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\In the past few weeks, the playoff picture for the NBA has begun to materialize as the season comes to a close. Following the All-Star break, rosters have been solidified and teams are prepared to make a late season playoff push. The New Orleans Pelicans traded guard Buddy Hield to the Sacramento Kings for star center Demarcus Cousins in an attempt to become a legitimate playoff contender for the 8th seed. The Rockets made a smaller trade, dumping Corey Brewer for Sixth Man of the Year candidate Lou Williams.

In the West, the top seeds are pretty much set. The Warriors have another record year, most likely ending up with the top seed for the 3rd straight year as the Spurs make the playoffs yet again, with the 2nd seed. While it is possible that the Warriors and Spurs could seeds, it is unlikely. The Rockets are solidified in the 3rd seed, being unable to realistically move up or down. The Jazz have quietly landed in the 4th seed, although they are facing pressure from the Los Angeles Clippers. The 4th and 5th will most likely be the Jazz and Clippers, although their order will be set in stone in the coming weeks. Oklahoma City and Memphis have secured a playoff spot as well, while Denver and Portland will be duking it out over the 8th seed.

The Eastern Conference is a lot more interesting. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who have had a firm grasp on the 1st seed all season, have had a late season melt down and have given it up to the Boston Celtics. All four teams who have clinched a playoff spot in the East (Boston, Cleveland, Toronto, and Washington) are all in contention for the first seed. The past couple games LeBron James of the Cavaliers has been on a tear, so the first seed will most likely come down to either Boston or Cleveland. The rest of the East is pretty much a mess. Miami has recovered from a treacherous spot to claim the 8th seed for the moment, though that could possibly change with the Pacers or Hornets stealing their spot. The next few weeks will be extremely telling for how the Eastern conference will shape up, considering how it has been extremely volatile this season in comparison to the West which has had some more consistency.