With the playoffs less than a month away, NBA teams are looking to solidify their spots in the playoffs.  Let’s take a look at what happened in this action-packed week.

In the West, the Denver Nuggets, led by last season’s MVP Nikola Jokic, still hold first place. With 50 wins, the Nuggets look like the front runner for first place in the West.

However, the Memphis Grizzlies are closing in on the Nuggets’ lead with their five-game winning streak. Despite the drama with Grizzlies star, Ja Morant, the team has already clinched a playoff spot, like the Nuggets.

Close behind the Grizzlies are the Sacramento Kings. This Kings team has been making headlines in their record-breaking season.  In the past decade, the Kings have not had a winning season until this year. Fans are hoping that the Kings can “light the beam” and make a run for the Finals this year.

Although they are not in the top five teams in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers are always a hot team in the playoffs. 

This is obviously due to the all-time leading points scorer, LeBron James.  James is expected to return for this next week of games following a foot injury, and many people think that the Lakers can make a serious playoff run.  We all know what The King can do in the playoffs.

In the East, the Milwaukee Bucks still hold the top spot. With the most wins in the league at 53, the Bucks look to be the number-one contender for the championship

Because of the 76ers’ recent losses, the Boston Celtics have moved up to the two-seed.  The Celtics are currently on a two-game winning streak and are only two games back from the Bucks.

With what looks to be the best roster in the East, the Celtics plan to chase that one seed. 

As mentioned before, the three-seed and last team in the East to clinch a playoff spot is the Philadelphia 76ers. With an extremely difficult ending schedule, the 76ers had to rise up to the challenge.

Unfortunately, the Sixers haven't done that recently.  They are currently on a two-game losing streak and still have to face the Nuggets, Bucks and Celtics in the next two weeks.

Fans are skeptical if the Sixers can make an appearance in the Finals with their historical “second-round exits” under head coach, Doc Rivers. 

Right behind the 76ers are the Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell.  The Cavs are on a two-game winning streak and are two and a half games behind the Sixers at the four spot. 

With an easier schedule than the Sixers, we will see if the Cavs have a chance to take that three seed from the Sixers.

With seedings bound to change, it’s still anyone’s game. What teams will rise up, and what teams will buckle under the pressure?

Nick Volpe is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, please email nickvolpe16@gmail.com or njv5251@psu.edu