Final Day Playoff Drama: Lakers Nuggets Hawks Raptors

With one day left, the playoff picture is simple. Several teams control their own fate: the Lakers need one win to crack the West top four, Denver can hold No. 3 with a victory, and Portland seized the inside track to No. 8 after beating the Clippers, needing either a win over Sacramento or a Clippers loss. In the East, Atlanta and Toronto just need wins to lock top six spots, Orlando likely keeps No. 7 if Boston rests starters, and Charlotte can clinch No. 9 with a victory. Merlin sees motivation as the secret ingredient. Teams locked into seeds will tend to rest stars, turning some contests into traps and making play-in berths fragile. Expect a smattering of coached-up lineups and one or two late upsets to reshuffle the lower seeds.