Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

After winning the Eastern Conference in the bubble last summer, the Heat were swept in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Former Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton, a giant defensive force in the NBA in the 1980s, has died. He was 64.

Because of a tight window between the NBA playoffs and start of the Olympics, putting together the men’s basketball roster will carry some challenges.

The small-market Spurs have won five NBA titles. But they are clearly the exception in a league where large-market franchises remain dominant.

The Nets’ trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden shook off a frigid start in their first playoff game together to handle the Celtics.

Six weeks after falling to 17-32 and 13th place in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards are headed to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

The Washington Wizards host the Indiana Pacers in Thursday’s play-in game with the winner getting the eighth seed and the loser going home.

Jayson Tatum erupted for 50 points as the Celtics pulled away from the Wizards to secure the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with the Nets.

The NBA play-in game matchups are set, with Hornets-Pacers and Wizards-Celtics in the East, and Spurs-Grizzlies and Warriors-Lakers out West.