As the end of the regular season draws nigh, the difference between winning and losing is ever-so-critical. The line between the postseason and the offseason becomes more distinct each day and, with less than three weeks until the regular season concludes, that destinction becomes a harsh reality with each passing moment.
Winners
Atlanta Hawks
Winners of three straight, the Hawks have vaulted to third in the Eastern Conference. In what remains a jam-packed race, the Hawks have lost just three games in the month of March. The Golden State Warriors, who the Hawks took to overtime to begin the month, are the only team that has lost less games in that span. They are winning important games at an important time. The Hawks are incredibly balanced and, since failing to trade big pieces at the trade deadline, have approached a level similar to their success a season ago. Two games remain against both the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, neither of whom the Hawks have beaten this season (combined 0-3).
Boston Celtics
After losing Jae Crowder to a high ankle sprain, the Celtics lost four in a row, resulting in a loss of the number three seed in the East. While they have surrendered that seed to the Hawks, the C's are just a half-game back from repossessing what has been theirs for the majority of the season. After snapping their losing streak against the Philadelphia 76ers, Brad Stevens coached his often-streaky team to a four-game winning streak, which included a defeat of the Kyle Lowry-less Raptors at TD Garden. With Crowder set to return to practice this week, the Celtics may need to rely on their best two-way player to survive a West Coast road trip and avoid falling into the wrong category next week.
Oklahoma City Thunder
After clinching a playoff spot, the Thunder subsequently righted their ship and have now won seven straight. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have continued to assert their dominance. Both averaged greater than 21 points-per-game in three contests last week, with Durant posting 24-5-7 averages to Westbrook's 21-10-8. During their current win streak, Westbrook is just a few rebounds away from averaging a triple-double. He leads the league in said category and the duo of him and Durant remains the most threatening to the Warriors and Spurs.
Los Angeles Clippers
The fourth Western Conference team to clinch a playoff berth, the wobbly Clippers barely earned their place in the winner's circle. With no shot at a division title over the Warriors, the Clips have hung steady in fourth place for almost the entirety of the season. Now, having won two straight they have received word that Blake Griffin is a mere four-game (now three) suspension away from returning to the lineup. Their biggest victory of the week is undoubtedly the playoff berth. But, the fact that Griffin's return is on the horizon comes at an opportune time and is a close second.
Utah Jazz
7-3 over their last 10 games, the Jazz have crept into a playoff spot. Currently the seventh seed in the West, Quin Snyder's boys are just one game under .500-a half-game ahead of the Houston Rockets in the standings. What's more, the Jazz are just a game and a half behind the Portland Trail Blazers, who currently hold the six seed. Once blatantly led by Gordon Hayward, the Jazz now have one of the more balanced attacks in the NBA. They concluded a five-game road trip winning three games, the last of which four players scored double figures. Rookie Trey Lyles continues to be an impressive factor off the bench on a squad whose primary strength is depth in the post.
Losers
Chicago Bulls
A team that has fallen into the wrong category over the past several months, the Bulls are in serious danger of missing the postseason. Losers of three straight, the players and coaches held a meeting in attempt to get back on track. First year head coach Fred Hoiberg hit a rut in mid-January when the team was 22-12 and has yet to recover. The subsequent loss of Jimmy Butler to injury caused the Bulls to fall deeper in the standings and it took them nearly a month to win back-to-back games.
As has been the story with the Bulls over the past several seasons, injuries have played a defining role. The future looks bleak as the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers stand in the way of the Bulls and snapping their losing streak. They are 21-24 against the Eastern Conference and, with ten games remaining, will face six opponents with winning records in addition to playing on the road an equal number of times.
Dallas Mavericks
A record of 2-10 over their last 12 games culminates with a current three game skid for the Mavs, who are now 35-38. A game and a half behind the Houston Rockets for eighth place in the Western Conference, Rick Charlisle's squad will now be without Chandler Parsons for the remainder of the season. Parsons, who has missed 12 games this season, including the previous four for the Mavs, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday. Deron Williams has also been on the shelf and is expected to miss the Mavericks' game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
Defense has been an issue for the Mavericks who, since the beginning of February, have limited opponents to under 100 points in just three games. Charlisle's defense allowed 123.3 points-per-game in three matchups last week, which concluded with a 133-111 blowout at the hands of the Sacramento Kings. Although the Mavericks have overachieved this season, they are now in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for just the second time in the Charlisle Era.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets dropped three of four games last week but, thanks to the Mavs, are clinging to the last playoff spot in the West. They are 36-38, one of two teams in playoff position with losing records. James Harden has averaged 29.0 points, 11.8 assists, and 8.0 rebounds over the past four games, while Dwight Howard has retreated to the shadows. The 12th-year veteran averaged just 8.5 points and 9.0 rebounds over that span. His season average of 14.3 points-per-game is the lowest since his rookie season.
Having lost six of their last nine games, the Rockets' playoff hopes remain alive. Yet, the gap between the West's elite remains large and, should the Rockets punch a ticket to the postseason, it is almost certain they will exit the first round at the hands of the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs.
Eliminated Teams
The Golden State Warriors have long since clinched a playoff spot, but it wasn't until recently that NBA teams were eliminated from playoff contention. Over the past few weeks, the list has piled up. The Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Minnesota Timberwolves have all set their sights on the NBA lottery.
Next up: the New Orleans Pelicans, who have lost three in a row and, with one more loss, will join the pack of eliminated teams.