Durant and James Set to Clash in NBA Playoffs as Seeding is Finalized

The stage is set for a thrilling NBA playoff series between legendary players Kevin Durant and LeBron James, marking their first meeting in eight years. The seedings were confirmed on the final night of the regular season, with six teams in each conference securing their playoff spots and four more set to compete in the play-in. James' LA Lakers clinched the fourth seed in the Western Conference, earning home court advantage in their best-of-seven series against Durant's Houston Rockets, who are the fifth seed. The Eastern Conference saw a dramatic conclusion to the regular season, with the Boston Celtics defeating the Orlando Magic, forcing Orlando into the eighth spot and the play-in. The Magic will face the Philadelphia 76ers, with the winner advancing to the first round of the playoffs against the Celtics. The New York Knicks secured the No. 3 seed in the east and will meet the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Toronto Raptors. In the west, the Portland Trail Blazers earned the eighth spot and will have two chances to win one game and clinch a playoff berth. The Trail Blazers will play the Phoenix Suns in the 7/8 play-in match-up, with the winner facing Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in round one. The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors and will play again in the 9/10 playoff elimination game, with the winner meeting the loser of the Suns vs Trail Blazers for a chance to take on the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Denver Nuggets, who ended the regular season on a 12-game winning streak, locked up the No. 3 seed and will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. The first round of the playoffs will begin on Sky Sports on April 19, with four live games on Sky Sports Action from 6pm onwards.