The NBA is entering its decisive phase on the road to the playoffs. Several teams have already secured their spots and are waiting to find out their opponents in the coming days, while others continue fighting to stay alive through the Play-In Tournament.

At the moment, there are already qualified teams in both conferences. In the Western Conference, the Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, and Rockets have clinched playoff berths. In the Eastern Conference, the qualified teams are the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, and Cavaliers.

These teams occupy the top spots in their respective conferences, allowing them to avoid the Play-In. Meanwhile, franchises such as the Timberwolves, Suns, Warriors, 76ers, and Heat will have to compete in this stage for the final postseason spots.

The Play-In Tournament will begin on April 14, while the playoffs, with all teams set, will tip off on April 18.

In-Form Teams and Title Contenders

In terms of form, the Spurs are one of the hottest teams heading into the playoffs and are shaping up to be a very dangerous opponent. Led by Victor Wembanyama, who is in the MVP race, they boast a solid and deep rotation. They have even shown they can compete without their star, as they recently defeated the Clippers without him on the court.

In the East, the Celtics look like one of the top favorites, along with the Pistons, who have been highly consistent throughout the season. Boston stands out for its defense, three-point shooting ability, and the outstanding level of Jayson Tatum, who has turned the team into a true contender.

For their part, Detroit has been one of the most consistent teams in the league. They have remained at the top since November and hold a strong 30-14 record against .500 teams, reflecting their collective strength.

There is no doubt the playoffs promise to be thrilling, with teams arriving in great form and ready to battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

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