Hi guys! So I will be trying to lay down each possible scenarios for those teams that are still eligible to go to Vegas either as a wildcard or the top seed of the groups. This has been an enjoyable tournament so far and I love how there's still so much to fight for even on the last game day on the 28th. Let's start with the East:
EAST A
| Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 546 | 507 | 39 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 346 | 340 | 6 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 4 | 2 | 2 | 485 | 476 | 9 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 3 | 1 | 2 | 394 | 403 | -9 |
| Detroit Pistons | 4 | 0 | 4 | 439 | 484 | -45 |
Remaining games: ATL vs CLE
- CLE needs to win by a LOT to have a chance via wildcards with the Knicks boasting a +18 PD going into the last game day compared to Cavs' +6. ATL winning would make both of the teams stay at 2-2 with other groups in play, not enough for a shot at wildcards.
EAST B
| Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | 3 | 3 | 0 | 371 | 332 | 39 |
| New York Knicks | 3 | 2 | 1 | 325 | 307 | 18 |
| Miami Heat | 3 | 2 | 1 | 330 | 319 | 11 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 3 | 1 | 2 | 328 | 358 | -30 |
| Washington Wizards | 4 | 0 | 4 | 458 | 496 | -38 |
Remaining games: MIL vs MIA, CHA vs NYK
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While the Bucks are mostly through, they need to win to stamp the outright berth to QF (eliminating the Heat in the process) however if they do lose, they still have the pole position for 1 seed by virtue of the best PD as long as the Heat don't beat them by a lot (MIA winning by 15 or more will make them overtake MIL on PD)
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A CHA win followed by MIA win will eliminate the Knicks, a MIA win with NYK win will make a 3-way tie towards 1 seed, with the team with best PD going through, while the 2 seed will depend on their PD for the wildcard spot. A MIL win with CHA win will effectively eliminate the Heat and Knicks (still probable for a 2-2 team to get wildcard but highly unlikely)
EAST C
| Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Magic | 4 | 3 | 1 | 446 | 424 | 22 |
| Boston Celtics | 3 | 2 | 1 | 325 | 325 | 0 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 3 | 2 | 1 | 340 | 332 | 8 |
| Toronto Raptors | 3 | 1 | 2 | 333 | 342 | -9 |
| Chicago Bulls | 3 | 0 | 3 | 312 | 333 | -21 |
Remaining games: CHI vs BOS, TOR vs BKN
-
Celtics needs to win by at least 23 points to overtake the Magic and take 1 seed, the Nets will just need to win at least 15 points to do the same, if both fail the Magic advances as 1 seed while BOS and BKN will have to anxiously wait if the PD they gathered are enough for a wildcard spot
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A CHI and TOR win will theoretically eliminate Celtics and Nets, though as mentioned in East B, a 2-2 wildcard team is probable but highly unlikely
WEST A
| Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 494 | 420 | 74 |
| Phoenix Suns | 4 | 3 | 1 | 480 | 446 | 34 |
| Utah Jazz | 4 | 2 | 2 | 469 | 482 | -13 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 4 | 1 | 3 | 416 | 455 | -39 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 4 | 0 | 4 | 430 | 486 | -56 |
Remaining games: None
- The only complete group so far, PHX will have to anxiously wait if their +34 PD is good enough for QF
WEST B
| Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | 4 | 3 | 1 | 463 | 430 | 33 |
| Houston Rockets | 3 | 2 | 1 | 309 | 293 | 16 |
| Denver Nuggets | 4 | 2 | 2 | 432 | 442 | -10 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 3 | 1 | 2 | 368 | 382 | -14 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 4 | 1 | 3 | 446 | 471 | -25 |
Remaining games: HOU vs DAL
- A Mavs win will make the Pels qualify to QF. A Houston win will make them qualify to QF with virtue of head-to-head vs the Pels
WEST C
| Team | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | 3 | 3 | 0 | 358 | 329 | 29 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 3 | 2 | 1 | 332 | 335 | -2 |
| Golden State Warriors | 3 | 2 | 1 | 360 | 355 | 5 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 3 | 1 | 2 | 360 | 333 | 27 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 4 | 0 | 4 | 429 | 487 | -58 |
Remaining games: OKC vs MIN, GSW vs SAC
-
A Kings win followed by a Wolves win will have SAC qualify to QF as 1 seed, eliminating GSW in the process. MIN needs to win by at least 37 points to usurp PHX for the wildcard spot.
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A Warriors win along with a Thunder win will qualify GSW to the QF as the 1 seed. A Warriors and Wolves win will see a 3 way tie with the best team on PD going through. PHX advances as the wildcard seed.
So that's about the last gameday permutations I can think of for all the groups in the IST. Honestly cannot wait for 28th because there will be some anxious moments especially for those teams vying for the wildcard spots. This tourney has been a big W so far :D