New York at Miami, 8:00PM ET, Thursday, TNT Unless there are playoffs specifically for dumpster fires, New York certainly doesn’t have any playoff positioning to worry about, but Miami does. Not from the back end of course, Miami is a solid 9.5 games ahead of the #3 team in Toronto. But, just two games behind the Pacers, the final stretch of the season gives Miami every incentive to make a run at the top spot in these final two months.

Memphis at Oklahoma, 8:00PM ET, Friday, TSOH, FSOK Playoff positioning couldn’t be more important in the ultra-competitive West. Oklahoma currently occupies the #1 spot but San Antonio is right on their heels, making this game even more important when you consider the Grizzlies are making a run at the 8th playoff spot.

New Orleans at LA Clippers, 10:30PM ET, Saturday, FSW2 The Clippers are making a late season push for a coveted top four playoff spot in the West, trying to avoid a much tougher road. Chris Paul knows the lease he has in LA is closing, and it’s time for the world’s top point guard to finally make it past the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Alec Lepage is a Sports and News Blogger for Dish Network and multiple sports blogs. Follow him on Twitter @TheAlecLepage

Categories: Sports Previews, Analysis & Guides