NBA Playoffs: 3 teams that would benefit from play-in tournament

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are another team that would be in line to benefit for a possibly play-in tournament for the playoffs. Before the hiatus was implemented, the Kings were arguably playing their best basketball of the season. After a rough start, at least in part due to injury, the Kings were 7-3 after the all-star break.

In those 10 games (which led right into the hiatus), the Kings had the eighth-best offense and 11th best defense, including the eighth best net rating (3.3). Specifically in the Western Conference, the Kings had the fourth-best record over that stretch.

And yes, I get it, it’s an extremely small sample size. However, the fact that things were beginning to turnaround for the Kings was a great indication of what was to come. Would the Kings have been able to make up the 3.5 games in the standings (and jump three teams)? Who knows.

However, the Kings, if they are able to pick up where they left off after the all-star break, would be one of the favorites to emerge from the tournament.