NBA’s 5 most compelling first-round playoff matchups in 1-16 seeding format
Over the course of the last couple of weeks, there have been encouraging signs surrounding the potential resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season. So much so, the NBA released a statement last week stating that they are in talks with The Walt Disney World company on the possibility of resuming the season on one of its properties in Orlando.
While there are still plenty of wrinkles that need to be ironed out, one of the biggest unknowns is what the league schedule will look like when/if it does indeed return. More specifically, what will the playoffs look like?
Interestingly, on a hit on ESPN Monday morning, NBA insider Brian Windhorst suggested that there’s a growing possibility that the league could seed the best 16 teams for this year’s playoffs.
Brian Windhorst just said on @GetUpESPN that there’s a “really good chance” the NBA elects to go with a 16-team playoff and no regular season.
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) May 25, 2020
Added that it leaves open the possibility for seeding the teams 1-16, which would have to pass an owner vote.
This is a huge revelation. Even though the owners would have to approve it, and who knows if they will, this could bring about a huge change to the NBA in the future. It would also set a new precedent that we haven’t seen in the modern NBA.
The 1-16 playoff seeding has long been talked about, but it was not something that was coming to the NBA anytime soon. Though, the current circumstances could open the door for the change, perhaps sooner rather than the NBA expected.
NBA playoffs 1-16 seeding bracket
Here’s what a first-round would look like after the adjustments:
(1) Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic (16)
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets (15)
(3) Toronto Raptors vs. Memphis Grizzlies (14)
(4) LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks (13)
(5) Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers (12)
(6) Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers (11)
(7) Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets (10)
(8) Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (9)
Assuming that the NBA will strongly consider a 1-16 seeding playoff, let’s take a look at five of the most interesting first-round matchups that would arise from such a decision.