After looking into it I feel like I understand all the specifics of the tournament except one thing. The teams that make the knockout stages will undoubtedly have a (very slightly) more difficult regular season schedule as a result of the knockout round games. I know that might seem like a marginal change, but a 1/2 game swing could definitely affect a fringe teams playoffs chances. Is this just considered a wash or is there something done in the schedule to compensate for it?
Strength of schedule had never been considered by the league.
Do you know who the Suns (likely wildcard from the West) would play in the quarter finals? Not sure if they’d play the best from the East (Pacers/Bucks) or best from West (Lakers)