#PlayoffPush

WEST

Denver Nuggets

- record 34-28
- games remaining: 4
- @ Phoenix, vs Magic, @ Oklahoma City, @ Minnesota

Saturday afternoon's tilt in Phoenix has major playoff implications with the Suns now sitting just a game and a half back of the Nuggets. The Nuggets still seem like the best bet of the playoff contenders to grab the seventh seed in the West, but have battled injuries all season long that have led to inconsistency. Without Wilson Chandler and Rudy Fernandez, the Nuggets have to hope the rest of their players' health holds up. JaVale McGee hasn't proven to be a reliable replacement for Nene yet, either. A relatively tough schedule down the stretch makes it a possibility that the Nugs collapse, but they're still 1.5 games ahead of the Phoenix-Houston-Utah battle for eighth place.

Phoenix Suns

- record 33-30
- games remaining: 3
- vs Nuggets, @ Utah, vs Spurs

With a clutch win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and a Rockets OT loss, the Suns have climbed back into the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix holds the tie-breaker over both the Jazz and the Rockets and if the three teams end up tied, the Suns will be in the playoffs. Steve Nash has had yet another great season at the age of 38 and he's the catalyst for this Suns' drive into the playoffs and they're 8-4 in the month of April. Grant Hill's health is questionable and he's forcing himself to come back too soon if he indeed plays on Saturday against Denver. With the toughest remaining schedule of any of the #playoffpush teams, it will be a real accomplishment if the Suns make the playoffs.

Utah Jazz

- record 33-30
- games remaining: 3
- vs Orlando, vs Phoenix, vs Portland

CJ Miles is out of a boot and off crutches, Raja Bell and Josh Howard are both set to return to practice after battling knee injuries, but Earl Watson is going to undergo knee surgery soon and is out for the year. Injuries have plagued Utah's guards, but the frontcourt has been their strength all season with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter to a lesser extent. Devin Harris is averaging 11.3 points and 5.1 assists and has improved of late and his play could dictate whether the Jazz are playing in the postseason. With winnable games against Portland and a Howard-less Orlando, the playoffs may ride on the Tuesday night game when Utah hosts the Suns. Win or lose Tuesdays game, the Suns hold the tie-breaker that may leave the Jazz out of luck, but the Suns also have a tougher schedule.

Houston Rockets

- record 32-31
- games remaining: 3
- vs Warriors, @ Miami, vs Hornets

After losing six straight games the Rockets now sit on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoffs. The last loss was especially crushing as the Hornets played spoiler by beating the Rockets in overtime. The remaining schedule for the Rockets may be the easiest of the Western contenders, but they're already a full game back of the Jazz and Suns. The Warriors are 22-39, the Heat may rest their stars, and the Hornets rematch will be fierce. Kevin Martin's shoulder injury is keeping him off the court, and between Camby and Dalembert the Rockets should have one healthy, reliable big man. With little wiggle room, Houston will likely have to win all three of their final games to make the playoffs.

EAST

Philadelphia 76ers 

- record 32-30
- games remaining: 4
- @ Indiana, @ New Jersey, @ Milwaukee, @ Detroit

The Sixers are already selling playoff tickets on their website and they have the final seed in the Eastern Conference all but locked up. With the Bucks now three games back, Philly just needs one more win to clinch a post-season berth. The resurgent Celtics have surpassed the Sixers after they led the Atlantic division for the majority of the season. Louis Williams is coming off the bench averaging a team-high 14.9 points per game. With no players averaging over 15 points, the balanced team approach led by veteran coach Doug Collins used to look like the the teams' greatest strength, but has turned into a big question mark since the Sixers tailspin late in the season. Regardless of who will score, continuing their strong defense will lead them into the playoffs and beyond.

Milwaukee Bucks

- record 29-33
- games remaining: 4
- vs Nets, vs Raptors, vs 76ers, @ Boston

If Milwaukee can win their next two games at home against the Nets and Raptors (and the Sixers lose on the road to Indiana and New Jersey) it will set up a crucial, late-season, all-in, playoffs on the line. The last Bucks loss guaranteed the Knicks a playoff spot. A late-season trade brought Monta Ellis to Milwaukee and he's averaged just 17.9 points in 19 games, his lowest average in five years. Trading away injury-plagued Andrew Bogut also depleted the depth up front with Drew Gooden and Ekpe Udoh attempting to control the painted area. The Bucks have a tough road ahead of them if they want to make the playoffs and it will rely on the Jennings-Ellis backcourt.