Jalen Brunson Beats Warriors Keeps Knicks Near Celtics

Merlin sees New York still in the hunt. Jalen Brunson and Co. beat the Warriors Sunday to remain "within a game of the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed." Detroit’s loss to Toronto tightened the East, where Toronto, Miami and Philadelphia are jockeying for the final top-six spots and Miami versus Toronto twice next week could swing seeding. In the West, Oklahoma City sits comfortably atop the standings and San Antonio looks locked for No. 2. The real drama is the scramble for the No. 3 seed among the Lakers, Rockets, Nuggets and Wolves, while Golden State and Portland battle to host the No. 9 versus No. 10 play-in game. Merlin senses a chaotic final week where a few games will rewrite the bracket.