NBA Betting - Playoff Implications

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago Bulls at Chrarlotte Bobcats - 8:00 p.m. ET

The Bulls hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a one-game lead over the Toronto Raptors. The Raps hold the head-to-head tie-breaker, meaning a win and the Bulls are in… and a loss means they'll be watching the scoreboard for Toronto's outcome. Charlotte has the seventh seed locked up.

New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors - 8:00 p.m. ET

Toronto has just one win in its last six games, but it still has a shot at the postseason. The Raptors absolutely must win against the Knicks tonight; couple that with a Chicago loss and Toronto is in the postseason. The Knicks are playing for pride.

Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics - 8:00 p.m. ET

The Bucks can pass Miami for the fifth seed in the East if they beat Boston and the Heat lose tonight. That would ensure a first-round match up with the Celtics instead of Atlanta. The Celtics will likely be resting.

New Jersey Nets at Miami Heat - 8:00 p.m. ET

Miami can hold onto the fifth seed-and earn Boston in the first round-by topping the Nets. Considering the Heat are 0-3 against the Celtics this season, however, they might be content to just lay down slide to sixth. In that case, Miami would face Atlanta (2-1 against the Hawks this year). Be wary of Miami tonight.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz - 10:30 p.m. ET

Utah can move up to second in the West with a victory and Dallas loss; Phoenix can't because of its head-to-head series loss with the Mavericks, though the Suns do face falling out of fourth-and losing home-court in the first-round-if they lose tonight. Both teams should be working hard this evening.

San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks - 8:00 p.m. ET

Winning tonight will lock down the second seed for the Mavs. The Spurs will face either Dallas or Utah but, even with a win, it's largely out of their hands depending on how those two teams fare tonight.

Golden State Warriors at Portland Trailblazers - 10:30 p.m. ET

Like the Spurs, Portland will face either Utah or Dallas in the first round. Winning tonight ensures sixth place but, again, the Blazers' first-round opponent will depend on how the Mavs and Jazz games shake out tonight.