Paul Sakuma / AP

Jason Richardson and the Golden State Warriors are fighting for the playoffs this week.

Because of the wacky new system of seeding teams instituted this season — which is actually more fair than the insane system the league used last year that produced a Dallas-San Antonio semifinal even though they had the two best records in the conference — the Cavs and Bulls are locked in a ferocious fight for that No. 2 seed, even though neither will win the Central Division title. That belongs to Detroit.

The Bulls have the edge. After pulverizing the weakened Wizards on Sunday afternoon, they’re at 49-32, with one game remaining on Wednesday at New Jersey. If they win that, they’re No. 2. And they also own the tiebreaker with the Cavs because of a better division record.

The Cavs have two contests left, both against lame opposition: on Tuesday at Philadelphia, and Wednesday at home against Milwaukee. Cleveland will have to pray it can dispatch the Sixers and Bucks and that the Nets can do them a favor against the Bulls.

Kudos to the Toronto Raptors, who not only are going to the postseason for the first time in five years but earned the home court in the first round. A statue outside their arena in tribute to Chris Bosh can’t be too far behind.

The Pistons, who have clinched the top seed in the East, will probably play the Orlando Magic in the first round. The Magic nailed down a playoff spot, likely No. 8, by winning a squeaker over the Celtics Sunday night. It’s the Magic’s first postseason appearance in four years. Keep a close eye on this team during the playoffs, because if you don’t you may miss its participation in the tournament. The Pistons should erase them quickly.

Yet a Pistons-Magic series would be compelling for the matchup between geezer Chris Webber of Detroit and young dynamo Dwight Howard of Orlando. The Pistons will likely trounce the Magic with their experience, but Howard will get a bigger stage to show off his greatness.

Orlando is in partly because Indiana is out. The Pacers folded at home against the Nets Sunday night, causing them to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

So if you’re looking for any remaining suspense over the final three days of the NBA’s regular season, just start from the bottom.

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