Brace yourselves, basketball fans. The 2021 NBA playoffs are almost here.
There is an added level of intrigue this year with the league implementing a new version of the play-in tournament, which was first seen inside the Florida "bubble" amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the traditional eight-team fields in each conference, a total of 20 teams will participate in the postseason.
MORE: Latest standings | Daily NBA schedule
With multiple contenders battling for playoff positioning, the final stretch of the regular season should provide plenty of entertainment.
Here's a snapshot of the current NBA playoff picture, including the full standings for each conference.
NBA standings 2021: Eastern Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
| 1. | 76ers* | 49-23 | — |
| 2. | Nets* | 48-24 | 1 |
| 3. | Bucks* | 46-26 | 3 |
| 4. | Knicks* | 41-31 | 8 |
| 5. | Hawks* | 41-31 | 8 |
| 6. | Heat* | 40-32 | 9 |
| 7. | Celtics** | 36-36 | 13 |
| 8. | Wizards** | 34-38 | 15 |
| 9. | Pacers** | 34-38 | 15 |
| 10. | Hornets** | 33-39 | 16 |
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*clinched playoff berth
**clinched play-in berth
Eliminated from playoff contention: Bulls, Cavaliers, Magic, Pistons, Raptors
NBA standings 2021: Western Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games back |
| 1. | Jazz* | 52-20 | — |
| 2. | Suns* | 51-21 | 1 |
| 3. | Nuggets* | 47-25 | 5 |
| 4. | Clippers* | 47-25 | 5 |
| 5. | Mavericks* | 42-30 | 10 |
| 6. | Trail Blazers* | 42-30 | 10 |
| 7. | Lakers** | 42-30 | 10 |
| 8. | Warriors** | 39-33 | 13 |
| 9. | Grizzlies** | 38-34 | 14 |
| 10. | Spurs** | 33-39 | 19 |
| — | |||
| — | |||
| — | |||
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*clinched playoff berth
**clinched play-in berth
Eliminated from playoff contention: Kings, Pelicans, Rockets, Thunder, Timberwolves
How does the NBA play-in tournament work?
- The play-in tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2020-21 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the play-in tournament.
- Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- Beyond the play-in tournament, the 2021 NBA playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
— NBA (@NBA) March 10, 2021
NBA playoff picture: Seeding breakdowns
Eastern Conference
1. 76ers
2. Nets
3. Bucks
4. Knicks
5. Hawks
6. Heat
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7. Celtics
8. Wizards
9. Pacers
10. Hornets
Western Conference
1. Jazz
2. Suns
3. Nuggets
4. Clippers
5. Mavericks
6. Trail Blazers
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7. Lakers
8. Warriors
9. Grizzlies
10. Spurs