NBA Daily: Thunder Win 8th Straight, Warriors Continue Quest For 73 Wins

The NBA playoff push is in full swing during the last few weeks of the regular season, and Monday night's 10-game slate provided us with several crucial games. The Chicago Bulls continued their slide out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, losing 102-100 to the Atlanta Hawks (who clinched a playoff spot with the win), while the Dallas Mavericks moved into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with a 97-88 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Elsewhere, Russell Westbrook recorded his 16th triple-double of the season (26 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists) while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors, their eighth-straight win overall.

There are six more games on the slate today, so let's preview tonight's contests from across the Association.

What's On Tap: 
Chicago Bulls (36-37) @ Indiana Pacers (39-34) - 7:00 p.m. ET
Indiana has won three games in a row at home and are a half-game ahead of the Pistons in the No. 7 seed in the East, while Chicago has lost four games in a row and are two and a half games out of the playoffs.

Brooklyn Nets (21-52) @ Orlando Magic (30-43) - 7:00 p.m. ET
Orlando is looking to sweep the season series against the Nets, and a loss would officially eliminate them from playoff contention.

Charlotte Hornets (42-31) @ Philadelphia 76ers (9-65) - 7:00 p.m. ET
Charlotte is 18-5 over their last 23 games, while the Sixers have lost nine games in a row.

Oklahoma City Thunder (52-22) @ Detroit Pistons (39-35) - 7:30 p.m. ET
OKC is trying to win their ninth game in a row, but the stakes are a bit higher for Detroit. The Pistons are two and a half games ahead of the Wizards for the No. 8 spot in the East, but are a half game behind the Pacers for the No. 7 seed.

Houston Rockets (36-38) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (52-21) - 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Houston needs a win to avoid falling to ninth in the West, while the Cavs are inching closer to wrapping up the top seed in the East.

Washington Wizards (36-37) @ Golden State Warriors (66-7) - 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Washington is desperately trying to pick up a key win to help their playoff push, having won six of their last eight games, while Golden State is looking to inch closer to breaking the 1995-96 Bulls' mark for best record in NBA history.

News And Notes:
Chris Paul withdraws from Team USA consideration for 2016 Olympics

Pierce (ankle) 'out for a little bit', Rivers says

Lost Angeles: Lakers lose by 48 to tie team mark

NBA Coaches Most Likely To Be Fired At The End Of The Season