So the Indiana Pacers finally got a win they needed to get by trampling all over Lance Stephenson and the Charlotte Hornets today.
Coupled with a loss to the Celtics and a come-from-behind win by the Brooklyn Nets, the race for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff race currently looks like this:
7 Brooklyn 35-40
8 Miami 34-41
9 Boston 34-42
10 Indiana 33-43
11 Charlotte 32-43
Here’s the prospects of making the playoffs for each team.
Brooklyn (35-40)
– Won 6 straight; 8-2 in last 10 games
– Remaining: 5 home vs 2 road games, 2 back-to-backs
– Opponents: @Atlanta, Portland, Atlanta, Washington, @Milwaukee, Chicago, Orlando
– Prognosis: The hottest team of the lot and 1.5 games ahead of the 9th place team (Boston). Also have the best home vs road game advantage of the field, but arguably have the most difficult schedule with games against first seeded Atlanta and games against Washington, Portland and Chicago, all of which will be trying to win games to protect or advance their respective playoff standings. But with Brook Lopez on fire and the team playing well, Brooklyn has to be the hot favorite to lock down the No. 7 seed.
– Estimated final record: 40-42 (best), 37-45 (worst)
Miami (34-41)
– Lost 2 straight; 5-5 in last 10 games
– Remaining: 5 home vs 3 road games, 1 back-t0-back
– Opponents: @Detroit, @Indiana, Charlotte, Chicago, Toronto, Orlando, @Philadelphia
– Prognosis: Miami was looking very good for a while until they lost their last 2 and lost Dwyane Wade to an injury in their previous game against the Cavs. Wade is currently listed as day-to-day, but if he’s unable to play or limited in his ability, then the Heat will look vulnerable down the stretch, especially with a crucial showdown against the Pacers and with games against Chicago and Toronto coming up. However, they do have a cushion knowing that their last two, against Orlando and Philly, are going to be very winnable.
-Estimated final record: 40-42 (best), 36-46 (worst)
Boston (34-42)
– Lost 1; 4-6 in last 10 games
– Remaining: 2 home vs 4 road games; 2 back-to-backs
– Opponents: @ Toronto, @ Detroit, @ Cleveland, Cleveland, Toronto, @Milwaukee
– Prognosis: On paper, the Celtics have the most difficult remaining schedule, with just 2 home games and 2 against each of Toronto and Cleveland. However, with Cleveland looking like they’ve locked up the second seed, perhaps at least one of those games could be winnable. By the last game of the season Milwaukee should have also locked up the 6th seed, so there are opportunities for the Celtics if they decide to seize them. Still, it’s not looking great for the green and white.
-Estimated final record: 38-44 (best), 35-47 (worst)
Indiana (33-43)
– Won 1; 3-7 in last 10 games
– Remaining: 3 home vs 3 road games; 1 back-to-back
– Opponents: Miami, @New York, @Detroit, Oklahoma City, Washington, @Memphis
– Prognosis: The up-and-down Pacers have been on a roller coaster as of late, and at the moment it looks like the chips are down. After looking almost like a lock for the 7th seed and a potential 6th seed, the Pacers lost their next 6 games and lost a few more crucial ones after that to be left standing on the back foot. If they can get the next big one at home against Miami then they will still have a chance with New York and Detroit being very winnable. With OKC only leading the Pelicans by half a game right now and with tough stretches coming up for both, it’s going to be a tough challenge for the Pacers to stop Russell Westbrook, while the level of difficulty of the game against Washington will depend on whether they are still in the chase for the 4th seed by then. Memphis has been slipping but if the second seed is still up for grabs on the final day then you can be sure they’ll come ready. So honestly, it’s not looking good for Indiana, but if Paul George can make an impactful return sooner rather than later then perhaps the odds will increase.
– Estimated final record: 38-44 (best), 35-47 (worst)
Charlotte (32-43)
– Lost 1; 3-7 in last 10 games
– Remaining: 3 home vs 4 road games; 2 back-to-backs
– Opponents: Philadelphia, @Miami, Toronto, @Atlanta, @Detroit, Houston, @Toronto
– Prognosis: Tonight’s loss against the Pacers pretty much spelled doom for the Hornets, who have a brutal final stretch coming up and will need a minor miracle to make the playoffs from here. With the exception of Philly and Detroit, all their remaining games will be against teams looking to win, and meeting Toronto twice as well as Atlanta and Houston once each will make it difficult for the Hornets to gain ground.
– Estimated final record: 36-46 (best), 33-49 (worst)
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