{"id":97301,"date":"2026-03-25T19:47:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/nba-playoff-watch-is-thunder-celtics-a-finals-preview\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:47:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:47:49","slug":"nba-playoff-watch-is-thunder-celtics-a-finals-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/nba-playoff-watch-is-thunder-celtics-a-finals-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA playoff watch: Is Thunder-Celtics a Finals preview?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The NBA schedule<\/a> ramps up with 12 games on Wednesday, including a potential Finals preview in Boston as the past two NBA champions face off.<\/p>\n

The West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> take on the Boston Celtics<\/a> (7:30 p.m. ET<\/a>), who are currently clinging to second place in the Eastern Conference. ESPN’s BPI gives Oklahoma City a 65% chance of reaching the Finals, while Boston has a 14.8% chance, fourth in the Eastern Conference, behind the Detroit Pistons<\/a> (25.9%), Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> (25.3%) and New York Knicks<\/a> (24.5%). Fresh off their win against the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, the Pistons play host to the red-hot Atlanta Hawks<\/a> (7 p.m. ET, ESPN<\/a>), who’ve won 13 of their past 14 games to move up to sixth in the East.<\/p>\n

There are three other games on Wednesday’s schedule between two projected postseason teams. The Miami Heat<\/a>, currently ninth in the East, visit the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET<\/a>), with Miami trailing Atlanta by two games for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot. The Houston Rockets<\/a> visit the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN<\/a>), in a game that could go a long way toward determining seeding in the West. Minnesota is tied with the Denver Nuggets<\/a> for fourth place, with both teams a half-game ahead of the sixth-place Rockets. In the night’s final game, the Toronto Raptors<\/a> visit the LA Clippers<\/a> (10:30 p.m. ET), with Toronto holding just a half-game lead on Atlanta for fifth in the East.<\/p>\n

For those paying more attention to the opposite end of the standings, there’s a key matchup for draft positioning with the Washington Wizards<\/a> taking on the Utah Jazz<\/a> (9 p.m. ET). Washington has lost 16 consecutive games and is one loss away from matching the Indiana Pacers<\/a> for the worst record in the league. The Jazz are just 3-13 since the All-Star break, giving them the fourth-worst record overall. If they can hold on to that spot, they’d be guaranteed of keeping their top-eight-protected pick, regardless of what happens in May’s draft lottery.<\/p>\n

Jump to a section:<\/strong>
Current playoff matchups<\/a>
Today’s schedule<\/a> | Monday’s scores<\/a>
Clinching scenarios<\/a> | Critical remaining games<\/a>
Projected standings<\/a> | Race for No. 1 pick<\/a><\/p>\n

Current NBA playoff matchups<\/h2>\n

Eastern Conference playoffs<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Detroit Pistons<\/a> vs. 8. Play-in winner TBD
2. Boston Celtics<\/a> vs. 7. Play-in winner TBD
3. New York Knicks<\/a> vs. 6. Atlanta Hawks<\/a>
4. Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> vs. 5. Toronto Raptors<\/a><\/p>\n

Eastern Conference play-in<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> vs. 8. Orlando Magic<\/a>
9. Charlotte Hornets<\/a> vs. 10. Miami Heat<\/a>
Loser 7\/8 vs. Winner 9\/10<\/p>\n

Western Conference playoffs<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> vs. 8. Play-in winner TBD
2. San Antonio Spurs<\/a> vs. 7. Play-in winner TBD
3. Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> vs. 6. Houston Rockets<\/a>
4. Denver Nuggets<\/a> vs. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a><\/p>\n

Western Conference play-in<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Phoenix Suns<\/a> vs. 8. LA Clippers<\/a>
9. Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> vs. 10. Golden State Warriors<\/a>
Loser 7\/8 vs. Winner 9\/10<\/p>\n\n