2018 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Race: Kevin Love returns for the Cavs
With just a handful of games remaining in the regular season, we update the Eastern Conference playoff race where the return of Kevin Love clears things up a bit
The NBA playoff race is getting into its final stretch as teams only have 12-14 games remaining on their schedule.
In the Eastern Conference, the playoff race should be exciting as the top two seeds appear set in stone as the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics have separated themselves from the pack. The Toronto Raptors have a five-game lead over the Boston Celtics, and the Celtics have a six-game lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers for second.
It’s the race between teams 3-8 that will make for must-see TV as the current 3 seed (Cleveland) leads the 8 seed (Milwaukee) by just four games. With so little separation between those six teams, the remaining schedules as well as health will be critical.
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Here is a look at what each of those six teams have remaining:
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-29)
GB: –
Remaining Games: 12
vs. Teams Over .500: 6
Home Games Remaining: 7
4. Indiana Pacers (41-30)
GB: 0.5
Remaining Games: 11
vs. Teams Over .500: 8
Home Games Remaining 4
5. Washington Wizards (40-30)
GB: 1.0
Remaining Games: 12
vs. Teams Over .500: 6
Home Games Remaining: 6
6. Philadelphia 76ers (39-30)
GB: 1.5
Remaining Games: 13
vs. Teams Over .500: 4
Home Games Remaining: 8
7. Miami Heat (38-33)
GB: 3.5
Games Remaining: 11
vs. Teams Over .500: 5
Home Games Remaining: 7
8. Milwaukee Bucks (37-33)
GB: 4.0
Games Remaining: 12
vs. Teams Over .500: 7
Home Games Remaining: 5
Outlook:
The Cavs just got back Kevin Love, so with this addition Cleveland shouldn’t drop below third in the Eastern Conference standings moving forward.
As for the other teams, it will likely be constant shuffling going all the way to the end of the regular season. The 76ers currently sit one game out of the 4th seed and they have 9 games against competition that has a losing record and only 4 games against teams above .500.
With a favorable schedule, Philadelphia should have a great shot at getting the 4th seed. The Wizards own the tiebreaker over the Pacers in the event that they remained tied. The Bucks and Heat seem to likely finish in the East’s final two playoff spots.
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The Bucks have looked rough lately and desperately need the return of Malcolm Brogdon to help bolster the team. He’s not expected back before the end of March or early April, so it’s likely that the Heat hold their grasp on the 7th seed, leaving the Bucks at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.