Final 3rd: The NBA’s ‘Stretch Run’

02/21/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

The Post-All-Star Break Look-Ahead to the NBA’s Playoff Push (By Marissa Kasch)

After a whirlwind All-Star weekend, the NBA is finally getting back on the court tomorrow (Thursday). By this point, we already have a preliminary playoff picture, but the regular season is far from over. We still have about two months of basketball (30-plus games) before things are set in stone, and there are definitely some teams, players and storylines to watch down that stretch.

NBA Playoff Picture / Play-In Tournament

The NBA Play-In Tournament doesn’t start until April 16. The tournament will give the No. 7 and 8 seeds in each conference a chance to win a game (against 9 and 10 seeds) and earn a playoff spot. The No. 9 and 10 seeds in each conference would need two consecutive wins to earn a playoff spot. While the tournament is roughly two months away, the playoff picture is becoming a bit more clear. Teams will shift, but we know the basics of what to expect. Here’s what the brackets would look like if the playoffs started today:

Eastern Conference

(1) Celtics vs. (8/9/10 Seed TBD)

(2) Cavaliers vs. (7/8/9 Seed TBD)

(3) Bucks vs. (6) Pacers

(4) Knicks vs. (5) 76ers

Western Conference

(1) Timberwolves vs. (8/9/10 Seed TBD)

(2) Thunder vs. (7/8/9 Seed TBD)

(3) Clippers vs. (6) Pelicans

(4) Nuggets vs. (5) Suns

Sleeper Teams to Watch

We already have a feel for some teams, but there are others that may not be on your radar yet, and they should be. The Mavericks have been fun to watch this year, but they really went on a run before the All-Star break. They won five consecutive games before entering the break with a 35-point win over the Thunder. Dallas also acquired PJ Washington just before the trade deadline. Another thing I’ve learned from watching the NBA these past ten years: Never count the Warriors out. Though they got off to a rough start and lost Draymond Green for a big chunk of the season, they’re getting it together now. Prior to the All-Star break, the Warriors won seven of their last eight games. The return of Draymond Green has bolstered this defense, which is exactly what Golden State needed. The Heat is another team that’s found themselves playing deep into the postseason in recent years, regardless of seed. It appears they’ll find themselves there again. There is nothing new or exciting happening in Miami. Instead, there is consistency and talent among Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo. And they aren’t scared of anybody.

NBA Standings

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics (43-12)

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17)

3. Milwaukee Bucks (35-21)
4. New York Knicks (33-22)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (32-22)
6. Indiana Pacers (31-25)
7. Miami Heat (30-25)
8. Orlando Magic (30-25)
9. Chicago Bulls (26-29)
10. Atlanta Hawks (24-31)

Outside the Playoff Picture: Brooklyn Nets (21-33), Toronto Raptors (19-36), Charlotte Hornets (13-41), Washington Wizards (9-45), Detroit Pistons (8-46)

Western Conference

1. Minnesota Timberwolves (39-16)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-17)
3. Los Angeles Clippers (36-17)
4. Denver Nuggets (36-19)
5. Phoenix Suns (33-22)
6. New Orleans Pelicans (33-22)
7. Dallas Mavericks (32-23)
8. Sacramento Kings (31-23)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (30-26)
10. Golden State Warriors (27-26)

Outside the Playoff Picture: Utah Jazz (26-30), Houston Rockets (24-30), Memphis Grizzlies (20-36), Portland Trail Blazers (15-39), San Antonio Spurs (11-44)

Roughly 30 games to play! The NBA’s final third starts tomorrow.

FOX Sports: NBA Power Rankings: Stretch Run Begins With Celtics Back on Top

Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images