After a doubleheader on "Opening Night," the NBA restart continues with a full slate of six seeding games on Friday.
The sense of urgency is high, as each team in Orlando has plenty to play for over these next two weeks. What's at stake? Below, find an updated look at the standings as well as a breakdown on what each team stands to gain – or lose – in today's biggest games.
Current Standings
| EAST | WEST | ||||||||
| Team | W | L | GB | Team | W | L | GB | ||
| 1 | x – Milwaukee Bucks | 53 | 12 | – | 1 | x – Los Angeles Lakers | 50 | 14 | – |
| 2 | x – Toronto Raptors | 46 | 18 | 6.5 | 2 | x – LA Clippers | 44 | 21 | 6.5 |
| 3 | x – Boston Celtics | 43 | 21 | 9.5 | 3 | x – Denver Nuggets | 43 | 22 | 7.5 |
| 4 | x – Miami Heat | 41 | 24 | 12 | 4 | x – Utah Jazz | 42 | 23 | 8.5 |
| 5 | x – Indiana Pacers | 39 | 26 | 14 | 5 | x – Oklahoma City Thunder | 40 | 24 | 10 |
| 6 | x – Philadelphia 76ers | 39 | 26 | 14 | 6 | x – Houston Rockets | 40 | 24 | 10 |
| 7 | Brooklyn Nets | 30 | 34 | 22.5 | 7 | Dallas Mavericks | 40 | 27 | 11.5 |
| 8 | Orlando Magic | 30 | 35 | 23 | 8 | Memphis Grizzlies | 32 | 33 | 18.5 |
| 9 | Washington Wizards | 24 | 40 | 28.5 | 9 | Portland Trail Blazers | 29 | 37 | 22 |
| 10 | Sacramento Kings | 28 | 36 | 22 | |||||
| 11 | New Orleans Pelicans | 28 | 37 | 22.5 | |||||
| 12 | San Antonio Spurs | 27 | 38 | 22.5 | |||||
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | 26 | 39 | 24.5 |
x – Clinched Playoffs Berth
All win probabilities are based on FiveThirtyEight's NBA Predictions model
The Races for Eighth
Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2:30 p.m. on Sportsnet ONE
Orlando has a 71% win probability
The Magic currently trail the Nets by a half-game in the Eastern Conference standings. With a win, Orlando would earn a 3-0 series sweep over Brooklyn and move into the East's seventh spot.
A Nets win would give them a 1.5 game cushion in the standings, but the Magic would still be in play for the seventh seed as the two teams meet again on Aug. 11.
Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards, 4 p.m. on TSN
Phoenix has a 72% win probability
The Suns will need to win as much as possible and get some help along the way as they will not play any of the teams they trail in the standings. It's the most winnable game for Phoenix, as Washington is the only team at the restart with a lower win percentage.
Washington needs to make up 1.5 in the standings in order to force a play-in for the No. 8 seed. Like the Suns, the Wizards need to win as much as possible.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 4 p.m. on TSN
Memphis has a 65% win probability
The ninth-seeded Trail Blazers have an opportunity to gain a full game on the eighth-seeded Grizzlies, who are holding on to the West's final playoff spot. As it currently stands, the Blazers and Grizzlies would meet in a play-in for the final playoff spot.
But a lot can change.
A Portland win would end its season series with Memphis as a 1-1 tie. The Grizzlies would earn a 2-0 series sweep with a win, further solidifying their hold on the No. 8 seed. Additionally, the Pelicans and Kings can capitalize on a Blazers loss.
Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs, 8 p.m. on TSN
Sacramento has a 65% win probability
The Spurs and Kings are both on the outside looking in with respect to a potential play-in but both teams have a shot and a lot to play for. With the season series between the teams tied at 1-1, the winner earns a tiebreaker as they don't meet again in Orlando
San Antonio looks to extend its historic postseason win streak and with a win Friday, inches closer towards the West's ninth seed. The Spurs will have an opportunity to help themselves against the Grizzlies and Pelicans later on during the seeding games.
The Kings look to snap a 14-year playoff drought by starting off on the right foot. They're currently on the outside looking in but have a favourable schedule in that they face the Pelicans twice during the seeding period.
Playoff Positioning
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 6:30 p.m. on Sportsnet ONE
Milwaukee has a 52% win probability
The Bucks have a 6.5 game lead in the standings with eight games to go, so this isn't really about them.
On the other hand, Boston has a slight chance of rising or falling in the standings. A win over the Bucks would keep the Celtics in contention for the East's No. 2 seed, as they currently trail the Toronto Raptors by 2.5 games. It also provides some breathing room for the Celtics, as they hold a 2.5 game lead over the Miami Heat.
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks, 9:00 p.m. on Sportsnet ONE
Houston has a 60% win probability
Not only are the Rockets and Mavericks neck-and-neck in the standings, but the season series is tied at 1-1 ahead of their final meeting. Yep, a tiebreaker is on the line here.
Houston is in a jumbled part of the Western Conference, where 2.5 games separate seeds three through six. A Rockets win would temporarily place them ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder by virtue of win percentage.
The Mavericks have an opportunity to do a number of things here with a win. First and foremost, Dallas could gain a full game on Houston in the standings and win the season series. Additionally, the Mavs could officially clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Blazers loss earlier.
Fair to say they'll have their eye on that result as well.
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