NBA Changes Playoffs Format, Seeds Teams 1-8

USAToday Sports writer Jeff Zillgitt is reporting that the NBA is changing is playoff format this year.

NBA moving forward w/plan to seed conference playoff teams 1-8 regardless of division winner starting in 15-16, per high-ranking NBA exec.

— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) June 25, 2015

This change was occasioned, in part, by the Portland Trail Blazers earning the 4th seed in the 2015 Western Conference Playoff Bracket by virtue of their Northwest Division win, when they actually earned the 6th best record in the conference. This forced the defending champion San Antonio Spurs into a disadvantageous matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, which they lost.