Pistons, Thunder Clinch Top Seeds, Play In Chaos

With the regular season entering its final day, the playoff picture is mostly set. All 30 teams played Friday; only one Eastern seed remains undecided while Western playoff and play-in teams are locked though seeding can change. Detroit, Boston, New York and Cleveland hold the East's top four, and Oklahoma City and San Antonio are locked atop the West. Portland can clinch No. 8 with a win; Atlanta, Toronto, Orlando and Philadelphia fight the final East spots. Merlin senses calm with small storms ahead. He favors Denver to keep No. 3, doubts the Lakers' health will hold, and expects the Suns, Trail Blazers and one of the Magic or 76ers to advance from the play-in but not past round one. A Knicks Celtics semifinal would delight, and a Nuggets Spurs clash featuring Wembanyama and Jokić would be truly magical.