NBA

NBA Playoff Race Update: The Toronto Raptors Clinch

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Western Conference - Dead or Dying

(10) Minnesota Timberwolves (32-35, 1.4%)
(11) Los Angeles Lakers (30-36, 0.0%)
(12) New Orleans Pelicans (30-39, 0.0%)
(13) Memphis Grizzlies (28-40, 0.0%)
(14) Dallas Mavericks (27-39, 0.0%)
(15) Phoenix Suns (16-52, eliminated)

The Los Angeles Lakers are the only team to drop into this tier this week, although the change is admittedly a week overdue. They are currently seven games back of the eighth-place Utah Jazz, with only 16 games left on the schedule. They are pretty well toast.

The Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, became the first Western Conference team to be eliminated from playoff contention.