The Eastern Conference is heating up
The National Basketball Association is a crazy place. A few weeks ago, it seemed the Milwaukee Bucks were easily going to make the playoffs. Fast forward to March 23, and the Bucks are in the midst of a six-game losing streak and only 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers who sit tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Then there is the curious case of the Pacers, who looked all but certain to be making a hard charge toward the postseason. With Paul George readying for his return from a gruesome broken leg, Frank Vogel had his club playing inspired ball. Suddenly, Indiana has dropped five straight including head-scratching losses to the Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.
With approximately a dozen games remaining in the regular season, a bevy of teams are scrambling either to make the tournament or to improve seeding. Here are some things to watch this week:
1. Miami looks to make a move
The Miami Heat has been rising recently, all the way up to the seventh seed in the East. On Tuesday, the Heat pay a visit to the Bucks. Milwaukee is barely holding onto the sixth seed which could prove very important, with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers all but locked into the second spot. There is a reasonable chance that the Toronto Raptors will beat out the Chicago Bulls for the third seed, making No. 6 a desirable place to be. Ultimately, the Heat could get the sixth seed, beat the Raptors and then draw LeBron and the Cavaliers in the second round. Can you say must-see TV?
2. Chicago, Toronto battle
As mentioned above, the Bulls and Raptors are in a heated battle for the third slot in the East with the Raptors holding a half-game lead (one fewer loss). Why? Because the No. 3 seed gets to play a team currently with a losing record, while the squad that finishes fourth has the fun of playing John Wall, Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards. However, the third seed will be locking up with the Cavaliers in the second round, while the team which slides to fourth would face the Atlanta Hawks if it advances.
3. The Knicks can move closer to their destiny
The New York Knicks are a rancid organization and have been for the last decade. Yet, good news could finally emerge from this dumpster fire, with the first-overall pick seemingly in their grasp. At 14-56, New York has the worst record in the NBA and could move closer to clinching with contests against the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Celtics and Bulls this week. While the Draft Lottery still looms, the Knicks would assure themselves of the best odds. Good times in New York.
