The Phoenix Suns received a big boost Wednesday as they chase a top-six spot in the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and others defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, who rested their star players, and advanced to within a half-game of the New Orleans Pelicans, the No. 6 seed in the West.
New Orleans has an extra game left on Thursday, but that game will be against the Sacramento Kings.
Thursday's matchup between the Pels and Kings is the first of several games remaining in the final four days of the season and will have a major impact on the play-in standings.
The play-in race in the Eastern Conference has become just as complicated as in the West, as teams ahead of play-in spots continue to lose, like the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Updated NBA standings
eastern conference
1. Boston (62-17)
2. Milwaukee (49-31)
3. New York (47-32)
4. Cleveland (47-33)
5. Orlando (46-34)
6. Indiana (46-34)
play-in race
7. Philadelphia (45-35)
8. Miami (44-36)
9. Chicago (37-42)
10. Atlanta (36-44)
The battle for fourth through seventh place in the East Division could go in a number of different directions.
Orlando lost at Milwaukee on Wednesday, potentially dropping out of the top six.
The Magic play the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday and end the season against the Bucks on Sunday.
If the regular season ends with three straight losses, the Magic will fall to seventh place, but Milwaukee has already clinched a playoff spot and could rest some players on Sunday.
Cleveland and Indiana will play on Friday, but the Cavaliers will likely not be higher than the No. 5 seed as they close out the regular season against the powerhouse Charlotte Hornets.
Philadelphia can defeat Orlando and the Brooklyn Nets to clinch the No. 7 seed and host privileges through at least the entire play-in round.
Indiana has the right to a direct tiebreaker against the Sixers, so if the teams tie, they would finish ahead of Philadelphia.
There is also a scenario where the Pacers and Sixers win, and the Magic end up with a 1-1 record. If that happens, the Magic would tie with the Sixers and Orlando would fall to the No. 7 seed. The Sixers have won their first two games against Orlando this season, so Friday's result won't matter for the tiebreaker.
Miami appears to be locked into the No. 8 seed after stumbling against the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat are now two shots away from making the playoffs.
The Chicago Bulls should host a 9th place vs. 9th place game. 10 games. Ending in Detroit, Washington, and New York. Atlanta visits Minnesota and Indiana.
Play-in predictions: 7. Orlando, 8. Miami, 9. Chicago, 10. Atlanta
western conference
1. Denver (56-24)
2. Oklahoma City (55-25)
3. Minnesota (55-25)
4. Los Angeles Clippers (51-29)
5. Dallas (50-30)
6. New Orleans (47-32)
play-in race
7. Phoenix (47-33)
8. Sacramento (45-34)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (45-35)
10. Golden State (44-35)
Phoenix's win over the Clippers puts pressure on the Pelicans to get a win from Sacramento and stay in first place all game until Friday.
The Suns ended a two-game losing streak, but shouldn't celebrate this win too much since the Clippers rested their starters.
New Orleans has won all three games against Sacramento this season. If they win the season, the Pelicans will be one game ahead of the Suns heading into Friday's road game against Golden State.
The Warriors should equalize with the Los Angeles Lakers with a win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Golden State won the season series against the Lakers on Tuesday, so a win would earn them the No. 9 seed.
The Lakers' visit to New Orleans on Sunday will decide their fate. They should beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
