Basic Playoff Format
The NBA playoffs feature 16 teams total, with 8 teams from the Eastern Conference and 8 teams from the Western Conference. These teams are determined by their regular season performance. Teams are ranked based on their winning percentage, which is calculated by dividing wins by total games played.
Seeding and Matchups
Teams are seeded 1 through 8 in each conference based on their winning percentage. The top-seeded team plays the 8th-seeded team, the 2nd seed plays the 7th seed, the 3rd seed plays the 6th seed, and the 4th seed plays the 5th seed. This seeding system means the best team faces the worst qualifying team, creating competitive balance.
Play-In Tournament
Starting in 2021, the NBA added a play-in tournament for teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. The 7th and 8th seeds play each other, with the winner claiming the 7th playoff seed. The 9th and 10th seeds also play each other, and the winner plays the loser of the 7th-8th game for the 8th playoff seed. This tournament determines the final two playoff spots in each conference.
Regular Season Requirement
To be eligible for the playoffs, a team must complete the full NBA regular season. There are no other special eligibility requirements beyond having one of the best records in their conference. All 30 NBA teams have an equal opportunity to qualify based on their performance throughout the regular season.
Conference System
The NBA maintains two separate conferences that operate independently during the regular season. A team's playoff eligibility is determined solely by its standing within its own conference. Teams from different conferences do not play each other for playoff positioning, and the two conferences do not combine their records to determine playoff spots. 
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