The NBA playoff race is heating up, as some teams scramble to put together a much-needed run, while others sit pretty atop the standings with little in their rearview.
Want to know which teams are going head-to-head this week as we near the final stretch of the regular season? We have the five marquee matchups that you won't want to miss.
(Games from March 28 to April 3)
Boston Celtics at L.A. Clippers
When: Monday, March 28 at 10:30 pm ET on NBA TV
Season series: Boston leads 1-0
The matchup: The first matchup between these two teams was a high-scoring affair, as Boston snuck away with a 139-134 victory in overtime behind a 36-point, 11-assist performance from Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics enter the week on a four-game win streak, looking to reclaim the third place spot in the Eastern Conference standings (1/2 game behind Atlanta), while the Clippers' fate is all but settled, as they sit 5 1/2 games behind Oklahoma City and 4 1/2 games ahead of Memphis in the West's fourth place spot. But with the recent news that Blake Griffin is cleared to play and will be back in the lineup after serving his four-game suspension, they look to head into the postseason with a full head of steam, and a win at home against a tough Boston team would be a great place to start.
Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors
When: Tuesday, March 29 at 10:30 pm ET on TNT
Season series: Golden State leads 1-0
The matchup: The odds of the Wizards heading to Oracle Arena and stealing a win from the Warriors are slim to none, but crazier things have happened in the world of sports, and regardless of the outcome, fans should be in for a treat. Stephen Curry went off for 51 points on 11-of-15 from the perimeter in the first meeting with Washington this season in early February, while John Wall put together a 41-point, 11-assist stat line of his own. The Wizards still have postseason hopes (2 1/2 games out of eighth place), and won't go down without a fight.
L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder
When: Thursday, March 31 at 9:30 pm ET on TNT
Season series: Oklahoma City leads 2-1
The matchup: In the first game of the season series, the Thunder snuck away with a one-point victory thanks to some late game heroics from Kevin Durant. In the second game, the Clippers ended on a 26-5 run to win by five. In the third and most recent matchup, the Thunder won behind a gaudy 25-point, 19-assist, 11-rebound performance from Russell Westbrook. Although the third and fourth place spots in the Western Conference is more than likely where these two teams will finish, the fourth and final matchup of the season should be a doozy.
Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls
When: Saturday, April 2 at 8 pm ET on NBA TV
Season series: Detroit leads 2-1
The matchup: If the season ended today, the Bulls would be absent from the postseason for the first time in eight years. They start the week in ninth place in the East, trailing the Pistons by two games. Needless to say, this is a pivotal game for their postseason hopes.
Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors
When: Sunday, April 3 at 8 pm ET on NBA TV
Season series: Golden State leads 2-1
The matchup: After suffering a 105-137 loss to Portland in February, the Warriors responded with a 128-112 win on March 11 in a game that sidelined Andre Iguodala with an ankle injury. If they can finish the week with wins against Washington, Utah, Boston, and Portland, they would hold a 70-7 record, with two games each against San Antonio and Memphis left on the plate and a 73-win season at their fingertips.
Follow AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK
