Hot & Cold: The Last 10 Games

03/23/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

With NBA Playoffs Nearing, The Postseason Picture is Getting Clearer

Ten games left and one team stands tall above the rest. The Phoenix Suns (58-14) are riding high atop the NBA, but they’re not the only hot squad as teams jockey for playoff seeding down the stretch. The line that separates the playoff from the play-in and elimination is becoming more defined, but nothing is set just yet. Here’s the latest hot-cold rundown with a final look at the playoff picture before the final three weeks of the regular season.

 

 Hot: The current 2-seeds in each conference — Bucks and Grizzlies — are beginning to click at the right time. The Suns still own the best record in the league by a long shot, but the Celtics — winners of four straight — have the best record in the NBA during the last two months. Boston has gone 20-3 since late January.

 

 Cold: The Bulls have tumbled down the stretch with a 3-7 record in their last ten games. The Nets are also still struggling to find their way after injuries and trades. The Warriors have lost three straight and they could be in danger of falling from the 3-seed to the 5/6-seed (or worse) if the slump continues.

 

NBA Playoff Picture

 

Eastern Conference

1. Heat (47-25)

2. Bucks (45-27)

3. 76ers (44-27)

4. Celtics (45-28)

5. Bulls (42-30)

6. Cavaliers (41-31)

Play-In

7. Raptors (40-32)

8. Nets (38-34)

9. Hornets (37-35)

10. Hawks (36-36)

In the Hunt: Wizards (30-41), Knicks (30-42)

 

Western Conference

1. Suns (58-14)

2. Grizzlies (49-23)

3. Warriors (47-25)

4. Jazz (45-27)

5. Mavericks (44-28)

6. Nuggets (43-30)

Play-In

7. Timberwolves (42-31)

8. Clippers (36-38)

9. Lakers (31-41)

10. Pelicans (30-42)

In the Hunt: Spurs (28-44), Blazers (27-44), Kings (25-48)

 

Additional Storylines

House of Highlights: Trae Young Owns MSG: Drops 45 on Knicks (Video)

ESPN: NBA Play-In Tournament 2022: Schedule, Projects & Rules Explained