Due to some big, fancy collegiate sporting event tonight, there is only one game on the NBA schedule today.
Portland Trail Blazers (50-26) @ Brooklyn Nets (35-41)
Time: 4:00 PM PST
How to watch: NBAtv, YES, CSNW
Notes: In preparation for the playoffs, the Blazers Terry Stotts is channeling his inner Gregg Popovich and deciding to rest some key players late in the season. Chris Kaman (rest), Nicolas Batum (rest), LaMarcus Aldridge (rest), Dorell Wright (hand), and Wesley Matthews (achilles) are all out for today's game. For the Nets, Alan Anderson (ankle), Sergey Karasev (knee), and Mirza Teletovic (illness) are all out. The Blazers are 6-4 in their last 10 games, and have won 2 straight since blowing a 19 point lead against the Clippers. The Nets are one of the hot teams in the NBA heading into the playoffs, having gone 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Impact: The Blazers are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, currently tied in the loss column with the Clippers and Spurs. They are guaranteed at least the 4 seed, regardless of record, due to the fact that they will be the Northwest division champs, but are not guaranteed home court advantage. They have a chance for a higher seed, and in turn guaranteeing home court in the first round, if they can pass the Grizzlies (1 game back in loss column, but Grizzlies own the tie-breaker) or catch the Rockets (2 games back in the loss column, Blazers own the tie-breaker). The Nets are close to securing a playoff spot out east, currently sitting as the 7 seed. They sit just 2 games back in the loss column behind the Bucks for 6th, and 1 game up on the Celtics in the loss column for 8th. There is still a slim chance they could miss the playoffs, as they currently are 2 games up in the loss column on both the Pacers and Heat. They own the tie-breaker over the Pacers,, but the Heat own the tiebreaker over the Nets.