Hi guys! It’s the last gameday of the IST today and I thought of reposting this (it got removed back a couple of days ago for some reason) to let yall know which teams are still in the hunt for a knockouts spot and what they will need to do to clinch it. It’s been a fun activity for me personally and I hope to catch some nerve-wracking games later!

EAST A

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Indiana Pacers	4	4	0	546	507	39
Cleveland Cavaliers	3	2	1	346	340	6
Philadelphia 76ers	4	2	2	485	476	9
Atlanta Hawks	3	1	2	394	403	-9
Detroit Pistons	4	0	4	439	484	-45

Remaining games: ATL vs CLE

• CLE needs to win by a LOT to have a chance via wildcards with the Knicks boasting a +18 PD going into the last game day compared to Cavs’ +6. ATL winning would make both of the teams stay at 2-2 with other groups in play, theoretically still having a shot at the wildcard slot but highly unlikely.

EAST B

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Milwaukee Bucks	3	3	0	371	332	39
New York Knicks	3	2	1	325	307	18
Miami Heat	3	2	1	330	319	11
Charlotte Hornets	3	1	2	328	358	-30
Washington Wizards	4	0	4	458	496	-38

Remaining games: MIL vs MIA, CHA vs NYK

• The Bucks might be 3-0, but the job’s not over yet. A MIA win with a CHA win will make the Heat the 1 seed and the Bucks 2 seed, and will have to rely on their PD to go through the knockouts as the East Wildcard as the Knicks will be eliminated.

• A Knicks win will propel them to 3-1, a 2 seed with a huge chance to clinch wildcard if the Bucks also win, and a 3-way tie if the Heat win (with the 1 seed going to the team with superior PD)

• It’s also a must win situation for the Heat. A MIA and CHA win will get them 1 seed, meanwhile an NYK win will force a 3-way tie (which again, the 1 seed going to the team with superior PD)

EAST C

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Orlando Magic	4	3	1	446	424	22
Boston Celtics	3	2	1	325	325	0
Brooklyn Nets	3	2	1	340	332	8
Toronto Raptors	3	1	2	333	342	-9
Chicago Bulls	3	0	3	312	333	-21

Remaining games: CHI vs BOS, TOR vs BKN

• A Celtics win alone is not enough, they need the Nets to win too to force a 3-way tie for 1 seed. If that condition is met, Celtics should be by more than 23 points to get 1 seed while BKN will just need to win by 15 or more. Those conditions fail, Magic will take 1 seed and BOS the 2 seed and will have to hope that their PD is enough for at least a wildcard slot
• A CHI and TOR win will theoretically eliminate Celtics and Nets, though as mentioned, a 2-2 wildcard team is probable but highly unlikely

WEST A

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Los Angeles Lakers	4	4	0	494	420	74
Phoenix Suns	4	3	1	480	446	34
Utah Jazz	4	2	2	469	482	-13
Portland Trail Blazers	4	1	3	416	455	-39
Memphis Grizzlies	4	0	4	430	486	-56

Remaining games: None

• The only complete group so far, PHX will have to anxiously wait if their +34 PD is good enough for QF

WEST B

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
New Orleans Pelicans	4	3	1	463	430	33
Houston Rockets	3	2	1	309	293	16
Denver Nuggets	4	2	2	432	442	-10
Dallas Mavericks	3	1	2	368	382	-14
Los Angeles Clippers	4	1	3	446	471	-25

Remaining games: HOU vs DAL

• A Mavs win will make the Pels qualify to QF. A Houston win will make them qualify to QF with virtue of head-to-head vs the Pels

WEST C

Team	GP	W	L	PF	PA	PD
Sacramento Kings	3	3	0	358	329	29
Minnesota Timberwolves	3	2	1	332	335	-2
Golden State Warriors	3	2	1	360	355	5
Oklahoma City Thunder	3	1	2	360	333	27
San Antonio Spurs	4	0	4	429	487	-58

Remaining games: OKC vs MIN, GSW vs SAC

• A Kings win followed by a Wolves win will have SAC qualify to QF as 1 seed, eliminating GSW in the process. MIN needs to win by at least 37 points to usurp PHX for the wildcard spot.

• A Warriors win along with a Thunder win will qualify GSW to the QF as the 1 seed. A Warriors and Wolves win will see a 3 way tie with the best team on PD going through. PHX advances as the wildcard seed.

Game on!