NBA

NBA Playoff Race Update: Bucks Back on the Bubble?

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Western Conference - Sure Things

(1) Houston Rockets (58-14, clinched)
(2) Golden State Warriors (53-18, clinched)
(3) Portland Trail Blazers (44-27, 99.5%)

The Trail Blazers haven't clinched a playoff berth just yet, but they become the first team to join the Rockets and Warriors as sure things in the Western Conference after winning 15 of their last 17 contests.

The Blazers could still technically drop out, but the 5.5-game gap separating them and the ninth-place Denver Nuggets is getting a bit too big to take that scenario seriously.