<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In a sports league, a playoff berth is a position in the playoffs secured ("clinched") ahead--and sometimes well ahead--of the season's conclusion . In close races, some teams will not make the playoffs until they have played the final game of the season, but other teams will clinch a spot in the playoffs when they have mathematically qualified for the playoffs . A team mathematically qualifies for the playoffs when they have won enough games to qualify even if they lose all their remaining regular season games and all trailing teams win all their remaining games . </P> <P> In some leagues, only the leader of each division qualifies for the playoffs, thereby requiring clinching the division in order to clinch a playoff berth . But in many large sports leagues, additional wild card teams that have not finished at the top of their division will also participate in the playoffs, and these positions will also be sought by teams that are unable to reach the top . </P>

How does an nba team clinch a playoff spot