What are the chances of a play-in tournament? As ESPN pointed out, if the remaining 259 regular-season games had been canceled, the players would have lost a combined $645 million in salaries.īy playing a combined 88 games regular-season games in Orlando, the league has reduced the collective loss by $300 million. The second reason for the NBA opting to bring 22 teams to Orlando is purely financial. It is also worth noting, however, that by the time the season was suspended on March 11, only the Golden State Warriors were mathematically out of contention for a playoff spot. The league has reasoned that certain teams could have had legitimate ground for complaint had they not been given the chance to make the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference-where the race remains tight. Ostensibly, the league wanted to allow the teams still within reach of the playoffs-Washington in the East, Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Antonio and Phoenix in the West-a shot to qualify for the postseason. Why has the NBA not gone straight to the playoffs?įor two reasons. Once the 16 teams are determined, the playoffs will follow the usual format with each of three conference rounds and the NBA Finals to be played on a best-of-seven basis. To earn a spot in the playoffs, the Grizzlies would have to beat the Trail Blazers once, while Portland must defeat Memphis in two consecutive games to earn a post-season berth. In practical terms that means that if the Memphis Grizzlies finish in eighth place in the Western Conference less than four games clear of the Portland Trail Blazers, the two teams will play each other. Should the gap be smaller than four games, the teams will take part in a play-in tournament. If the team with the eighth-best combined record in its conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined record in the same conference, the former will qualify for the postseason. The identity of the eight teams in each conference can be determined in two ways. While normally the eight teams with the best regular-season record in each conference will go to the playoffs, this year the seven teams in each conference with the best combined records between regular-season games and seeding games will qualify for the postseason. The process, however, will be slightly different. Chris Graythen/Getty How will the playoff teams be determined?Īs in a normal NBA season, eight teams per conference will qualify for the playoffs. Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on January 22 in New Orleans, Louisiana. While just one extra Eastern Conference team will feature in the remainder of the regular season aside from the eight currently holding a playoff berth, the Western Conference will have a total of 13 teams.Īside from the current top eight teams, the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37), New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings (both 28-36), San Antonio Spurs (27-36) and Phoenix Suns (26-39) will compete for a postseason berth. Western Conference (* Denotes team that has clinched a playoff spot) The Washington Wizards (24-40) are the only other Eastern Conference team that will play in Orlando from July 31. Current playoff standingsĮastern Conference (* Denotes team that has clinched a playoff spot) The season, however, is already over for the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.

They will be joined in Florida by the top eight teams currently holding a playoff spot in the Western Conference- Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies.Īnother six teams, one from the Eastern Conference-Washington Wizards-and five from the Western Conference-Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns-will also make the trip to Orlando. The top eight teams currently holding a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference- Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic-will travel to Orlando. Which teams will be in Orlando and which won't? Steve Kerr Says Trump Lacks Leadership to Deal with Peaceful Protests.Rodman Calls Out Trump's 'MAGA' Slogan: 'Make America Safe for Minorities'.The NBA Coronavirus Restart Plan, Dates, Venues and Format Explained.

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