Hi guys! So I will be trying to lay down each possible scenarios for those teams that are still eligible to go to Vegas either as a wildcard or the top seed of the groups. This has been an enjoyable tournament so far and I love how there’s still so much to fight for even on the last game day on the 28th. Let’s start with the East:

EAST A

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Indiana Pacers	4	4	0	546	507	39
Cleveland Cavaliers	3	2	1	346	340	6
Philadelphia 76ers	4	2	2	485	476	9
Atlanta Hawks	3	1	2	394	403	-9
Detroit Pistons	4	0	4	439	484	-45

Remaining games: ATL vs CLE

• CLE needs to win by a LOT to have a chance via wildcards with the Knicks boasting a +18 PD going into the last game day compared to Cavs’ +6. ATL winning would make both of the teams stay at 2-2 with other groups in play, not enough for a shot at wildcards.

EAST B

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Milwaukee Bucks	3	3	0	371	332	39
New York Knicks	3	2	1	325	307	18
Miami Heat	3	2	1	330	319	11
Charlotte Hornets	3	1	2	328	358	-30
Washington Wizards	4	0	4	458	496	-38

Remaining games: MIL vs MIA, CHA vs NYK

• While the Bucks are mostly through, they need to win to stamp the outright berth to QF (eliminating the Heat in the process) however if they do lose, they still have the pole position for 1 seed by virtue of the best PD as long as the Heat don’t beat them by a lot (MIA winning by 15 or more will make them overtake MIL on PD)

• A CHA win followed by MIA win will eliminate the Knicks, a MIA win with NYK win will make a 3-way tie towards 1 seed, with the team with best PD going through, while the 2 seed will depend on their PD for the wildcard spot. A MIL win with CHA win will effectively eliminate the Heat and Knicks (still probable for a 2-2 team to get wildcard but highly unlikely)

EAST C

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Orlando Magic	4	3	1	446	424	22
Boston Celtics	3	2	1	325	325	0
Brooklyn Nets	3	2	1	340	332	8
Toronto Raptors	3	1	2	333	342	-9
Chicago Bulls	3	0	3	312	333	-21

Remaining games: CHI vs BOS, TOR vs BKN

• Celtics needs to win by at least 23 points to overtake the Magic and take 1 seed, the Nets will just need to win at least 15 points to do the same, if both fail the Magic advances as 1 seed while BOS and BKN will have to anxiously wait if the PD they gathered are enough for a wildcard spot

• A CHI and TOR win will theoretically eliminate Celtics and Nets, though as mentioned in East B, a 2-2 wildcard team is probable but highly unlikely

WEST A

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Los Angeles Lakers	4	4	0	494	420	74
Phoenix Suns	4	3	1	480	446	34
Utah Jazz	4	2	2	469	482	-13
Portland Trail Blazers	4	1	3	416	455	-39
Memphis Grizzlies	4	0	4	430	486	-56

Remaining games: None

• The only complete group so far, PHX will have to anxiously wait if their +34 PD is good enough for QF

WEST B

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
New Orleans Pelicans	4	3	1	463	430	33
Houston Rockets	3	2	1	309	293	16
Denver Nuggets	4	2	2	432	442	-10
Dallas Mavericks	3	1	2	368	382	-14
Los Angeles Clippers	4	1	3	446	471	-25

Remaining games: HOU vs DAL

• A Mavs win will make the Pels qualify to QF. A Houston win will make them qualify to QF with virtue of head-to-head vs the Pels

WEST C

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Sacramento Kings	3	3	0	358	329	29
Minnesota Timberwolves	3	2	1	332	335	-2
Golden State Warriors	3	2	1	360	355	5
Oklahoma City Thunder	3	1	2	360	333	27
San Antonio Spurs	4	0	4	429	487	-58

Remaining games: OKC vs MIN, GSW vs SAC

• A Kings win followed by a Wolves win will have SAC qualify to QF as 1 seed, eliminating GSW in the process. MIN needs to win by at least 37 points to usurp PHX for the wildcard spot.

• A Warriors win along with a Thunder win will qualify GSW to the QF as the 1 seed. A Warriors and Wolves win will see a 3 way tie with the best team on PD going through. PHX advances as the wildcard seed.

So that’s about the last gameday permutations I can think of for all the groups in the IST. Honestly cannot wait for 28th because there will be some anxious moments especially for those teams vying for the wildcard spots. This tourney has been a big W so far :D