Golden State's easy win over the Los Angeles Lakers put the defending NBA champions two games ahead of Denver in the race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Still, no seeds out West are clinched. Denver and Houston are vying for No. 2 - mathematically, there are other options, such as Portland getting past both of them for that spot, but in most scenarios the Nuggets and Rockets will be the ones fighting it out. San Antonio could get as high as sixth, but will likely be seventh or eighth.
Plenty of games Friday will affect the West race, with the Portland-Denver matchup likely carrying the most weight on the night's schedule.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
There are 11 games on Friday's schedule with playoff implications.
- Toronto at Charlotte: It's almost win-out-or-bust now for the Hornets. For the Raptors, it's get ready to host the No. 7 seed in Game 1.
- Atlanta at Orlando: The Magic play their final home regular-season game. A win would help the odds that this isn't the
season home finale.
- San Antonio at Washington: Spurs know they'll start the playoffs on the road. Getting out of eighth likely avoids seeing the Warriors right away.
- Boston at Indiana: Winner will hold a one-game lead in the race for the No. 4 spot in the East with two games left. The loser goes to No. 5.
- New York at Houston: The Rockets could become the first team since Phoenix (in February 2009) to score 130 in three consecutive games.
- Miami at Minnesota: It's not a must-win for the Heat, but close. When Dwyane Wade plays, Miami has won seven straight at Minnesota.
- Detroit at Oklahoma City: Pistons are fighting to get in and waiting for Blake Griffin to return, while the Thunder have lost seven of 10.
- Sacramento at Utah: The Jazz are 11-1 in their last 12 games, and still have a shot - albeit slim - of getting to the No. 4 spot out West.
- Portland at Denver: This is the start of a home-and-home that will have a big impact on seeding. Nuggets' recent schedule has been brutal.
- Cleveland at Golden State: Technically, it's a rematch of the last four NBA Finals. Cavs could harm Warriors' plans for West No. 1 seed.
- L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers: Doc Rivers with Clippers - six winning seasons in six years. Clippers pre-Doc - six winning
seasons in 38 years.
- Games with no playoff implications: Memphis at Dallas, New Orleans at Phoenix.
