Play In Panic: Raptors Suns 76ers Heat

The late-season picture has compressed into a frantic scramble. Ten lottery teams are out, and many clubs are teetering between a safe seed and the play-in. In the West the Warriors, Trail Blazers and Clippers look locked into the play-in while the Nuggets and Lakers sit comfortably in the postseason. Houston and Minnesota hover near the bubble. In the East seeds 5 through 10 are separated by 2.5 games; Atlanta, Philadelphia and Toronto are jammed together and Charlotte, Miami and Orlando are all but doomed to the play-in. Phoenix, 3.5 games back with eight to play and recent injuries, needs near perfection to climb out. Merlin sees the usual late-season alchemy at work. Hot streaks like Atlanta’s can rewrite expectations, veteran teams like Philly face pressure because of pick protections, and Charlotte’s strong form meets a brutal finish. Expect frantic rotations, minutes management, and a few roster decisions that feel urgent.