2024 NBA Season

[Emitdama]

It is not that all teams who are 4 games between the 8th seed, it is only the 9th seed team and that is only if there is 4 game difference or less. So, in this scenario Grizzlies will be facing Blazers who is 3 games behind and Grizz needs to win once over Blazers whereas Blazers needs to win twice to go to playoffs. Obviously that is an example on the current standings, with the 8 games that is going to play it will change.

The reason why this happened was there was about 20 games? or so left in the league I think and considering there is a shortened version of the league they had to give the teams a bit of a chance to make it to playoffs, since they can't do the full games, they did this 9th seed thing. If you are 10th seed, doesn't matter if you are 2 games behind or even half a game behind, you are out, 9th is the only one that has a possibility.

[chaser15]

With the new format, it brings more competition to the bottom.

Whoever thinks of that format is a genius. It won't be approved if the format is trash.

I remember Damian Lillard, he should play then as Blazers might make it to the playoffs. Throw away his own desire as I don't see any wrong with the format. Every remaining game really matters so as much as possible, teams should be healthy and complete.

[Captain Corporate]

 Yeah with this system Blazers will definitely have a chance to be in the playoffs as they are now 3 games behind with 4 games behind required, which means if they fall off that level and be 5 games behind or lose the 9th spot, its their own fault and they should have played better. With only 8 games on the regular season I feel like they may not fall of that level too much and finish around here somewhere.

 And having another extra game for the last spot would not really mean too much if you ask me, its very very rare that 8th seed beats the first seed, I remember warriors did it to dallas YEARS ago, and it was a big deal back in those days, and I do not mean warriors of now, it was back in the day of Baron Davis days I think (or at least monta ellis) and aside from that I do not remember any example of it at all.

[Reid]

For fairness. Example: Pelicans take the 8th seed and Grizzlies suddenly went on 9th. They will have the opportunity to play against the 8th spot as long as there are only 4 wins differential.

Am I right?

Yes. The 9th seed would have a chance for 8th spot or last playoffs spot if they are just behind 4 games win on the 8th spot.

That would be decided in a twice-to-beat advantage of the 8th spot and win-or-go-home for the 9th spot.

Here, teams at the bottom should just need to target at least 8th spot or 9th spot in the standings so somehow be alive in playoffs position.

I like to see that in-play tournament and honestly, looking how closed the battle of the bottom on the West, it's likely to happen compared to East.

This is why I keep on using the Western Conference as an example.
The number of wins is just near each team. 8-11th rank
Does it mean it is like almost a playoffs at the bottom?

It sounds exhausting and they should provide time for rest before they start the playoffs again.
Now, they will learn something from this. Aim for the top to avoid unnecessary games that will fatigue the team. 

[Bttzed03]

~ I remember Damian Lillard, he should play then as Blazers might make it to the playoffs. Throw away his own desire as I don't see any wrong with the format. Every remaining game really matters so as much as possible, teams should be healthy and complete.

The irony though is that Blazers voted no to the proposal 
I don't know why but maybe they thought it's useless because Dame won't play seriously 

~
It sounds exhausting and they should provide time for rest before they start the playoffs again.
Now, they will learn something from this. Aim for the top to avoid unnecessary games that will fatigue the team. 

That extra two games (or one if 8th seed wins game 1 against 9th) won't matter much I think. It's been a long lay off and they probably need it to stay more fit for the playoff. It really sounds weird to me to hear or read the word "rest" right now.

I was hoping to see the game schedules but it's not available yet on NBA's website. I bet it would be packed.


For the Nets fans waiting for Durant to play, he's already ruled out playing for the 2019-2020 season. I guess he learned how not to rush in while recovering from an injury when he was in GS. Good choice. Kevin Durant confirms he won't return for NBA restart

[Sanitough]

For the Nets fans waiting for Durant to play, he's already ruled out playing for the 2019-2020 season. I guess he learned how not to rush in while recovering from an injury when he was in GS. Good choice. Kevin Durant confirms he won't return for NBA restart

He learned the hard way for sure because he is out for one who season because of that one big mistake when he force to play to help his team.
Durant is one of my favorite players in the NBA, so I'm hoping that the injury he suffered did not really affect him a lot and I will see the same Durant when he comes back. He has a big responsibility with the Nets along with Irving, I think if these two will just stay healthy, they could be a good contented in the NBA.

Nets has a good standing when the season will resume, so I also hope that they will make it to the playoffs so they will get the experience that might help them in the next playoffs, with Durant and Irving back playing. I don't expect them to win in even in the first round this season BTW.

[Rikafip]

Now when we know which teams will continue the season, most probably schedule for rest of the games is out. I will focus only on those teams that are fighting for playoff spot. You can find schedule for rest of the teams in this article.

On the East , three teams will fight for that 8th spot: Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. From what I can see, Wizards will have very tough job securing that spot as they will have hard schedule, on top of the fact that they are 6 games behind opponents. Mission impossible for them I would say, so here I  see Nets and Magic keeping those 7th and 8th spot and qualifying for the playoff.

Nets vs Clippers, Kings, Wizards, Celtics, Magic, Clippers, Magic, Blazers
Magic vs Pacers, Kings, Nets, Nets, Pelicans, 76ers, Raptors, Lakers or Trail Blazers
Wizards vs Celtics, Thunder, 76ers, Nets, Bucks, Celtics, Suns, Bucks


Situation is more complicated on the West, where 5 teams will fight for the playoff spots: Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.
Hard to give any prognosis in West, but I doubt that Suns and Spurs will have a good chance, when you combine their current score and tough schedules. If I have to bet on osomeone, it would be Grizzlies, followed by Blazers. But who knows, maybe Zion goes crazy and carries Pelicans to that 8th spot.

Grizzlies vs  Blazers, Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Bucks, Pelicans, Pelicans, Celtics
Blazers vs  Grizzlies, Rockets, Mavericks, 76ers, Celtics, Nets, Lakers, Heat or Magic
Pelicans vs  Kings, Jazz, Clippers, Spurs, Grizzlies, Kings, Grizzlies, Magic
Kings vs Pelicans, Nets, Mavericks, Rockets, Magic, Pelicans, Pacers, Spurs
Spurs vs Nuggets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Jazz, Jazz, Nuggets, Kings, 76ers
Suns vs Mavericks, Pacers, Clippers, Mavericks, 76ers, Wizards, Heat, Thunder

What do you guys think, who will secure those playoff spots?

[Ziskinberg]

What do you guys think, who will secure those playoff spots?

For the East, I'll go for the Magic to take the last spot.

For the West, I think Spurs will make it, I trust coach Pop in crucial situation like this, then they will upset the Lakers. 

[Russlenat]

What do you guys think, who will secure those playoff spots?

For the East, I'll go for the Magic to take the last spot.

They ranked number 8 now, so they are the better team against their opponent, I think Magic has improve a lot this season and they will work hard to be in the playoffs, so my vote will also go for them.

For the West, I think Spurs will make it, I trust coach Pop in crucial situation like this, then they will upset the Lakers. 

We can't deny that in terms of coaching, Gregg Popovich is really one of the best in the NBA, but this season I saw how the Spurs struggle and I think they will miss the playoffs this season, I'm going for the Pelicans as I trust Zion to give his best just to get his first playoffs appearance as a rookie.

[Ziskinberg]

For the West, I think Spurs will make it, I trust coach Pop in crucial situation like this, then they will upset the Lakers. 

We can't deny that in terms of coaching, Gregg Popovich is really one of the best in the NBA, but this season I saw how the Spurs struggle and I think they will miss the playoffs this season, I'm going for the Pelicans as I trust Zion to give his best just to get his first playoffs appearance as a rookie.

I know the spurs have struggled this season so far but I just blindly bet on them as coach pop give help me wins a lot of times in the past so I owe him a lot, and soon this awesome coach will retire and he will be a respected coach for a the basketball fanatic like me.

There's no indication yet that he will retire but as long as he is still managing a team, I will always follow my heart, lol..
Last season, I bet on the Spurs to win against the Nuggets, it was a fun series for me although Spurs lose in 7 games IIRC.

[Rosilito]

~ I remember Damian Lillard, he should play then as Blazers might make it to the playoffs. Throw away his own desire as I don't see any wrong with the format. Every remaining game really matters so as much as possible, teams should be healthy and complete.

The irony though is that Blazers voted no to the proposal  
I don't know why but maybe they thought it's useless because Dame won't play seriously  

Maybe because of Dame or maybe because of this article I found which says that they "prefer 20 teams rather than 22".
Here's the tweet:

Source: here

Not sure what's wrong with 22 teams though, that they have to against with it, the league didn't choose random numbers either .

What do you guys think, who will secure those playoff spots?

If I were to choose which team in the East should take the spot, I'd like to pick Wizard though it would be tough for them. Bradley's been explosive, he don't even get the chance to play in All Star game even though he's more worthy to have the spot than anybody in the reserves there. So I want him to clinch in playoffs at least.

Well, in West... it is such a dilemma to pick between Zion and Ja team. I like Ja but I like Zion too  , maybe a play-in tournament would solve this .

[mirakal]

Not sure what's wrong with 22 teams though, that they have to against with it, the league didn't choose random numbers either .

If It's 20 teams, 10-10 for the east and west only, and since they are in top 9 in the latest ranking, they will only play the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, so that would mean they will only play few games that the current set up, or maybe they don't like to face the kings.

[Reid]

Situation is more complicated on the West, where 5 teams will fight for the playoff spots: Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.
Hard to give any prognosis in West, but I doubt that Suns and Spurs will have a good chance, when you combine their current score and tough schedules. If I have to bet on osomeone, it would be Grizzlies, followed by Blazers. But who knows, maybe Zion goes crazy and carries Pelicans to that 8th spot.

Grizzlies vs  Blazers, Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Bucks, Pelicans, Pelicans, Celtics
Blazers vs  Grizzlies, Rockets, Mavericks, 76ers, Celtics, Nets, Lakers, Heat or Magic
Pelicans vs  Kings, Jazz, Clippers, Spurs, Grizzlies, Kings, Grizzlies, Magic
Kings vs Pelicans, Nets, Mavericks, Rockets, Magic, Pelicans, Pacers, Spurs
Spurs vs Nuggets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Jazz, Jazz, Nuggets, Kings, 76ers
Suns vs Mavericks, Pacers, Clippers, Mavericks, 76ers, Wizards, Heat, Thunder

What do you guys think, who will secure those playoff spots?

I am all looking at the West only.
Yeah, that is because of the complicated standing which is just near each other.

Look at the Pelicans schedule. It looks easy. They might really have a chance here for the 8th spot.
Zion will need to put his best game from the start if they really want that seat taken from Grizzlies.

Not sure what's wrong with 22 teams though, that they have to against with it, the league didn't choose random numbers either .

Less competition means less work to do.  
Edit: Oh! we got the same idea as mirakal above me.  

[danherbias07]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-rumors-kyrie-irving-kevin-021837048.html

Kevin Durant won't play.
Kyrie Irving might join the team but maybe just on the sideline.

This will be a difficult tournament for the Brooklyn Nets.

What do you guys think, who will secure those playoff spots?

For the East, I'll go for the Magic to take the last spot.

For the West, I think Spurs will make it, I trust coach Pop in crucial situation like this, then they will upset the Lakers. 

It's just Washington which they will need to worry here and looking at the team they will be playing against it will be difficult to get near Nets and Magic.

[Rikafip]

For the West, I think Spurs will make it, I trust coach Pop in crucial situation like this, then they will upset the Lakers. 

I love your optimism . This Spurs getting into playoff and then beating this Lakers would probably be the biggest surprise in the modern NBA history. Pop is a great coach, one of the best ever, but he s not the magician.

I am all looking at the West only.
Yeah, that is because of the complicated standing which is just near each other.

Look at the Pelicans schedule. It looks easy. They might really have a chance here for the 8th spot.
Zion will need to put his best game from the start if they really want that seat taken from Grizzlies.

Yeah it won't be so interesting at the EAST as Nets and Magic almost qualified already. Good thing for Pelicans is that they have two games against Grizzlies, and if they beat those two, their chances ain't bad, and I will certainly  root for them as I would like to see Zion in the playoff.

One thing got me thinking though; since all games will be played at the same place, including the playoffs, that means top teams won't have any home advantage. Therefore, teams that already secured playoff might not push that hard in those 8 games, and might calculate a bit, resting the important players for the playoff. That also might affect race for playoff spot as it is not the same thing if you are playing vs Clippers that are resting Kawhi and PG.

[Golftech]

Not sure what's wrong with 22 teams though, that they have to against with it, the league didn't choose random numbers either .

If It's 20 teams, 10-10 for the east and west only, and since they are in top 9 in the latest ranking, they will only play the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, so that would mean they will only play few games that the current set up, or maybe they don't like to face the kings.

Logically right, if the set up is like that there's only few games and preparing for the playoff if they've got the last spot will be the next task for them to
look forward. Though whatever reason behind this vote they need to comply what the organization stated and proceed to 22 teams setup.
They still have a good chance to take the spot and move forward.

[darewaller]

It makes sense to look at the west but let's be honest there is about 8 or 9 teams that has a chance to win the title (which is a lot compared to previous years where only warriors was seen as the contender and parity was gone) but even with that, I think 3 or 4 teams have a chance at most.

On west I think Lakers and clippers will be the biggest talents, Kawhi and PG13 got injured a lot during the regular season so people thought they were not as good as predicted but they actually are, just got unlucky with injuries. Lakers also played amazingly like expected as well.

It means 2 teams from west are 100% contenders, on top of that rockets could be decent but they failed to perform in the regular season, nuggets do not look that experienced just yet, Jazz is a big question mark. All of these are "semi-contender", as in if an injury happens to their opponent they could beat them, but all intents and purposes they shouldn't. Bucks from east with maybe Raptors and Celtics are contenders too, but mainly Bucks obviously. I say it is between Bucks and Lakers and Clippers, that's it.

[harizen]

For the West, I think Spurs will make it, I trust coach Pop in crucial situation like this, then they will upset the Lakers. 

Even refs will participate just to make the Spurs win every game, it's difficult to imagine that they will able to secure the 8th spot. While they will try to win every game, obviously teams above them are also doing the same. Like I said here before, this might be the season that Spurs 22 consecutive playoffs appearances will now be broken.


As for Pelicans, Zion should try to stay healthy. Remember that they are almost out of the playoffs discussion not until Zion return. I even put up a bet here if they will make it to the playoffs but no one accepts my deal until to the deadline I set I might not repeat that again as Pelicans chances to 8th spot possible.

For the Nets fans waiting for Durant to play, he's already ruled out playing for the 2019-2020 season. I guess he learned how not to rush in while recovering from an injury when he was in GS. Good choice. Kevin Durant confirms he won't return for NBA restart

And besides, that is expected already so should be no surprise to his fans. Even without the pandemic virus, he is already expected to return the next NBA season. He needs a long rest and shows something good next year as Nets already gambled a 1 year for that.

[Rosilito]

If It's 20 teams, 10-10 for the east and west only, and since they are in top 9 in the latest ranking, they will only play the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, so that would mean they will only play few games that the current set up, or maybe they don't like to face the kings.

Less competition means less work to do.  
Edit: Oh! we got the same idea as mirakal above me.  

Easy way out, huh. Makes sense. Specially Dame wouldn't play right? They must be struggling right now.

-
Look at the Pelicans schedule. It looks easy. They might really have a chance here for the 8th spot.
Zion will need to put his best game from the start if they really want that seat taken from Grizzlies.

Yeah it won't be so interesting at the EAST as Nets and Magic almost qualified already. Good thing for Pelicans is that they have two games against Grizzlies, and if they beat those two, their chances ain't bad, and I will certainly  root for them as I would like to see Zion in the playoff.

Looks like the league wants Zion to bound in  . Kiddin' aside it seems Pelicans had already won twice against the Grizzlies with and without Zion playing.

Here's the photo:

Source: https://www.landofbasketball.com/head_to_head_gl/pelicans_vs_grizzlies_game_log_season.htm


Man, this is interesting would this win streak be continue? . Turns out Ja Morrant needs to put up a lot of work, and extra effort against his former buddy or else they'll be watching playoffs from afar.

One thing got me thinking though; since all games will be played at the same place, including the playoffs, that means top teams won't have any home advantage. Therefore, teams that already secured playoff might not push that hard in those 8 games, and might calculate a bit, resting the important players for the playoff. That also might affect race for playoff spot as it is not the same thing if you are playing vs Clippers that are resting Kawhi and PG.

Might be, yes. But isn't it the rest they have since March 11 not enough? Looking on the other side, I think the last 8 games they'll be having to conclude playoff spot, it'll be somehow a warm up game for them... you know, to set back their condition after the long break they have. Not to mention that no fans were allowed to watch, it'll feel entirely different for them. But yeah, whatever, playoffs is more important, and their top priority .

[danherbias07]

I still don't see bets posted in gambling websites despite the approval to return.
Maybe 1 week before?

One thing got me thinking though; since all games will be played at the same place, including the playoffs, that means top teams won't have any home advantage. Therefore, teams that already secured playoff might not push that hard in those 8 games, and might calculate a bit, resting the important players for the playoff. That also might affect race for playoff spot as it is not the same thing if you are playing vs Clippers that are resting Kawhi and PG.

And since they are all in the same place, wouldn't it be fun if the players will be the fans?
I think that will be unique.
Is there a suggestion box to drop my entry?