Checking in on the race for the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
In mere days, the NBA’s inaugural playoff play-in tournament will be underway. A battle of eight teams (across both the Eastern and Western Conferences) will be vying for four total playoff spots.
A full explanation of the play-in tournament can be found here, but here are my SparkNotes to help you understand what will be transpiring in the play-in tournament:
- The 7th and 8th seeds (in each conference) will face off against one another; the winner is officially the 7th seed in the playoffs.
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- The 9th and 10th seeds (in each conference) will face off against one another; the winner advances and remains alive for a playoff spot. The loser is eliminated from contention.
- The loser between the 7th and 8th seed game will then play the winner of the 9th and 10th seed game; the winner is the 8th seed in the playoffs. The loser is eliminated from contention.
As we draw closer and closer to the start of the official tournament, the participating teams will become clearer. In fact, in the East, we pretty much know the four teams that will be participating in the play-in tournament on their side of the bracket. The seeding for those four teams, however, still needs to be decided.
While the playoff picture is become clearer, out West there are only two teams that have clinched a spot in the play-in tournament.
The NBA Play-In Tournament In The East
In the East, here is how the standings currently sit:
7. Boston Celtics (35-35)*
8. Charlotte Hornets (33-36)*
9. Indiana Pacers (33-36)*
10. Washington Wizards (32-38)
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11. Chicago Bulls (29-40)
(*clinched a spot in the NBA play-in tournament)
As long as the Wizards win one of their last two games or if the Bulls lose one more game, Washington will earn the final play-in spot. And they’ll likely enter as the 10th seed. The Celtics will likely be the 7th seed and the Hornets and Pacers will be battling for the 8th seed. The East is a bit more clearer than what’s taking place out West.
The NBA Play-In Tournament In The West
In the West, here is how the standings currently sit:
5. Portland Trail Blazers (41-29)
6. Dallas Mavericks (41-29)
7. Los Angeles Lakers (40-30)
8. Golden State Warriors (37-33)*
9. Memphis Grizzlies (36-33)*
10. San Antonio Spurs (33-36)
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11. Sacramento Kings (31-38)
(*clinched a spot in the NBA play-in tournament)
The 7th seed is likely something that won’t be determined until the very last day of the regular season and it’s looking more and more likely that the Los Angeles Lakers will have to play their way into the playoffs unless they can get some help over the next few days.
The Warriors and Grizzlies are battling for the 8th seed and it’s looking more and more like, unless they completely fall apart over the last few days of the regular season, that the Spurs will earn the 10th spot (sorry, Kings fans).
The NBA’s Playoff Play-In Tournament is slated to begin May 18.