The Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, with both teams' outcomes influencing their final standings and potential play-in game scenarios. The Heat, after being down 20 to Dallas and losing, still has a path to avoid the play-in game by winning their final two games and depending on losses from the Pacers and the 76ers. The 76ers, leading by 18 in their game, aim for the 6th seed to dodge the play-in, requiring them to win out their remaining games and relying on specific outcomes from the Pacers. The complexity of the situation is heightened with the 76ers needing to balance winning against the Magic, who are losing to the Bucks, and then facing the Nets, while the Heat's recent loss puts them a game behind the 76ers for the 7th seed. Additionally, the Eastern Conference's play-in schedule could be impacted by the 76ers' final position, with potential scheduling conflicts involving other teams and events, including a Flyers home game.
Sorry, I can't maths. To claim the 6th seed, the Sixers need: - The Pacers to win their final two games (at CLE, vs Hawks.) - The Sixers to win their own final two games (vs Orlando, vs Nets.) 3-team tie b/w Sixers, Magic and Pacers would go Magic, then Pacers, then Sixers
Here's one of many things that make it unlikely: Magic and 76ers face off on Friday. So the 76ers need to win that game and then lose their regular season finale against the Nets on Sunday to make scenario No. 2 possible. Heat will probably be playing a play-in game on Tuesday. https://t.co/m3CroqLFcw
The Heat's best chance of avoiding the play-in at this point ... 1. Heat wins final two games, Pacers lose final two games and 76ers lose one of final two games. 2. Heat wins final two games, Magic loses final two games and 76ers lose one of final two games
In order for the Sixers to claim the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference and avoid the play-in, they need: - The Pacers to win one of their final two games (at CLE, vs Hawks). - The Sixers need to win their final two games (vs Orlando, vs Nets.) That's it.
Heat lose to Mavs, fall game behind 76ers for 7th. Heat holds tiebreaker for now. 76ers sit 1 game behind Pacers for 6th but Indy has tiebreak If Philly finishes 7th, East play-in schedule could be impacted. Flyers have home game scheduled Tues. So Bulls-Hawks could be in flux.
Heat are down 20 to Dallas late in the first half. Look (understandably) dead so far after a 2OT game last night. if the result holds, Sixers would control their destiny for the 7 seed (Magic are also down early to the short handed Bucks)
If Cavs lose two, one of which versus the Pacers, the Pacers win out, and the Sixers win out, the Sixers could take the 6 seed. At 6 seed the Sixers will likely get the Knicks, but dodge the play-in. At 7 seed the Sixers will likely get the banged up Bucks and Doc, no play-in. https://t.co/cjD71mLUQA
Sixers now lead by 18 with nine to go. Assuming that score holds, focus here will shift to Atlanta, where Miami leads in the 3rd quarter, & Houston, where Orlando is losing in the 2nd. If Philly wins out, it needs Miami to lose once & Orlando to lose 3 of 4 to avoid play-in.
Also, the Heat still controls its own destiny when it comes to hosting a No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game. If the Heat and the 76ers both win out, the Heat would finish ahead at No. 7 by virtue of holding a better conference record than the 76ers. https://t.co/BumLjSwTcA