Russell Westbrook helps Wizards safe a spot within the NBA’s play-in event

[ad_1]

The NBA applied the play-in sport to create pleasure, make extra video games significant and curtail tanking.

With simply two days left within the common season, the intrigue surrounding the play-in format has drawn extra consideration than the race for the No. 1 seed, buoyed by the prospect of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers needing to win a play-in sport to make the playoffs.

Briefly, the seventh- and eighth-place groups in each conferences aren’t assured a playoff spot. The league has given the ninth- and Tenth-place groups a shot at reaching the playoffs.

Right here’s the way it works and who would possibly find yourself within the play-in sport format.

After the common season concludes, the seventh- and eighth-place groups play one another and the winner earns the No. 7 seed. The loser of that sport performs the winner of the 9-10 sport. The winner of that sport turns into the No. 8 seed. To present the groups that had a greater document throughout the common season a bonus, groups 7-8 have to win only one play-in sport to advance and groups 9-10 have to win two video games.

The play-in video games are Could 18-21 with the 16-team, best-of-7 playoffs starting Could 22, with the East Tenth-place group vs. the East Ninth-place group and the East Eighth-place group vs. the Boston Celtics.

Within the East, the image is a little more clear than within the West, although tiebreakers convolute the eventualities.

Boston, Charlotte, Indiana and Washington are in spots 7-10 proper now with Chicago lurking in eleventh place. The highest six seeds within the East are set, so none of those groups can end above No. 7.

The Celtics secured seventh place within the East as a result of Charlotte misplaced to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Pacers misplaced to Milwaukee on Thursday. Even when the Celtics lose out and the Hornets, Pacers or Wizards win out and all 4 groups end with 35-37 data, the Celtics personal the head-to-head tiebreaker towards the three groups.

Celtics’ remaining video games: at Minnesota, at New York Knicks

Although Charlotte and Indiana have equivalent data and every have two video games remaining, the Hornets are in eighth place as a result of they personal the head-to-head tiebreaker. Charlotte doesn’t have it simple the remainder of the way in which, enjoying groups who’re jostling for playoff or play-in positions. Indiana would not have a cakewalk both. However on the very least, the Hornets and Pacers have locked up a spot within the play-in sport.

The Wizards are within the play-in sport after their win towards Cleveland on Friday, eliminating Chicago from the postseason.

Now, the Wizards want to transfer up as excessive as eighth place. If Washington win its closing sport towards Charlotte and the Pacers and Hornets lose out, the Wizards can seize the No. 8 seed. If all three groups end with equivalent data, the Hornets would end eighth, the Wizards ninth and the Pacers Tenth based mostly on head-to-head tiebreakers. Charlotte can lock up eighth place if it wins out, and the Pacers can end ninth with two victories. Washington owns the head-to-head tiebreaker towards Indiana.

Hornets’ remaining video games: at New York Knicks, at Washington Wizards

Pacers’ remaining video games: vs. Los Angeles Lakers, at Toronto

Wizards’ remaining video games: vs. Charlotte

LeBron James is expected to return to the lineup for the final two Lakers regular season games this weekend.

LeBron James is anticipated to return to the lineup for the ultimate two Lakers common season video games this weekend.

Within the West, the seventh-place Lakers, who’re nonetheless ready for LeBron James to return, nonetheless have an opportunity to maneuver into the sixth or fifth spot, however they need assistance. At 40-30, they’re a ½ sport behind 41-30 Portland.

Dallas escaped the play-in sport with its victory over Toronto on Friday. Even when the 42-39 Mavs end with the identical document because the Lakers, they personal the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Mavs might be both the the fifth or sixth seed.

The Blazers personal the tiebreaker towards the Lakers, so for the Lakers to keep away from the play-in sport, they would want to win their two remaining video games and Portland must lose their remaining sport. If it’s the Lakers within the seventh spot, they might face eighth-place Golden State in a tantalizing play-in sport.

Lakers’ remaining video games: at Indiana, at New Orleans

Mavericks’ remaining video games: at Minnesota

Blazers’ remaining video games: vs. Denver

The Warriors don’t have eighth place of their possession simply but. At 38-33, Memphis is a ½ sport forward of Golden State for that spot after the Grizzlies defeated Sacramento on Friday. Eighth place will come all the way down to the ultimate sport of the season when the Warriors and Grizzlies. If each groups end with the identical document, the Warriors personal the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Warriors’ remaining video games: vs. New Orleans, vs. Memphis

Grizzlies’ remaining video games: at Golden State

San Antonio will end in Tenth place as a result of Sacramento misplaced to Memphis on Thursday, eliminating the Kings from a play-in sport chance. The Spurs can’t catch Golden State or Memphis for eighth or ninth place.

Spurs’ remaining video games: vs. Phoenix, vs. Phoenix

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Likelihood of Steph Curry vs. LeBron James in play-in sport has NBA followers abuzz

[ad_2]

supply

Leave a Reply