Schedule, projections and guidelines defined

Because the NBA’s 2021-22 regular season attracts to a conclusion on April 10, groups close to the center of the standings are battling for postseason seeding with a particular give attention to the league’s play-in event.

Held earlier than the primary spherical of the 2022 NBA playoffs, the play-in event provides an thrilling wrinkle to the top of the common season. Groups have been already much less incentivized to tank video games down the stretch due to the flattened lottery odds instituted in 2019. Now that the highest 10 groups within the standings will end the common season with at the least an opportunity to make the playoffs, extra franchises will keep within the combine for longer.

The play-in event will probably be held April 12 by April 15.

This is all the pieces it is advisable know concerning the setup this season. (Matchups will probably be added as soon as they’re determined):

MORE: Current NBA standings

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How does the NBA play-in event work?

There will probably be six whole video games involving eight groups as a part of the play-in event, cut up up between the 2 conferences.

The groups that end Nos. 1-6 in every convention will probably be assured playoff spots, whereas group Nos. 7-10 within the standings will enter the play-in. Any group that finishes worse than No. 10 will probably be within the lottery.

This is how the video games will work:

Recreation 1: The No. 7 group within the standings by successful proportion will host the No. eight group, with the winner incomes the No. 7 seed within the playoffs. The dropping group will get one other probability in Recreation 3.

Recreation 2: The No. 9 group will host the No. 10 group, with the winner shifting on to Recreation 3. The loser is eradicated and enters the NBA draft lottery.

Recreation 3: The loser of the No. 7 vs. No. eight matchup will host the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup, with the victor grabbing the No. eight seed within the postseason. The loser of Recreation Three additionally enters the lottery.

Which means the groups with the seventh-highest and eighth-highest successful percentages could have two alternatives to win one sport to earn a playoff spot, whereas the groups with the ninth-highest and 10th-highest successful percentages must win two straight video games to advance.

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What’s subsequent after the play-in?

As soon as the play-in winners, seeded No. 7 and No. eight from every convention advance, the 2022 NBA playoffs will start on April 16. Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals is June 2.