The end of the 2022/23 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season is drawing nigh, and with only four teams (three in the Eastern Conference) already clinching play-off spots the battle is going to be fierce for play-off positions in both conferences.

The Milwaukee Bucks, having been the first to register 50 wins and the first to qualify for the post-season, stand atop the league. The Boston Celtics, despite going through a rough patch, also hit the 50-mark last week and booked their spot, while Joel Embiid motored the Philadelphia 76ers into the play-offs, after an eight-game win streak, and the Denver Nuggets have lumbered into the extended season with an iffy record in March.

The Bucks survived a challenge from the upstart Sacramento Kings on the road last week, but Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 46 points and 12 rebounds ultimately repelled the charge. He followed that up with 36 points and 11 boards in a win over the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee’s 50th win, but the Bucks suffered a 16-point upset loss against the Indiana Pacers last week Thursday, which proved to be only a minor bump on the road as they got back to winning ways on Sunday against the Raptors, in large part to an Antetokounmpo triple-double, his fourth of the season.

Apart from a few hiccoughs, the Bucks have enjoyed a successful March 2023 and they travel out west this evening to take on the Utah Jazz, who started the season strong but have been indifferent in recent games – a Milwaukee win is anticipated. Then tomorrow (Saturday), they visit Denver where the west-leading Nuggets will have an opportunity to improve on their impressive home record (30-6). This Eastern-leading versus Western-leading match-up promises to be a good watch.

The Celtics have struggled in March 2023, losing almost as much as they are winning, but had their 50th win on Tuesday, March 21 against the Kings, in Sacramento, behind 36 points from Jayson Tatum – the win guaranteed their participation in this season’s play-offs. Boston’s wins in March have averaged 12.3 points difference, while their losses have averaged only 3.8 points, which has given them the second-best record in the league, behind the red-hot Bucks, making the Milwaukee-Boston Conference Finals a mouth-watering possibility.

The Celtics have a relatively easy weekend – as easy as it can be in the NBA – since they will welcome the Indiana Pacers into TD Garden this evening and the San Antonio Spurs will come visiting on Sunday – the Pacers are just off the pace in the play-off race in the East and the Spurs have already been eliminated from playoff contention in the West.

The third team in the East with a current guarantee for the play-offs are the ‘Sixers’, with the league’s leading scorer and touted favourite for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, Embiid carrying the brunt of the effort. He has been exceptional in March, averaging 36.1 points for the month, just above his league-leading 33.6 points per game, for the season. Tag on his 54.6 per cent shooting efficiency (including 31.1 per cent from three-point range), 85.5 per cent from the free-throw line, plus 10.3 rebounds per game and it’s easy to see why he is leading the MVP conversation.

Philadelphia have two tough away assignments this weekend against last season’s Western Conference Finals contenders, the Golden State Warriors this evening and the Phoenix Suns tomorrow, Saturday. Both opponents have played good at home all season, particularly the Warriors, and if the 76ers can emerge with at least one win, it would be considered a successful weekend. Unfortunately, their west coast trip also includes the west-leading Nuggets next Monday and the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, followed by six play-off contenders to close the regular season.This will be a grind to the wire.

The only other current surety for the play-offs are the Nuggets, whose losing streak stretched to a season-long four games following a 15-point defeat in Toronto last week Tuesday against the Raptors. They got back in the win column a few nights later against the Detroit Pistons, and in doing so they clinched the Northwest Division title and the first play-off spot of any Western Conference team. The Denver Nuggets have been number one in the West for most of the season, but their gap has shortened after a four-game slide, which included an eight-point loss to the Spurs. They only have the Bucks to contend with this weekend – which will take all they have to give – but the schedule of their last eight games includes Philadelphia, Sacramento, Phoenix (twice) and the Golden State Warriors. Their mettle will be fully tested.

Speaking of the defending champion Warriors, who broke an 11-game road losing streak when they defeated the last-placed Houston Rockets on Monday, March 20, they should reasonably make the play-offs anywhere from number five to number seven in the West. Considering their dismal road record this season, the fact that five of their last eight games will be played at Chase Center augurs well for their chances. The home games include the 76ers tonight and the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday evening, where they are expected to (at least) win against Minnesota.

The stock of the Memphis Grizzlies took a turn for the better when Ja Morant returned to the court for their game on Wednesday, March 22 against the Rockets. Morant made an appearance in street clothes on Monday as the Grizzlies hosted the Dallas Mavericks, overcoming a 16-point, fourth-quarter deficit for a 112-108 win. The home crowd welcomed the two-time All-Star guard with quite an ovation in his first team appearance since his disgraceful eight-game suspension earlier this month. The Grizzlies were 6-3 in Morant’s absence but are clinging on to the number two seed in the West, with Sacramento breathing down their necks.

The 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2022 Kia Most Improved Player returned at the right time to help his team outlast Sacramento and possibly challenge Denver for the top spot in the conference. Their last 10 games include the Rockets at home in the FedEx Forum this evening and away to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon, which should provide enough game-play to get Morant up to speed to close the season. If Memphis falls to third they could potentially face off against the Warriors in the opening round, who eliminated them last year en route to the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

NBA CHAMPION 2023

Team — Odds

Milwaukee Bucks 3.90

Boston Celtics 4.40

Phoenix Suns 5.80

Denver Nuggets 7.80

Philadelphia 76ers 10.00

Golden State Warriors 12.00

Los Angeles Clippers 15.00

Memphis Grizzlies 18.00

Dallas Mavericks 26.00

Cleveland Cavaliers 30.00

*Only top 10 odds shown (see website for full list)

Note: Odds are subject to change

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