Plenty of drama as contenders jostle for spots in playoff dance

Here's a look at where things are:

Eastern conference

In: No 1 Milwaukee, No 2 Toronto, No 3 Philadelphia, No 4 Indiana.

The Bucks are in total control of the race for the No 1 overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Only a total meltdown over the next two weeks would put that in jeopardy.

Really, the two interesting games left on their schedule are Tuesday against Houston (Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. James Harden in the MVP battle will be the dominant narrative) and April 4 at Philadelphia (two teams that just don't like one another).

Toronto's remaining schedule is the easiest left in the NBA, but the Raptors still might have run out of time in their quest to catch the Bucks.

On the verge: Boston. It's only a matter of time. The Celtics are going to get in.

What's left: Technically, six teams - Detroit, Brooklyn, Miami, Orlando, Charlotte and Washington - for three spots. Washington's odds are almost nonexistent.

The Miami-Orlando game on Tuesday is enormous, especially for the Heat.

Brooklyn's remaining schedule looks incredibly tough, unless the Nets run into some teams who rest stars on those nights. And with two games against Milwaukee in April, that's possible.

Out: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, New York.

Western conference

In: No 1 Golden State, No 2 Denver, No 3 Houston.

The race for No 1 in the West is obviously important for home-court advantage through as many rounds as possible, but there's something else for the Warriors and Nuggets to consider.

If Houston - playoff-bound for a franchise-record-tying seventh straight year - finishes in the No 3 spot, then the top-seeded team would avoid seeing Rockets superstar James Harden until the West finals.

On the verge: Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City, Utah, San Antonio.

The Spurs are eighth, but they have a very easy schedule left and shouldn't have much trouble not only clinching, but possibly moving up a spot or two.

Still has a tiny chance: Sacramento, which probably can't lose more than one or two games the rest of the way.

Out: Minnesota, the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas and Phoenix.

Meanwhile, Goran Dragic vs. Luka Doncic for the first time on Thursday night in Miami is the week's top storyline.

The NBA's two Slovenian players this season - who teamed up to help their tiny nation win the European championship in 2017 - will finally face off.

Dragic missed Miami's game in Dallas last month, so this will be their first time sharing the court in different uniforms.

Associated Press