Go forward and set your picks, the East postseason image is about after Friday evening’s set of outcomes.
The Indiana Pacers would be the East’s fourth seed and face the Milwaukee Bucks within the first spherical of the playoffs.
There was a chance that the Pacers may rise to 3rd by profitable its ultimate two video games and the New York Knicks stumbling. Friday evening’s 129-115 loss to the Orlando Magic cements their place because the fourth seed.
That additionally means the Knicks will face the Detroit Pistons within the first spherical in a matchup of the third and sixth seed.
Lastly, victories for the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls cemented their locations because the eighth and ninth seed, respectively. The Miami Warmth will probably be tenth regardless of spanking the New Orleans Pelicans 153-104.
Within the Play-In Match, Orlando will host Atlanta for the official rights to seventh place whereas Chicago will host Miami.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will await the winner of the eighth place recreation. The Boston Celtics will host the winner of the seventh place recreation.
THE EASTERN CONFERENCE POSTSEASON PICTURE IS SET 🚨
1. Cavaliers
2. Celtics
3. Knicks
4. Pacers
5. Bucks
6. Pistons
7. Magic
8. Hawks
9. Bulls
10. Warmth#SoFiPlayIn suggestions off 4/15#NBAPlayoffs introduced by Google tip off 4/19!— NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2025
Did The Pacers and Knicks Attempt To Duck Celtics?
After the Knicks misplaced three straight video games and the Pacers gained six in a row, Indiana had moved to inside one recreation of New York heading into Friday evening’s motion.
A win towards the Magic would have put additional stress on the Knicks, however the Pacers opted to sit down Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard.
Advancing to the second spherical because the fourth seed would end in a possible matchup towards the Cavs slightly than the Celtics. The Knicks at the moment are on the defending champions’ aspect of the bracket.
It’s additionally potential that the Pacers see the Bucks as a extra favorable matchup, contemplating final yr’s sequence victory over Milwaukee. There’s actually historical past between the 2 groups relationship again to final yr’s Play-In Match as effectively.
Damian Lillard’s absence is a large issue, however Milwaukee will go in figuring out they’ve the perfect participant within the sequence in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek celebrity missed final yr’s sequence by harm.