, 6 and 7 spots, respectively. The NBA's Western Conference Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 14. Don't miss the chance to see your team's road to the NBA Finals!
- Date: May 2018
- Teams: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
QView
The 2018 Eastern Conference playoff picture was framed but the photo wasn't clear until the last night of the season. The eight teams were clinched for a couple of weeks but the last few jockeyed for positioning through 82 games. The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics locked up the 1 and 2 seeds, respectively. Boston's season should be considered a success with the number of players they've missed, beginning with Gordon Hayward's season-ending injury in the season opener. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers rode a 16-game winning streak to the finish line to take the third seed from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Arguably the league's biggest surprise, the Indiana Pacers finished fifth in the East behind first-time All-Star Victor Oladipo. The Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards finished 6, 7 and 8, respectively. The NBA's Eastern Conference Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 14. Don't miss the chance to see your team's road to the NBA Finals!