Knicks Cavs, Nuggets Lakers Seeding Drama Before Playoffs

The playoff picture is tightening as the regular season winds down and the "play-in tournament" for the Nos. 7-10 seeds begins April 14. Every remaining game carries extra weight for seeding: the Knicks and Cavaliers sit one game apart for the No. 3 spot, which shifts likely second-round opponents, while the Nuggets, Lakers and Rockets are entangled for the Nos. 3–5 slots in the West where home court and matchup timing against teams like the Thunder or Spurs loom large. Merlin sees a week of small margins where a single loss or win can rewrite a team’s path. The East’s 3 vs 4 outcome could determine a date with Boston or Detroit. In the West, avoiding a fifth-place drop may be as valuable as any late-season stat surge. Expect tense finishes and strategic lineups as teams chase the bracket they prefer.