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With the NBA regular season over, where do teams currently stand in the wider playoff picture? Which teams are in the driver’s seat? Which teams have a tough road ahead?

Last week: 1st

With their win over Chicago last week, Milwaukee officially clinched the top seed in the East and the NBA at large. The Bucks went 3-2 to end the year, which included notching a key win over the 76ers in a non-competitive game. Although this game didn't mean much in terms of seeding, it was important that Milwaukee beat a top-tier competitor in the East, after losing their previous two matchups against Philly and Boston. The only dampener on the Bucks' performance to end the season was that Khris Middleton reportedly re-aggravated the knee soreness that has plagued him all year, along with both Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton going out with ankle injuries – their statuses are unknown for round one.

Last week: 3rd

With their loss to Philly last week, Boston ended up second in the East. The Celtics' then won their final three games in non-competitive fashion. The trait that Boston will hang their hat on in the playoffs is their versatility. This is a rotation where basically every player can shoot, dribble and pass. Additionally, there really aren't any defensive weak links in their immediate rotation, making them incredibly hard to score on. Boston remains a prime championship contender, and a team no opponent wants to match up with.

Last week: 4th

Even though Philadelphia was basically locked in to the three-seed, this final stretch was huge for them from a mental standpoint, with opportunities to play Milwaukee and Boston. The Sixers' performance against the Bucks was underwhelming - they lost by 13 points in a game that had some MVP voters questioning whether they would indeed cast their MVP vote for Joel Embiid. Fortunately for those voters, Embiid all but shut the door on the MVP conversation two days later in a 52-point performance to down the Celtics at home. Any remaining doubt was removed after that statement performance, and it is highly likely that Philly's superstar earns the prestigious honour for the first time in his career.

Last week: 2nd

After a hugely successful regular season, Denver did not finish well. Removing their final three games (which they sat most of their starters in), the Nuggets still went 1-3, including a loss to the 20-60 Houston Rockets. It is fair to give this team some benefit of the doubt, seeing as they been locked into the one-seed for a while. But there are no excuses now. This is a massive postseason for Denver and, individually, for Nikola Jokic.

Last week: 9th

Phoenix had a great couple of weeks to conclude the season, extending their winning streak to seven games before shutting their guys down. As expected, Kevin Durant has been great since returning from his ankle injury, dropping 35 points against the Thunder last week. The Suns will go into their series against the Clippers heavily favoured, considering Paul George is, reportedly, out for most of the first round.

Last week: 6th

Cleveland went 2-1 last week before shutting down their guys. They began by losing handily to the Knicks, but then beat the Pacers by 10 and the Magic by just four. It is noteworthy that Donovan Mitchell, excluding the final two games where he sat out, had scored over 40 points in four straight contests, and the Cavs went 2-2 in that stretch. This is a team that, with all due respect to the Magic, should not be eking out a four-point win at this point in the season. A toss-up matchup with the Knicks awaits in what should be an absolute bloodbath of a series.

Last week: 7th

Somewhat understandably, Sacramento really took their foot off the gas since they became locked in to the three-seed in the West. The Kings took two disappointing losses to the Spurs (yes, the Spurs) and the Mavericks last week. Be that as it may, Sacramento remains a very difficult first-round opponent. A highly-anticipated Northern California showdown with the Warriors will have basketball fans excited.

Last week: 5th

Memphis had not been playing well heading into the playoffs, losers of three of their last five games (that were taken seriously by both teams). They were drummed by the Bulls in a 21-point loss, along with losing to the Pelicans, who sit much lower than them in the standings. The Grizzlies ranked 22nd offensively and 18th defensively during that stretch. Nonetheless, Memphis has earned some trust over the years, and the problems Ja Morant presents during a playoff series are well chronicled. Can Morant fill in for the noted absence of Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke? That's a tough task.

Last week: 8th

New York is officially locked in to playing Cleveland in what should be one heck of a first-round series. The Knicks have feasted on a lighter schedule lately, winning five straight before shutting their main guys down for the final two games. Crucially, Julius Randle is expected to be out with a sprained ankle right up until the playoffs start. But there has been an upside to Randle's injury: it has opened up minutes for Obi Toppin, who is in a contract year. Toppin had 32 points and six assists in 43 minutes in New York's win against Indiana on Thursday last week.

Last week: 11th

Golden State got good news on all fronts last week, going 3-1 in their games, and hearing that Andrew Wiggins should return for the playoffs. Wiggins returning is vital to any shot the Warriors have at repeating as champions. He was a massive part of Golden State's ability to guard Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown effectively in the NBA Finals. As usual, the Warriors are a team that just cannot be written off, no matter how much adversity they face — hence their positioning at 10.

Last week: 15th

After an all but flawless end to the season, the LA Lakers have locked in a showdown with the Wolves in the 7/8 play-in game on Wednesday. This is a team that hasn't looked back since the trade deadline, winning seven of their last nine games. Anthony Davis looks amazing, but Lebron James has been slightly hit-or-miss. Nonetheless, if there is one thing history tells us, it is to never underestimate James in the playoffs.

Last week: 14th

Miami is in good form heading into their play-in game on Wednesday against Atlanta, winners of four from five games. Jimmy Butler seems to be rounding into his usual late-season form, dropping 35 points and 12 assists last week against the Mavericks. In most pundits' eyes, the Heat sit a tier above the other Eastern Conference play-in tournament teams, and should be able to get a win against the Hawks.

Last week: 12th

Brooklyn is in some decent form heading into the playoffs having won four of their final six games. The Nets offence rose from 14th on the season to fifth before over the two-week span before they began to sit their players. This is a great sign for a team with lots of play finishers, but not many players who can create the initial advantage. Of course, the Nets are putting all their eggs in Mikal Bridges' basket, who continues to post incredible stat lines night after night. It will be intriguing to see how Bridges fairs as the Nets' primary shot creator in a first-round playoff series against the 76ers.

Last week: 10th

After a string of outstanding performances, the LA Clippers did not play particularly well last week. They lost two games to the Grizzlies and Pelicans before a get-right win over the Lakers. However, this week came down to their game against the Suns on the final day of the season. If LA lost that game, they would have ended up sixth and played Golden State in the playoffs. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you view a winning mentality) the Clippers won that game and will now be greeted with a series against Phoenix without Paul George. Needless to say, this could be an uphill climb for the Clippers.

Last week: 17th

New Orleans flipped the switch to end the season, winning nine of their last 12 games. Included in this stretch are victories over the Clippers (twice), the Nuggets, Grizzlies and Knicks. The key driver of this success has been Brandon Ingram, who averaged a ridiculous 29 points, five rebounds, and seven assists (!) in March. Additionally, Herb Jones, who has struggled to shoot the ball well for most of the season, has broken out and provided some key spacing for the Pelicans. New Orleans will now face Oklahoma City in the single-elimination 9/10 play-in game on Thursday.

Last week: 18th

Atlanta did something last week they hadn't done in nearly a month: win three games in a row and go two games above .500. The Hawks were able notch consecutive victories this week against the Mavericks, Bulls and Wizards. If there is one thing Atlanta deserves credit for, it's consistency…just not in the way we generally think of it. Per NBA columnist John Hollinger, Atlanta was within a game of .500 for 74 days straight! With that said, Atlanta has a date with Miami on Wednesday in the 7/8 play-in game.

Last week: 16th

Toronto took full advantage of an easier schedule over the past fortnight, winning six of their last nine games. Scottie Barnes' play has been impressive to watch. With the arrival of Jakob Poeltl mid-season, Barnes had to change his role to more of a perimeter scorer and slasher in place of his original role as a de facto centre. This form was perfectly exemplified in last week's game against the Heat, where Barnes dropped a line of 22 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds in Toronto's 14-point victory. The Raptors will play the Bulls in the 9/10 play-in game on Thursday.

Last week: 13th

What a disaster finish to the regular season for Minnesota. In a game that has been well-chronicled, Jaden McDaniels — the Wolves' top wing defender — punched a wall in frustration and ended up breaking his hand. And to make matters worse, Rudy Gobert got in a physical altercation with his own teammate and has been suspended for the 7/8 play-in game against the lakers on Wednesday. It's not looking like this season will end well for Minnesota.

Last week: 19th

Oklahoma City sputtered over the finish line, making it into the play-in tournament. So, what went so wrong down the stretch for the Thunder? Their defence. When OKC was playing their main guys, their defence dropped from 18th on the season to 26th in a two-week span. They will need to lock in on that end if they are to advance in the play-in. Even so, this is an unpredictable team that can beat anyone on their best night. OKC will be put to the test when they travel to New Orleans to play in a hostile environment on Thursday for the 9/10 play-in game in the West.

Last week: 21st

Chicago finished the season with a mixed bag, going 4-4 in their final games. The Bulls snuck into the play-in tournament and will now play Toronto in the 9/10 game on Thursday. Special shoutout to Coby White, who was terrific in March, providing another scoring option for a team that has grown relatively predictable on that end. Although White's three-point percentage is down, he is still averaging 13 points and nearly four assists, while upping his plus/minus from an already great +11 to +21.