The 2013 Playoff Standings shifted once again, this time with teams increasing their leads and another moving up in the conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets are all trying to better their record and attempt to take over higher seeds in the NBA playoffs. Check out where these team stands and how this affects the playoff picture in both conferences.
The Hawks are probably shocking many as they are making a firm run at the fifth seed of the Eastern Conference. They have surpassed the once comfortable Chicago Bulls. The Hawks have won two consecutive games while the Bulls are losers of two consecutive games. As a result, with two games remaining in the season, with a Bulls loss and Hawks victory, Atlanta can win the fifth seed and face the Brooklyn Nets.
Over in the West, the Thunder are building a lead on the San Antonio Spurs, who controlled first place for a good portion of the season. The Thunder are 59-21 and defeating their opponents comfortably. On Friday, they beat the Portland Trail Blazers as they later saw the Los Angeles Lakers defeat their nemesis, Spurs Sunday night. The San Antonio loss coupled with Thunder's victory increased the Thunder's lead to a complete game remaining. Once again, both teams have two games remaining in the year and will battle it out for the top spot in the West.
We stay in the West as the Rockets are taking advantage of a struggling Golden State Warriors team that seemed destined for the seven seed as they had difficulty playing consistent basketball. The Rockets took advantage of two Warriors' loses and then defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-100 behind usually strong performances from James Harden and great support from Jeremy Lin.
The Rockets have two games remaining against the Phoenix Suns and they close out the season in L.A. against the Lakers. The Warriors see the Spurs and the Trail Blazers at the end of their season.
Here's how the success of these three teams alters the playoff picture:
With the No. 1 seed the Thunder would play the No. 8 seed in the west and have home court advantage throughout the Western Playoffs.
In the No. 5 seed the Hawks face Nets, which is a better matchup for them than the Indiana Pacers.
With the No. 6 seed, the Rockets avoid facing the Spurs and will meet the Denver Nuggets instead.
