Sun Mar 16 03:00:00 UTC 2025: **NBA Playoff Race Heats Up as Regular Season Winds Down**

**NEW YORK, NY** – With less than a month remaining in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the playoff picture is starting to solidify, though plenty of drama remains. The Cleveland Cavaliers hold a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference, virtually securing the top seed. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched a playoff berth and built a significant advantage over the contenders for the second seed: Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Boston Celtics, having clinched a playoff spot themselves, are firmly in second place in the East, holding a five-game lead over the third-seeded New York Knicks. However, the battle for the remaining playoff spots in both conferences is fierce, with teams vying for seeding and even a place in the play-in tournament. The Timberwolves and Clippers are chasing the Warriors and Rockets in the West’s race for the remaining playoff spots.

The top six teams in each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, while teams ranked 7-10 will compete in the play-in tournament to determine the final four playoff spots. The exact seeding will likely be determined in the final weeks of the regular season. CBS Sports provides daily updates on the standings and playoff probabilities.

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