NBA 2024 play-off contenders and how to watch games on BBC including Lakers v Suns

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday morning live on BBC One

The NBA is back with the regular season entering its final third, and you can watch a handful of games live on the BBC over the next few weeks.

The Philadelphia 76ers against the Cleveland Cavaliers will be the first match live on BBC One in the early hours of Saturday, 24 February (00:30 GMT).

The Denver Nuggets are the defending champions after beating the Miami Heat in the finals last year, but who are the front-runners to go all the way this season?

BBC Sport previews the final months of the NBA regular season.

Who makes the play-offs?

Of the 30 NBA teams, 20 will go into the play-offs.

There are 82 regular-season games, and teams have between 26 and 29 matches left, so there is plenty to play for.

One side who can be certain of their spot in the play-offs are the Boston Celtics, who have won 41 of their 55 matches so far.

Since the play-in tournament was introduced for the 2020-21 campaign, a regular season of 40 or more wins has guaranteed making the post-season.

Who will win MVP?

The 76ers centre Joel Embiid will not be retaining his crown as the league's Most Valuable Player because of injury, which also saw him miss the All-Star Game.

Embiid had starred this season for the 76ers, but he will fall short of the minimum of 65 regular season matches played in order to be in the running for the award.

The Denver Nuggets' centre Nikola Jokic currently ranks as one of the big favourites, having won the award in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Statistically, he has been the most efficient player in the NBA this season.

The Oklohoma City Thunder's guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also in the running, leading the league in steals per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks' power forward who is also a two-time MVP winner, is a big contender, as is the Dallas Mavericks' point guard Luka Doncic who leads the league for points per game.

The Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis leads in rebounds per game, double-doubles and triple-doubles, while the Milwaukee Bucks' point guard Damian Lillard is also in the frame.

Joel Embiid had been a contender to win the Most Valuable Player award for a second consecutive season prior to having knee surgery earlier this month

76ers without Embiid

The 76ers have been one of this season's standout teams, but they have struggled without Embiid.

With a 32-22 record, the 76ers are fifth in the Eastern Conference and in a play-off place by two wins. However, their record with Embiid is much better than without him.

Embiid has played 34 matches this season, with the 76ers winning 26 of them. Without him, they have posted a record of 6-16.

See how the 76ers continue to fare without Embiid on Saturday morning against the Cavaliers live on BBC One.

Celtics to end 16-year wait?

The Celtics have been the standout side in the league so far this term with a record of 41-14 from their 55 games.

The Celtics, alongside the Los Angeles Lakers, are the joint-most successful franchise in NBA history with 17 titles each, 10 more than any other side.

However, the Celtics have not lifted the trophy since 2008, losing the 2010 and 2022 finals to the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors respectively.

Given their current form, the Celtics are currently the team to beat and should they continue their run, they could be on their way to an unprecedented 18th title.

LeBron James became the first player to play in 20 NBA all-star games last Sunday

James' last dance with Lakers?

This season could also mark the end of LeBron James' six-year spell with the Lakers.

Speaking before his 20th all-star outing, James, who won the 2020 NBA title with the franchise, said that while he wanted to continue his career next season with the Lakers, nothing was set in stone.

Reports have suggested they are considering signing his son Bronny in next year's draft, which could help keep LeBron at the Lakers.

See how James and his team fare against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, 25 February at 20:30 (GMT) on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, with live text updates on the BBC Sport website.

How to follow the NBA on the BBC?

BBC will be showing five regular season matches and up to four further matches during the post season.

Select matches will be shown on BBC One, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app of some selected matches.

Philadelphia 76ers v Cleveland Cavaliers (23 Feb, 00:30 GMT, BBC One)

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers (25 Feb, 20:30 GMT, BBC Three)

Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks (1 March, 00:30 GMT, BBC One)

Boston Celtics v Golden State Warriors (3 March, 20:30 GMT, BBC Three)

Dallas Mavericks v Denver Nuggets (17 March, 20:30 GMT BBC Three)

Details of further matches shown by the BBC are still to be confirmed and are subject to change.