Eastern Conference
Season series: 2-1 for Indiana, therefore if it's a tie the Pacers would win the tie-breaker.
Hawks remaining schedule: vs Boston (April 12), vs Orlando (April 15), @ Miami (April 16)
Pacers remaining schedule: vs Charlotte (April 12), @ Washington (April 14), vs New York (April 16)
I'd say Indiana has a favourable schedule, and have a good chance of winning all 3 of them. Though, the Washington game will be tough since the Wizards will be fighting for playoff positioning as well. As for the Hawks, they need to hope that the Magic and Celtics will rest their starters for extended minutes again or else their chances of winning look slim. The magic number for Atlanta is 2.
Western Conference
Season series: 3-1 for Denver, therefore if it's a tie the Nuggets would win the tie-breaker.
Nuggets remaining schedule: @ Utah (April 12), vs Houston (April 13), vs Memphis (April 16)
Warriors remaining schedule: vs LA Clippers (April 12), @ Phoenix (April 14), vs Seattle (April 16)
The Nuggets have two hard games coming up in Utah and then having to play Houston on a back-to-back. They could very well lose those 2 games and be back in 9th seed. G-State has two cupcake games against the Sonics and Clippers which they should win. The key game for them is beating Phoenix on the 14th, if they can win out and hope the Nuggets lose against the Jazz and Rockets the Warriors are in.
