On Day 6 in Orlando, we're set for another six-game slate of games with heavy playoff implications.
From potential playoff previews to teams finding their groove, to teams fighting for their playoff lives, there's plenty to keep track of during yet another busy day of NBA action.
What's at stake for the 12 teams in action? We've got you covered with a rundown below.
All win probabilities are per FiveThirtyEight's NBA Predictions model. All times IST.
The Races for Eighth
Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 11 p.m., NBA League Pass
Win probability: Bucks – 89%
It's a potential first-round preview as Brooklyn enters the day as the East's eighth seed.
The Nets aren't in danger of falling to ninth but could potentially get back up to seventh should the Magic drop their game to the Pacers later in the day.
For Milwaukee, the East's top seed is all but cliched as it enters the day with a 5.5 game lead over Toronto with six games to play. A Bucks win would mean a No. 1 seed for the second straight year.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings – 12 a.m., NBA League Pass
Win probability: Mavericks – 65%
The Mavericks have clinched a playoff spot but their 0-2 start in Orlando has been less-than-ideal.
Dallas appears to be locked in to the West's seventh seed now, as it has some ground to make with regard to moving up to sixth and has a cushion over the eighth seed.
As for the Kings, they need to win now. An 0-2 start has been very damaging for their hopes to end a 14-year playoff drought and another loss in Orlando might seal their fate. Sacramento needs to get back on track after a blowout loss to Orlando on Sunday.
Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers – 1:30 a.m., NBA League Pass
Win probability: Clippers – 80%
The best way for the Suns to help themselves in Orlando is to win out, pretty much. Phoenix is 2-for-2 so far after taking care of business against Washington and earning a hard-fought win over Dallas.
The Clippers provide a tough test, so it will require big games from the duo of the future in Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
As for LA, winning only strengthens its hold on the No. 2 seed in the West. The Nuggets and Rockets are within striking distance but ultimately, the Clippers control their own destiny on a crash course to what feels like an inevitable first-round date with the Mavericks.
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 6:30 a.m., Sony SIX
Win probability: Rockets – 67%
Two of the league's best backcourts take centre stage as Houston and Portland finish out the day's schedule.
As mentioned above, Houston has an outside shot to jump as high as second in the standings but could also finish as low as sixth given the logjam in the middle of the Western Conference. A Rockets win would mean a 3-0 start in Orlando and increased momentum ahead of a meeting with the Lakers.
For Portland, every game is a playoff game. The Blazers have split their first two games in Orlando, both of which came down to the wire. Their most recent loss dropped them in the standings but they'll look to do their part with a win while keeping an eye on the other five teams in contention for the final playoff spot in the West.
Figuring out the East
Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers – 3:30 a.m., NBA League Pass
Win probability: Magic – 59%
Similar to Dallas in the West, Orlando appears to be locked into the East given its advantages over Brooklyn. Still, winning erases any doubt that could arise regarding a potential finish in the standings.
This game holds more significance for the Pacers, who helped themselves immensely with their opening day win over the 76ers. By virtue of a tiebreaker, Indiana technically has an extra game over Philadelphia in the standings, as the Pacers would finish higher than the Sixers in the event the two teams had identical records.
This is more about looking forward for the Pacers as this is the second end of a back-to-back that began with a winnable game against the Wizards. If Indiana can take care of business, it could overtake the No. 4 seed from Miami as the two teams are set to meet twice in Orlando.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat – 4 a.m., Sony SIX
Win probability: Celtics – 76%
After losing to the Raptors on Monday, the Heat now trail the Celtics by 2.5 games in the standings but they clearly have an outside shot of catching them.
A Miami win would close the gap, keeping the hopes for a third-place finish in the East alive.
For Boston, a win would more than likely secure a finish no lower than third, while keeping hope alive for the No. 2 seed. The Celtics will face the second-place Raptors later in the week and will need to earn as many wins as possible to potentially jump in the standings.
Current Standings
| EAST | WEST | ||||||||
| TEAM | W | L | GB | Team | W | L | GB | ||
| 1 | x - Milwaukee Bucks | 54 | 13 | - | 1 | x - Los Angeles Lakers | 51 | 15 | – |
| 2 | x - Toronto Raptors | 48 | 18 | 5.5 | 2 | x - LA Clippers | 45 | 21 | 6 |
| 3 | x - Boston Celtics | 44 | 22 | 9.5 | 3 | x - Denver Nuggets | 43 | 23 | 7.5 |
| 4 | x - Miami Heat | 42 | 25 | 12 | 4 | x - Houston Rockets | 42 | 24 | 9 |
| 5 | x - Indiana Pacers | 41 | 26 | 13 | 5 | x - Utah Jazz | 42 | 25 | 9.5 |
| 6 | x - Philadelphia 76ers | 40 | 27 | 14 | 6 | x - Oklahoma City Thunder | 41 | 25 | 10 |
| 7 | Orlando Magic | 32 | 35 | 22 | 7 | x- Dallas Mavericks | 40 | 29 | 12.5 |
| 8 | Brooklyn Nets | 31 | 35 | 22.5 | 8 | Memphis Grizzlies | 32 | 36 | 20 |
| 9 | Washington Wizards | 24 | 43 | 30 | 9 | Portland Trail Blazers | 30 | 38 | 22 |
| 10 | San Antonio Spurs | 29 | 37 | 22 | |||||
| 11 | New Orleans Pelicans | 29 | 38 | 22.5 | |||||
| 12 | Sacramento Kings | 28 | 38 | 23 | |||||
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | 28 | 39 | 23.5 |
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