Hi guys! It’s the last gameday of the IST today and I thought of reposting this (it got removed back a couple of days ago for some reason) to let yall know which teams are still in the hunt for a knockouts spot and what they will need to do to clinch it. It’s been a fun activity for me personally and I hope to catch some nerve-wracking games later!
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, theoretically still having a shot at the wildcard slot but highly unlikely.
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
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The Bucks might be 3-0, but the job’s not over yet. A MIA win with a CHA win will make the Heat the 1 seed and the Bucks 2 seed, and will have to rely on their PD to go through the knockouts as the East Wildcard as the Knicks will be eliminated.
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A Knicks win will propel them to 3-1, a 2 seed with a huge chance to clinch wildcard if the Bucks also win, and a 3-way tie if the Heat win (with the 1 seed going to the team with superior PD)
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It’s also a must win situation for the Heat. A MIA and CHA win will get them 1 seed, meanwhile an NYK win will force a 3-way tie (which again, the 1 seed going to the team with superior PD)
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
- A Celtics win alone is not enough, they need the Nets to win too to force a 3-way tie for 1 seed. If that condition is met, Celtics should be by more than 23 points to get 1 seed while BKN will just need to win by 15 or more. Those conditions fail, Magic will take 1 seed and BOS the 2 seed and will have to hope that their PD is enough for at least a wildcard slot
- A CHI and TOR win will theoretically eliminate Celtics and Nets, though as mentioned, 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
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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.
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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.
Game on!