The race for playoff positioning in the Western Conference is reaching a boiling point, as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets are locked in a tight battle for the top three spots. With just one game separating them, every win and loss is crucial as they jostle for positions.

In a recent faceoff between the Timberwolves and the Nuggets, Minnesota emerged victorious with a 111-98 win, giving them a 2-1 advantage in the regular-season series. However, there is still one more game between these two teams on April 10, which could have significant implications for their playoff standings.

The tiebreakers between these three teams become increasingly complex if they end up with identical records. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record, followed by division record. Currently, the Timberwolves hold a 12-3 record in the Northwest Division, followed closely by the Thunder with a 12-4 record, and the Nuggets with an 8-6 record. If the overall and divisional records remain the same, conference record will be the deciding factor. Minnesota has a slight edge with a 35-12 record against Western Conference opponents, compared to Oklahoma City's 33-16 record.

As it stands, the top three positions in the Western Conference are as follows: the Minnesota Timberwolves hold the first spot with a record of 51-22, followed closely by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the same record. The Denver Nuggets sit at the third spot with a record of 51-23.

While the battle for the top three positions intensifies, other teams in the Western Conference are also vying for playoff spots. The Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks are separated by just two games in the race for seeds four through six. The Mavericks have a slight advantage, while the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are trailing closely, trying to avoid the play-in tournament.

The Suns' final stretch of games is challenging, as they face several teams currently in playoff contention. This gives hope to the Kings, Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets to potentially make a move and secure a playoff spot.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have already clinched the No. 1 seed. However, the race for the No. 2 spot is heating up, with the Cleveland Cavaliers only two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the loss column.

The New York Knicks are also in a strong position, despite missing key players. They have a good chance of staying in the top four, especially with the struggling Orlando Magic, who have lost three straight games.

The playoff race is intensifying as teams aim to secure their positions in the standings. Every win and loss becomes critical as the regular season draws to a close. The competition is fierce, and fans can expect thrilling matchups in the coming days as teams battle it out for playoff spots and advantageous seedings.

Note: This article is based on the provided information and does not include any additional news or updates.