The National Basketball Association (NBA) has been divided into two conferences, Eastern and Western, since 1970. Each conference is then further divided into three divisions, making a total of six divisions in the NBA. The divisions not only determine the teams’ schedule, but they also play a significant role in the playoffs race.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference comprises 15 teams divided into three divisions, the Atlantic, Central, and Southeast divisions. The Atlantic Division consists of the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors. The Central Division is made up of the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Lastly, the Southeast Division comprises the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards.

The teams in the Eastern Conference are predominantly located in the Eastern Time Zone, therefore making scheduling games easier. During the regular season, teams play a total of 82 games, with 52 games being intra-division games, 30 being inter-conference games, and 30 being intra-conference games outside the division.

The playoffs race in the Eastern Conference usually sees the division winners guaranteed a top-four spot, irrespective of their win-loss record. The teams with the next two best records following the division winners then qualify for the playoffs. Therefore, the divisions can significantly affect the standings.

Western Conference

The Western Conference also comprises 15 teams divided into three divisions, the Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest divisions. The Northwest Division is made up of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz. The Pacific Division consists of the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings. Lastly, the Southwest Division comprises the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs.

Teams in the Western Conference are dispersed across three time zones, making scheduling games more difficult than it is for teams in the Eastern Conference. Similar to the Eastern Conference, teams play a total of 82 games, with 52 being intra-division games, 30 being inter-conference games, and 30 being intra-conference games outside the division.

The playoff race in the Western Conference is similar to that of the Eastern Conference, with the division winners guaranteed a top-four spot. The teams with the next two best records after the division winners also qualify for the playoffs.

Conclusion

The NBA’s divisional structure plays a significant role in the playoffs race. The guaranteed top-four spot awarded to the divisional winners increases the stakes of the intra-division games, leading to fierce rivalries. Additionally, winning the division offers an easier first-round encounter in the playoffs, further increasing the importance of the divisions. The Eastern and Western Conference divisions also help to balance the playing field with regards to scheduling, increasing fairness within the league. Overall, the NBA’s divisional structure is essential in ensuring regular-season parity between teams and increasing the stakes of each game during the playoffs race.

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