NBA Playoffs 2024: Playoff positioning fights continue, and see what games matter most

By The Associated Press Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) (AP) – The Dallas Mavericks are in the playoffs. So are the Los Angeles Clippers. There are now seven playoff spots clinched in the NBA: Boston and Milwaukee have them from the Eastern Conference, while Minnesota, Denver, Oklahoma City, Dallas and the Clippers have them from the Western Conference. The Mavericks and Clippers both got big road wins to help secure their berths Tuesday night. That leaves 11 teams still in the running to grab the other five guaranteed playoff spots. Atlanta and Chicago are certain to meet in an elimination play-in game next week. Wednesday’s slate is highlighted by a showdown in the West with Minnesota visiting Denver. The winner will have outright possession of the No. 1 spot in the West with two games remaining — and if the Timberwolves win, they would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker as well. Of the eight games on Wednesday’s schedule, seven have at least some sort of playoff or play-in implications. WEDNESDAY’S NATIONAL TV SCHEDULE Milwaukee...