NBA playoff picture, standings, magic numbers: Lakers projected for top-four seed; Warriors grip play-in spot

In the East, the Nets have assumed the top spot while the Knicks, Hawks and Celtics are clawing for home-court advantage

We're under a month out from the close of the 2020-21 NBA regular season. The last day of games is May 16. So far, the Utah Jazz are the only team to have clinched a true playoff spot, meaning a top-six seed, while the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves are the first two teams to have been officially eliminated from postseason contention.  Quick reminder on this season's new playoff format: The top six seeds in each conference are in, with the final two seeds up for grabs via two play-in tournament series. In each conference, No. 7 will play No. 8, with the higher seed having to win one game while the lower seed would have to win two. The winner of that 7 vs. 8 series gets the No. 7 spot, with the loser awaiting the winner of the 9 vs. 10 play-in series to decide the No. 8 seed.  Below is what the playoff picture looks like entering play on Monday, April 26. Teams are listed in order of current seed along with the SportsLine projected finishing seed and different magic number scenarios. A "playoff spot" means a top-six seed. This post will continue to update for the remainder of the season as we keep track of these races down to the wire.