Here’s the latest on the playoffs, 5 guys to think about adding for tonight, and 3 lists of 5 to wrap up last night’s action.

April 24, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) blocks the attempted dunk of Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during the first half at Energy Solutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Eastern Conference Playoff Race: The Bulls clinched the top seed in the East when the Heat lost to Boston while the Celtics win keeps their hopes for homecourt in the first round alive. New York and Philadelphia are tied for 7th with both assured the playoffs and the Knicks in the lead due to tiebreaker. Whoever finished 8th gets Chicago while the winner of the race for 7th with “get” to play Miami in the first round.

Western Conference Playoff Race: The top 3 are set after the Clippers loss in Atlanta gave the Lakers the 3-seed and dropped LA into a tie with Memphis for 4th. Whoever finished with the better record will host game 1 of the series between the 2 teams. The 6-7-8 spots are fluid as well with Denver currently 6th with a 1/2 game lead over the Mavs who are a full game ahead of Utah. The Jazz clinched a playoff berth by beating the Suns in Salt Lake City last night.

5 Stars who Showed and Shone

Apr 22, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots over Atlanta Hawks forward Ivan Johnson (44) during the first half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-US PRESSWIRE

1. Blake Griffin-LAC: Blake had a league-high 36 points last night on 17-23 shooting while adding 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block as he played 38 minutes in the Clippers loss on the road in Atlanta.

2. Paul Millsap-Uta: Millsap carried the Jazz into the playoffs with 26 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assits, 3 stelas, and a blocked shot in 41 minutes.

3. Chris Paul-LAC: CP3 hit 10-20 from the field including 4 three-pointers while adding 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals to his 34 points for LA last night. He and Griffin didn’t get enough help to get the Clippers past though Hawks though.

4. DeMarcus Cousins-Sac: Cousins had 32 points to lead the Kings in their loss to the Thunder. After the league rescinded his 13th tech which allowed him to be eligible he went out and shot 13-22 from the field while also contributing 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

5.Kevin Durant-OKC: Durant continued to pull away in his pursuit of the scoring title pouring in 32 points against the Kings last night. He hit 3 three-pointers and added 9 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist, and a block.

5 Stepping in and Stepping up

April 24, 2012; Oklahoma City OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Daequan Cook (14) gets the rebound during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

1. Jason Thompson-Sac: I recommended picking up Thompson if Cousins was sidelined. Even with DeMarcus in the lineup, Thompson had 22 points, 6 rebounds, an assist, steal, and a block while playing 40 minutes and making 9-11 from the field.

2. Marco Belinelli-NO: Belinelli played while Eric Gordon rested and led the Hornets with 23 points in 35 minutes while hitting 2 three-pointers and adding 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

3. Daequan Cook-OKC: Cook filled in admirably for James Harden breaking out of a shooting slump to hit 4 threes off the bench and finish with 19 points, 5 reounds, and an assist in 21 minutes for the Thunder.

4. Gustavo Ayon-NO: Ayon started in the middle for the Hornets and had 13 points, 4 assists, a steal, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots as the Horents beat Golden State in Oakland.

5. Sasha Pavlovic-Bos: Pavlovic helped the Celtics win an ugly game against the Heat as both teams played in large part without their stars. Pavlovic played 23 minutes and hit 7-10 from the field including 2 three’s and added a rebound, 2 assists, a steal, and a block.

5 Solid Sidekicks

1. Al Jefferson-Uta: Jefferson was part of the Jazz-threesome that dominated the paint with Favors and Millsap. He finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds allong with 4 assists and 2 blocks in his 38 minutes.

2. Josh Smith-ATL: Although Joe Johnson was the top Hawk with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, Smith was a solid sidekick finishing with 18 points, 10 boards, 5 assists, and a steal while playing 32 minutes as the Hawks kept the inside track on homecourt by beating the visiting Clippers.

3. Travis Outlaw-Sac: Outlaw stepped into the starting lineup and had 20 points, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 7 rebounds, and an assist while adding 2 three’s for the Kings in their loss at OKC.

4. Russell Westbrook-OKC: Westbrook and Durant sat most of the 4th quarter but he still finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in the Thunder’s win over the Kings.

5. Derrick Favors-Uta: Favors played 29 minutes off the bench and had 13 points, 11 rebounds, a steal, and a league-high 5 blocks as he was a key part to the Jazz win over Phoenix last night.

5 Solutions if you need help tonight, April 25

Apr. 21, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during the first half at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE.

1. Kenneth Faried-Den: (41.3% ownership in ESPN leagues) Faried has a double-double in each of his last 2 games and 3 of his last 5. His minutes shouldn’t diminish since the Nuggets still have plenty to play for as they visit the Thunder tonight and finish with the Wolves tomorrow.

2. Glen Davis-Orl: (50.8%) Davis and the Magic host the lowly Bobcats tonight and then finish tomorrow in Memphis. Davis is playing plenty of minuts up from and is averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds over his last 3 games. He’s usually going to add a couple steals or more and maybe even a block.

3. Shannon Brown-Phx: (20.3%) Brown scored 12 points including hitting 2 three’s last night while adding 2 assist and a steal in the Suns loss to the Jazz. Brown should play more big minutes tonight wince it’s unlikely the Suns will rush Grant Hill back to the court as they face the Spurs tonight in San Antonio.

4. Nene-Was: (66.8%) Nene is back after missing 10 games with plantar fasciitis and is able to contribute blocks and board to the Wizards and your fantasy team tonight and tomorrow although his time will be limited. He had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks in just 21 minutes against Charlotte and tonight Washington will visit the Cavs in Cleveland.

5.D.J. Augustin-Cha: (55.1%) Augustin returned and played 30 minutes Monday against Washington. He hit 2 threes and dished 6 assists with a steal and 2 rebounds while scoring 15 points. Augustin and the ‘Cats will be doing all they can to avoid 2 losses to become the team with the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Expect him to take plenty of shots and play lots of minutes. His efficiency with those shots and minutes remains to be seen.

Apr 23, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left) Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan during the national anthem prior to the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT

One team that didn’t win and has won a lower percentage of their games than any team in NBA history was the Charlotte Bobcats. The Cats lost in Washington, to the Wizards who have won 4 in a row now. It was Charlotte’s 21st straight loss, and if they close out the season with 2 losses (@ Orlando and vs. New York) they will have the worst winning percentage of any team in NBA history.

Here’s 4 quick lists of 5 so you can start your day caught up on what went down last night and who you should pick up if you’re still fighting for your fantasy basketball championship.

5 Standout Fantasy Studs

Apr 23, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) dunks against Detroit Pistons forward Vernon Macklin (20) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Detroit 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

1. Paul George-Ind: George led a furious Indiana comeback and finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in his team-high 34 minutes. While the other starters took it easy, George made sure that Indiana still beat Detroit.

2. John Wall-Was: Wall had 16 points and 14 assists while adding 5 rebounds and a blocked shot as the Wiz trounced the Bobcats.

3. Ersan Ilyasova-Mil: Ilyasova had 15 rebounds and 19 points with 2 assists and a blocked shot in his 36 minutes. He made a three-pointer and was one of just 2 Bucks starters with a positive differential, +3.

4. James Johnson-Tor: Johnson played 41 minutes for Toronto and scored a team-high 22 points. He added 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal; but the Raptors still fell to the Bucks in Milwaukee.

5. Kyrie Irving-Cle: Irving has reminded Cleveland why they had hope earlier this year in his brief return from the sidelines at the end of the season. He had 25 points on 10-16 from the field including 2 three-pointers and added 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds in the Cavs loss to Memphis.

5 Bigs Playin’ Large

1. Tim Duncan-SA: Duncan had 18 points, 4 blocks, and 8 rebounds in just 26 minutes to lead San Antonio to an easy victory at home over the Blazers.

Apr 23, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jan Vesely (24) dunks the ball against the Charlotte Bobcats during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

2. Jan Vesely-Was: Vesely started at PF and played 24 minutes without missing a shot. He went 8-8 from the field finishing with 16 points, 4 steals, 6 rebounds, and an assist.

3. Nene-Was: Nene came off the bench but showed why the Wizards traded for him finishing with 18 points on 8-11 from the field while adding 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and an assist with a +21 differential in just 21 minutes.

4. Elton Brand-Phi:Brand had 15 points, 4 blocks, and 6 rebounds in 29 minutes to help the Sixers roll past the Nets.

5. Marreese Speights-Mem: Speights has his 2nd consecutive double-double finishing last night with 17 points and 10 rebounds adding a steal and a block.

5 Guards Gettin’ it Done

1. Tony Allen-Mem: Allen had 13 points as part of a balanced Memphis attack and had a league-high 8 steals slong with 8 rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot.

2. Wesley Matthews-Por: Matthews played 45 minutes for Portland and finished with a team-high 24 points to go with 4 steals, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 three-pointers. The Blazers are one of the many limping to the end of the season but Matthews is showcasing his potential for next year.

3. Brandon Jennings-Mil: Jennings led the Bucks back to beat the Raptors finishing with a game-high 25 along with 3 steals, 5 assists, 3 treys, and a rebound.

4. Daniel Green-SA: Green literally couldn’t miss last night scoring 18 points in his 15 minutes of playing time hitting all 6 of his shots from the field including all 4 from three-point range. He added 2-2 from the free throw line and 2 rebounds, an assist, and a block.

5. Gerald Henderson-Cha: Henderson continues to be the best scorer on the horrible Bobcats. He had 19 last night on 5-12 shooting and added 5 rebounds, a steal, and an assist. He also had a team-high 4 turnovers in his 32 minutes.

5 to Grab for Tuesday 4/24

Apr 20, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley (0) brings the ball up the court against Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague (0) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 97-92. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-US PRESSWIRE

1. Avery Bradley-Bos: (37.7% owned in ESPN Leagues) Bradley may start at PG if Rondo rests or he may play the 2-guard but either way he’s a great add for tonight. He’s blossomed at the end of the season, and he’s averaging 2.4 three’s, 21.6 points, 1.2 steals, 1.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in his last 5 games (all over 35 minutes played). He went from draft bust to quite the find for Boston and is part of what they’re calling the “New 3″

2. Shannon Brown-Phx: (20.3%) Brown had a team high 28 points in the Suns loss to the Nuggets Saturday. They’ll face a showdown with the Jazz which basically amounts to a playoff game tonight and Brown will look score early and often against the Jazz. He has 7 steals in his last 2 games as well, so he’s also a good grab if you’re looking for thievery.

3. Derrick Favors-Uta: (18.7%) Favors can be maddeningly inconsistent mostly due to playing time, but he does have 3 double-double’s in his last 5 games with at least a block in 4 of those 5 contests. He’s averaging 9 points and 9 boards over those games and tonight will be part of a Jazz team looking to secure the 8-seed in the playoffs as they host Phoenix.

4. Marvin Williams-Atl: (4.8%) Williams had 29 points with 4 three’s, 10-14 from the field, and 5-7 from the line whil also adding 3 blocks and a steal with his 11 rebounds in 39 minutes in the Hawks last game when they hosted New York. It was a matchup play, but it would seem that Williams would have earned some more time and should get plenty as the Hawks try and secure home court while the host the Clippers tonight.

5. Jason Thompson-Sac: (29.8%) Thompson has scored in double-digits in each of his last 3 games and had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds while adding 7 assists, 5 steals, and a block. He should get some extra minutes since DeMarcus Cousins will most likely be out suspended after picking up his 13th tech of the season.