Template:2008–09 NBA Conference standings

#	Eastern Conference			Western Conference
	Team	W-L	GB	Team	W-L	GB
1	z-Cleveland	66-16	–	c-L.A. Lakers	65-17	–
2	y-Boston	62-20	4	y-DenverTemplate:Ref labelTemplate:Ref label	54-28	11
3	y-Orlando	59-23	7	y-San AntonioTemplate:Ref label	54-28	11
4	x-Atlanta	47-35	19	x-PortlandTemplate:Ref label	54-28	11
5	x-Miami	43-39	23	x-Houston	53-29	12
6	x-PhiladelphiaTemplate:Ref label	41-41	25	x-Dallas	50-32	15
7	x-ChicagoTemplate:Ref label	41-41	25	x-New Orleans	49-33	16
8	x-Detroit	39-43	27	x-Utah	48-34	17
9	Indiana	36-46	30	Phoenix	46-36	19
10	Charlotte	35-47	31	Golden State	29-53	36
11	New Jersey	34-48	32	Minnesota	24-58	41
12	Milwaukee	34-48	32	Memphis	24-58	41
13	Toronto	33-49	33	Oklahoma City	23-59	42
14	New York	32-50	34	L.A. Clippers	19-63	46
15	Washington	19-63	47	Sacramento	17-65	48

Tiebreakers

• Template:Note labelTemplate:Note label Philadelphia finished ahead of Chicago by virtue of a better conference record (25–27 vs. Chicago's 24–28; the teams split their regular season series).
• Template:Note labelTemplate:Note label With three teams tied for #2, the tie between Denver and Portland was broken first, since it determined a division championship. Since Denver finished ahead of Portland by virtue of a better division record (12–4 vs. Portland's 11–5; the teams split their regular season series), they won the tiebreaker. Since San Antonio's seeding can't be affected by the tie between Portland and Denver, Portland was relegated to the #4 seed, and the tie for #2 was "re-broken" between Denver and San Antonio.
• Template:Note labelTemplate:Note label Denver finished ahead of San Antonio by virtue of winning their regular season series 2–1.