The regular season comes to a close tonight and the NBA Standings will finally settle at the conclusion of tonight's games. There are plenty of teams that will depend a lot on the final game of the season. The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz are certainly coming out to play their best as their playoff hopes depend on it. Find out what matches to keep an eye on as the NBA 2012-2013 season comes to a close.
As mentioned, the Lakers and Jazz need to win tonight in order to enter the playoffs. However, if the Jazz win, they would need the Lakers to lose as they are a game behind L.A. in the standings. However, if the Lakers lose and Jazz win, Utah possesses the season tiebreaker, which could eliminate the Lakers. Of course, if both teams lose, then the standings remain the same and the Lakers clinch the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Schedule
Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies: 8 p.m. ET
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 p.m. ET
Both games will air on ESPN.
Other teams also battling for better playoff positioning. The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks are fighting for the fifth seed with a chance to play against the Brooklyn Nets. Currently, both teams are tied with the same record. The Bulls and Hawks are both 44-37. The Bulls own the better conference record, so if both teams lose, then the Bulls face the Nets.
Schedule:
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks: 8 p.m. ET
Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls: 8 p.m. ET
Without a doubt, the Bulls have a better chance to win their matchup.
The Rockets and the Golden State Warriors are also battling for a better spot in the Western Conference. That the Rockets and Warriors have a better chance of advancing to the second round of the playoffs is a different question. The Rockets could snatch the sixth spot with a victory over the Lakers and a Warriors loss. The Warriors are in sixth place as the have a 46-35 record. The Rockets are 45-36 and looking for a possible tie. Here are their matchups.
Schedule:
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers: 10:30 p.m. ET
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 p.m. ET
Also important to keep in mind, with a win, the Lakers lock up the seventh seed and a chance at the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, while the Rockets would face the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers are just a game behind the Rockets and they possess the better conference record coming into the game.
