2016 NBA playoff picture: full first-round matchups
Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.
The NBA’s regular season is over, with the Warriors winning a record 73 games and Kobe Bryant going out with a 60-point effort.
Following Wednesday’s final set of games, here’s what the first round of the playoffs looks like.
• BALLARD: Warriors are enjoying the moment | MAHONEY: The Craft
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (57–25)
The Cavaliers clinched the top seed with their 109–94 win over the Hawks on Monday, and will face the Pistons in the first round.
2. Toronto Raptors (56–26)
The Raptors are the No. 2 seed and draw the Pacers in the first round.
3. Miami Heat (48–34)
Despite losing 98–88 to the Celtics on Wednesday, because the Hawks also lost, Miami wins the Southeast division by tiebreak (3–1 head to head record). They will face the Hornets in the first round.
4. Atlanta Hawks (48–34)
After losing to the Wizards 109–98 on Wednesday, the Hawks locked into the No. 4 seed. They will face the Celtics in the first round.
5. Boston Celtics (48–34)
The Celtics beat the Heat 98–88 on Wednesday. Although they hold a head to head tiebreaker over Miami, because the Hawks also lost, the Heat wins the Southeast division by default and keeps homecourt advantage. Boston is the No. 5 seed and draws Atlanta in the first round.
6. Charlotte Hornets (48–34)
The Hornets are the sixth seed, due to the Hawks and Celtics owning head to head tiebreakers. They get the Heat in the first round.
• JENKINS: Kemba Walker is looking for postseason magic ... again
7. Indiana Pacers (45–37)
The Pacers were the final Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff spot and are the No. 7 seed. Indiana will face Toronto in the first round.
8. Detroit Pistons (44–38)
The eighth-seeded Pistons will make their first postseason appearance since the 2008–09 season and will play the Cavaliers, who they beat 112–110 on Wednesday, in the first round.
Open Floor: SI's NBA podcast
Sports Illustrated Podcast Network
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors (73–9)
The Warriors have clinched home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Golden State set a new NBA record with 73 regular season wins after defeating the Grizzlies on Wednesday, and will face the Rockets in the first round.
2. San Antonio Spurs (67–15)
The Spurs are locked into the No. 2 seed and will face the Mavericks in the first round.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (55–27)
The Thunder have finished the regular season and is locked into the No. 3 seed. It will face either the Mavericks or Grizzlies in the first round.
• BALLARD: Warriors motivated in Chase for 73 | SI’s Warriors tracker
4. Los Angeles Clippers (53–29)
The Clippers are locked into the No. 4 seed and will face the Trail Blazers in the first round.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (44–38)
The Trail Blazers are the No. 5 seed after the Mavericks lost on Wednesday, and draw the Clippers.
6. Dallas Mavericks (42–40)
The Mavericks lost to the Spurs 96–91 on Wednesday and finished sixth after the Grizzlies fell to the Warriors. They draw the Thunder.
7. Memphis Grizzlies (42–40)
The Grizzlies are the No. 7 seed after losing to the Warriors on Wednesday. They will play the Spurs.
8. Houston Rockets (41–41)
The Rockets beat the Kings 116–81 on Wednesday and take the No. 8 seed thanks to a tiebreaker over the Jazz.
Out: Utah Jazz (40–41)
The Jazz lost control of their postseason destiny with their 101–92 loss to Dallas on Monday. Houston’s win over Sacramento on Wednesday eliminated Utah.
