NBA's Final Day

The NBA season ends tonight...and while the playoff teams have been decided for a few days, the actual matchups still need to be determined. 

                 

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS AT LOS ANGELES LAKERS.  A Lakers win, and they are the #7 seed and face the Phoenix Suns.  The Sacramento Kings would be the #8 seed and face the San Antonio Spurs.  A Laker loss, and they'd play the Spurs and the Kings face the Suns.

Now, in the Eastern Conference, it gets a bit dicey [Milwaukee lost, so they are 40-42 and currently in the 8th spot].

WASHINGTON WIZARDS AT DETROIT PISTONS.  The Pistons figure to rest their starters....so this is a game the Wiz can win.  A Wiz win [or a Bulls loss] and they are the #5 seed.  If they lose and Chicago wins.....then they drop to the #6 seed. 

ORLANDO MAGIC AT INDIANA PACERS.  The Magic are one of the NBA's hottest teams right now...and the Pacers aren't exactly warm right now.  The Pacers can be as high as the #6 seed or as low as the #8 seed. 

TORONTO RAPTORS AT CHICAGO BULLS.  The Bulls are playing as well as anyone in this bunch.  The Bulls have the biggest opportunity.  They could be as high as the #5 seed....or as low as the #8 seed. 

Got the games??  Now here is what is at stake.

If Washington, Indiana and Chicago all win:
• 5. Washington (42-40)
• 6. Indiana (41-41, 6-10 in div.)
• 7. Chicago (41-41, 4-12 in div.
• 8. Milwaukee (40-42)

If Washington and Indiana win; Chicago loses:
• 5. Washington (42-40)
• 6. Indiana (41-41)
• 7. Milwaukee (40-42, 6-10 in div.)
• 8. Chicago (40-42, 4-12 in div.)

If Washington and Chicago win, Indiana loses:
• 5. Washington (42-40)
• 6. Chicago (41-41)
• 7. Milwaukee (40-42, 29-23 in conf.)
• 8. Indiana (40-42, 23-29 in conf.)

If Washington wins, Indiana and Chicago lose:
• 5. Washington (42-40)
• 6. Milwaukee (40-42, 4-4 head-to-head, 6-10 in div., 29-23 in conf.)
• 7. Indiana (40-42, 4-4 head-to-head, 6-10 in div., 23-29 in conf.)
• 8. Chicago (40-42, 4-4 head-to-head, 4-12 in div.)

If Washington, Indiana and Chicago all lose:
• 5. Washington (41-41)
• 6. Milwaukee (40-42, 4-4 head-to-head, 6-10 in div., 29-23 in conf.)
• 7. Indiana (40-42, 4-4 head-to-head, 6-10 in div., 23-29 in conf.)
• 8. Chicago (40-42, 4-4 head-to-head, 4-12 in div.)

If Indiana wins, Washington and Chicago lose:
• 5. Washington (41-41, 29-23 in conf.)
• 6. Indiana (41-41, 23-29 in conf.)
• 7. Milwaukee (40-42, 6-10 in div.)
• 8. Chicago (40-42, 4-12 in div.)

If Chicago wins, Washington and Indiana lose:
• 5. Chicago (41-41, 3-1 head-to-head)
• 6. Washington (41-41, 1-3 head-to-head)
• 7. Milwaukee (40-42, 29-23 in conf.)
• 8. Indiana (40-42, 23-29 in conf.)

If Indiana and Chicago win, Washington loses:
• 5. Chicago (41-41, 5-3 head-to-head)
• 6. Washington (41-41, 29-23 in conf.)
• 7. Indiana (41-41, 23-29 in conf.)
• 8. Milwaukee (40-42)