First untilized in the Orlando Bubble last year to resolve the race for the 8-Seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, the NBA Play-In Tournament is a new mechanic being used to decide to the 7th and 8th Seeds of both conferences.
How it works is as shown above:
- Seeds 1 and 6 in both conferences are locked in based on standings. Seeds 3/4 and 5/6 are paired off normally.
- Teams ranked 7 through 10 play for the final two slots in each conference.
- Teams ranked 7 and 8 play for #7 Seed. The winner is given the #7 Seed while the loser plays the winner of 9/10 for the #8 Seed.
- Teams ranked 9 and 10 play to stay in. The winner of the game will face the loser of 7/8 for the #8 Seed while the loser of 9/10 is eliminated.
- Seeds 1/8 and 2/7 are then paired off normally pending the outcome of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Basically, the teams ranked 7 and 8 have two chances to stay in the playoffs. If you lose the game for the #7 Seed, you can still get in the playoffs by winning the #8 Seed game.
The teams ranked 9 and 10 are basically in Sudden Death: Win and you have another chance. Lose and your season’s done. Same for the loser of the 8 Seed game.
Here are the 8 teams competing for the 7 and 8 Seeds in each conference:
…I am not expecting the Celtics to win the 7/8 game without Jaylen Brown. Not unless Kemba Walker’s health stays stable. If the Celtics can get past the Wizards in the 7/8 game, they’ll face the Nets in the first round. Assuming the Celtics lose the 7/8 game, they will face the winner of the 9/10 game.
If the Celtics win that game and secure the #8 Seed, they will face the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. The Celtics have had a pretty good track record vs. the 76ers in the playoffs but this time is likely to be different.
Over in the Western Conference, LeBron James liked the idea of a Play-In Tournament…at the beginning of the season. Now that his team is a part of it, his mind has clearly changed. The Lakers face the Warriors for the #7 Seed and when you consider that, it’s not hard to understand why LBJ isn’t happy about being in the Play-In Tournament. I do think both teams will be Seeded. Whoever loses gets the #8 Seed no question.
The NBA Playoffs begins on May 22. The 76ers, Nets, Jazz and Suns should know who their opponents will be by then.
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