It came down to a blown DeMar DeRozan overtime buzzer beater attempt, but the Knicks finally clinched the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed by winning a nationally broadcast ESPN clash against the Bulls this afternoon.
Earlier in the day, several other East playoff and play-in clubs wrapped up their 2023/24 regular seasons, thus cementing the conference’s top 10 heading into the postseason. Six teams won between 47 and 50 games, with three clubs sporting identical 47-35 records.
Obviously the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds will be determined by the play-in tournament, which will tip off mid-week. That will thus dictate the 1-8 and 2-7 matchups of the first round.
Here is the finalized order of the Eastern Conference’s top 10 for the 2024 postseason:
- Boston Celtics (64-18)
- New York Knicks (50-32)
- Milwaukee Bucks (49-33)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34)
- Orlando Magic (47-35)
- Indiana Pacers (47-35)
- Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)
- Miami Heat (46-36)
- Chicago Bulls (39-43)
- Atlanta Hawks (36-46)
Two matchups are now locked in, while two are yet to be determined.
The No. 3 Bucks will square off against the No. 6 Pacers. Indiana owns a 4-1 season record against Milwaukee (they faced off during the semifinals of this year’s inaugural in-season tournament). Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the team’s final three games of the regular season due to a left calf strain, and his status for the beginning of the playoffs is unclear.
The No. 4 Cavaliers will play the No. 5 Orlando Magic. Those two teams have split their season series, 2-2.
Per the NBA, here is the breakdown of this year’s Eastern Conference play-in tournament schedule, slated to start this Wednesday, April 17 via ESPN:
- No. 7 Philadelphia will host No. 8 Miami at 6 p.m. CT. The victor will advance as the No. 7 seed to play the Knicks, who will be without All-Star power forward Julius Randle for the duration of the playoffs.
- No. 9 Chicago will host No. 10 Atlanta at 8:30 p.m. CT. The winner will advance to play whichever team loses the 7-8 matchup.
- The loser of the Sixers/Heat matchup will host the winner of Bulls/Hawks on Friday, April 19. That contest’s winner will move on to play the Celtics as the East’s No. 8 seed.
The first round of the playoffs will officially tip off on Saturday, April 20.
OK I see the Sixers coming to MSG ……
Need to rest up. And be ready for seven gm series. Playoffs in NY ….. let’s do this.
Don’t get me wrong. Heat are the 2nd best team in the East.
Rozier and Richardson replace Gabe Vincent and Max Strus (last year NBA Finals)
lol
We got you wrong.
I don’t see the Heat beating the 76ers with a healthy(ish) Embiid playing, but think they will take the 8th seed. Heat/Celtics will be a really good series.