The Pacers won their play-in game on Tuesday night, while the Wizards lost theirs, meaning the two teams will face one another on Thursday in the Eastern Conference’s final play-in contest with the No. 8 seed up for grabs. The winner will earn the East’s last playoff spot, while the loser goes home.
The Pacers and Wizards had identical 34-38 records in the regular season, but since only one can make the playoffs now, no random tiebreaker will be required to determine which of them has the higher first-round draft pick or the higher spot in the lottery standings. The team that makes the playoffs will end up with the 15th overall pick (or No. 16, if the Spurs make the postseason). The team eliminated on Thursday will get a spot in the late-lottery.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Even before the Celtics won their play-in game on Tuesday, the idea that Brad Stevens‘ job might be in any jeopardy was “just not accurate,” despite the team’s up-and-down season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (video link).
- While the Hawks entered the season with playoff expectations, team CEO Steve Koonin admitted in a Q&A with Chris Kirschner of The Athletic that he didn’t expect the team to finish in a tie for the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. “I would say that I think we’ve exceeded all of the expectations we had internally,” Koonin said. “… I think if it wasn’t for the Knicks, this would be the biggest story in the NBA.”
- The Magic‘s 21-51 record in 2020/21 was the team’s worst mark since 2014/15, but president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman is very optimistic about the direction of the rebuild, as Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press writes. “It’s exciting,” Weltman said. “I’ve never felt more excited about the team since I’ve been here than I do right now.”
All the bad teams are exciting about the future because of nba draft award system？
How are they exciting if all the losers don’t have nba lottery picks?
Let’s say if the teams miss the playoffs also lose all the lottery picks, they would have to overpay free agents
This draft the first rd is very deep and good. Top 20 is full of starters potential. Knicks have 3 of top 32 picks. That’s three good rotation players, maybe one starter there. We are probably losing Noel. So I expect they draft a big to replace him. Definitely can get one with our picks.
Hawks did have a great yr. If it wasn’t for all the time missed by players this yr. Would of had more wins easily. But he’s right Knicks are bigger story, thankU. Under coach McMillan Hawks are 27-12, pretty gd. The Knicks have avg 124pts a gm in their meetings. Hawks not winning unless they play D. Imo home court means a lot for this series. Both are new to this and young. I see a good series. We come to play one gm at a time. Do the work like we have under Thibs. We can win this series. I’m just going to enjoy every gm lols.
Let’s Go Knickerbockers …..
The Hawks haven’t been full strength for any of the games against NY. This is the closest to a full squad they’ve had all season. I think the Hawks win in 7 but only because Hunter is healthy. He is the only player on the roster capable of slowing down Randle. Bogdanovich has been lights out since he’s gotten healthy.
Pacers looked good in beating Hornets. I guess experience does mean something. That’s why I like Wizards in this gm. Beal n Westbrook have to trust their young guys. Rui needs to step up with Bertans.
The Pacers looked really good last night while Washington was just awful. Russ doesn’t trust their young guys, he will try to do it all himself. If he plays poorly again tomorrow his team will be eliminated.
Looked like Russ had some kind of injury last nt. And Beal still has hamstring problems. One of them will need go off tmrw for the Wiz to win, neither had it last nt.
It was clear Brad Stevens was coming back when the college rumors started and him turning down that supposed big contract offer
I’m fine with him coming back he just need to change up his playbook a little I’m tired of all the 3 balls and all the guys on offense to be as far away from the rim as possible instead of driving to the basket and getting to the line it’s the same damn thing well putting the opposing team in foul trouble
I believe 99% of the NBA plays that way.
That doesn’t make it right!