NBA playoffs: Latest updates for Friday’s games

It’s win or go home for four teams on Friday as the NBA playoffs conclude.

The Orlando Magic host is Charlotte Hornets and the winner gets the Eastern Conference’s number 8 seed. Orlando lost to Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday, and the Hornets survived to defeat Miami Heat Tuesday, setting up a matchup. The winning team will face the top seed Detroit Pistons in the first part.

Charlotte, looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, won the series 3-1 against Orlando and all three victories came with at least 15 points. The Magic can reach the playoffs for the third straight season.

In the Western Conference, a Golden State Warriors walk to play Phoenix Suns for seed 8. The Portland Trail Blazers beat Phoenix on Tuesday, and the next night, Golden State came back to fight LA Clippers. The winner of the matchup advances to the first round to compete against the top-ranked and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Warriors beat the Suns three out of four times in the regular season. But their most recent matchup was Feb. 5 and did not include the Golden State star Stephen Curry or Phoenix stars Devin Booker and Jalen Green. Curry is coming off a 35-point game, including 27 in the second half, against the Clippers.

Who will keep their season live on Friday? Always follow the best times.