They're called "seeding games" for good reason.
If it seems like there's a big game every day of the schedule of the NBA's restart at the Walt Disney World Resort, that's because there probably is. On a day-to-day basis, teams look to jump in the standings by earning big wins while keeping an eye on the results of teams with similar records.
As we get closer to the conclusion of the seeding game schedule, focus will shift towards matchups as the playoff picture takes shape. This year, tiebreakers are more important than ever, as a number of teams could very well end up with identical records ahead of the playoffs.
Who has an advantage? Below, find a breakdown of important tiebreakers in the ever-evolving playoff picture.
East seeds 4-6 | West seeds 2-6 | Race for 8 in the West
Seeds four through six in the East
The Milwaukee Bucks have clinched the No. 1 seed, the Toronto Raptors have locked up No. 2 and the Boston Celtics have clinched No. 3.
Only seeds four through six have yet to be decided.
Ahead of the restart, I wrote about the importance of seeding for the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers, the four teams seeded third through sixth in the Eastern Conference.
As such, some combinations of these teams will represent the East's 3-6 and 4-5 matchup in the opening round of the playoffs. We just don't know who will face who yet.
Here's what will have a hand in that:
Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers
Will have played the same amount of games at the end of seeding schedule.
- Miami is currently 2-0 against Indiana this season but the two teams meet twice in Orlando.
- The Pacers would need to win both meetings in order to activate a secondary tiebreaker should the teams finish with identical records.
- The secondary tiebreaker goes to the division champion. The Heat have clinched the Southeast Division and the Pacers cannot win the Central Division.
- In order to finish ahead of Miami in the standings, Indiana must finish with a better record.
Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers
Will have played the same amount of games at the end of seeding schedule.
- The Pacers own the tiebreaker by virtue of a 3-1 season series victory over the 76ers.
- In order to finish ahead of Indiana in the standings, Philadelphia must finish with a better record.
Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat
Will have played the same amount of games at the end of seeding schedule.
- The Heat own the tiebreaker by virtue of a 3-1 season series victory over the 76ers.
- In order to finish ahead of Miami in the standings, Philadelphia must finish with a better record.
Seeds two through six in the West
The Los Angeles Lakers have clinched the West's top seed but after that, things are still up in the air. A number of teams find themselves jockeying for position with opportunities to move up by playing one another in Orlando.
Here's how it breaks down:
LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets will have played one more game than the Clippers at the end of seeding schedule.
- LA and Denver have split their first two meetings of the season; the teams meet in their second-to-last seeding game.
- Because of the disparity in games played, the Nuggets can finish .5 game ahead of the Clippers by having one more win and the same amount of losses.
- Conversely, the Clippers can finish .5 game ahead of the Nuggets by having the same amount of wins and one fewer loss.
Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets
The Nuggets will have played one more game than the Rockets at the end of seeding schedule.
- Denver and Houston split the season series 2-2.
- Because of the disparity in games played, the Nuggets can finish .5 game ahead of the Rockets by having one more win and the same amount of losses.
- Conversely, the Rockets can finish .5 game ahead of the Nuggets by having the same amount of wins and one fewer loss.
Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz
Will have played the same amount of games at the end of seeding schedule.
- Should the teams finish with identical records, the Rockets own the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series 2-1.
- Utah must finish at least one full game ahead of Houston in the standings in order to earn a higher seed.
Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder
Will have played the same amount of games at the end of seeding schedule.
- Should the teams finish with identical records, the Thunder own the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series 2-1.
- Utah must finish at least one full game ahead of Oklahoma City in the standings to earn a higher seed.
The Race for Eighth in the West
With New Orleans and Sacramento being eliminated, there are now four teams in the mix for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference. That being said, rather than breaking down each matchup, here's how each team hoping to make the playoffs has faced against their biggest competition.
Remember, a play-in situation will be activated if the ninth seed finishes within four games of the eight seed following the seeding game schedule.
Memphis Grizzlies
Will finish seeding schedule with 73 games played.
- Tied season series with Trail Blazers (1-1)
- Tied season series with Spurs (2-2)
- Lost season series to Pelicans (0-3)
- Lost season series to Kings (1-3)
- Won season series over Suns (3-1)
Portland Trail Blazers
Will finish seeding schedule with 74 games played.
- Tied season series with Grizzlies (1-1)
- Won season series over Spurs (2-1)
- Lost season series to Pelicans (0-4)
- Tied season series with Kings (2-2)
- Tied season series with Suns (2-2)
San Antonio Spurs
Will finish seeding schedule with 71 games played.
- Tied season series with Grizzlies (2-2)
- Lost season series to Trail Blazers (1-2)
- Ahead in season series with Pelicans (1-0), two teams meet on Aug. 9
- Won season series vs. Kings (2-1)
- Won season series vs. Suns (2-1)
Phoenix Suns
Will finish seeding schedule with 73 games played.
- Lost season series to Grizzlies (1-3)
- Tied season series with Trail Blazers (2-2)
- Lost season series to Spurs (1-2)
- Tied season series with Pelicans (1-1)
- Tied season series with Kings (2-2)
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.