Last Night in the League

The last day of the regular season is upon us, and there is still much to be determined in the playoff picture. Four teams are battling for the last two playoff spots tonight (Indiana, Brooklyn, New Orleans and Oklahoma City), and even more teams still have games to be played for seeding. The game most people will have their eyes on is between the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans. If the Pelicans win, they're in, but if they lose and the Thunder beat the Timberwolves (what are the chances....) then they're out. The Spurs have something to play for as well. If they win then they will get the number two seed in the west, and if they lose could fall in the standings and not even get home court advantage in the first round. In all honesty I hope the Pelicans do win tonight, because I don't want to see the Thunder play the Warriors. Sure it would be nice to see Russell Westbrook play four more games, but what's the point? The Thunder defense is horrible, especially without Serge Ibaka in the lineup. I don't know if I really want to watch Golden State outscore the Thunder 140-100 every game.
Indiana and Brooklyn are battling for the last spot in the east, and a match-up with the Atlanta Hawks. Indiana is a game ahead, but the Nets own the tiebreaker and the Pacers have a tough game tonight at Memphis. I personally would much rather see the Pacers in the playoffs, because I think a match-up with the Hawks would be a very intriguing one. A rematch of last years first round battle, in which the then top seeded Indiana Pacers escaped in a seven game series. The Pacers could challenge the Hawks in the opposite position this year, especially with the return of Paul George. George has been playing limited minutes the past week, but has looked solid and has been productive in those minutes.
In the west Houston, Memphis, Los Angeles (Clippers) and San Antonio are all battling for the second seed in the western conference and home court advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
A lot of fun hoops to watch tonight, and playoff basketball starting Saturday.