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The NBA implemented the play-in game to create excitement, make more games meaningful and curtail tanking.
With just four days left in the regular season, the intrigue surrounding the play-in format has drawn more attention than the race for the No. 1 seed, buoyed by the prospect of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers needing to win a play-in game to make the playoffs.
In short, the seventh- and eighth-place teams in both conferences aren’t guaranteed a playoff spot. The league has given the ninth- and 10th-place teams a shot at reaching the playoffs.
Here’s how it works and who might end up in the play-in game format.
After the regular season concludes, the seventh- and eighth-place teams play each other and the winner earns the No. 7 seed. The loser of that game plays the winner of the 9-10 game. The winner of that game becomes the No. 8 seed. To give the teams that had a better record during the regular season an advantage, teams 7-8 need to win just one play-in game to advance and teams 9-10 need to win two games.
The play-in games are May 18-21 with the 16-team, best-of-7 playoffs beginning May 22.
In the East, the picture is a bit more clear than in the West, though tiebreakers convolute the scenarios.
Boston, Charlotte, Indiana and Washington are in spots 7-10 right now with Chicago lurking in 11th place. The top six seeds in the East are set, so none of these teams can finish above No. 7.
The Celtics do not have seventh place secured. They are a 1½ game ahead of the Hornets and Pacers. All the Celtics need to do is win one of their final two games, and because they own the tiebreaker against Charlotte and Indiana, they will finish in the seven place in the East. That won’t be easy. Boston is banged up, without Jaylen Brown for the rest of the season and have lost nine of its past 13 games.
Celtics’ remaining games: at Minnesota, at New York Knicks
Though Charlotte and Indiana have identical records and each have two games remaining, the Hornets are in ninth place because they own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Both teams lost on Thursday. Charlotte does not have it easy the rest of the way, playing teams who are jostling for playoff or play-in positions. Indiana doesn’t have a cakewalk either. But at the very least, the Hornets and Pacers have locked up a play-in game spot.
Hornets’ remaining games: at New York Knicks, at Washington Wizards
Pacers’ remaining games: vs. Los Angeles Lakers, at Toronto
Washington wants a spot in the play-in game but needs to win a game. They are two games ahead of Chicago, and if the Wizards lost their final two games and Chicago won its final two, the Bulls would get in based on head-to-head tiebreaker. The Wizards could also move up if they win their final two games and get help with Charlotte and Indiana losses. That final game of the season between Washington and Charlotte could be significant.
Wizards’ remaining games: vs. Cleveland, vs. Charlotte
Bulls’ remaining games: at Brooklyn, vs. Milwaukee
In the West, the seventh-place Lakers, who are still waiting for LeBron James to return, still have a chance to move into the sixth or fifth spot, but they need help. At 40-30, they are a game 41-29 Dallas and a ½ game behind 41-30 Portland.
Both the Blazers and Mavericks own the tiebreaker against the Lakers, so for the Lakers to avoid the play-in game, they would need to win their two remaining games and either Dallas or Portland would have to their remaining games. So, Portland and Dallas could still end up in the play-in game, and the Blazers have the most difficult schedule of the three teams. Portland lost to Phoenix on Thursday. But if it’s the Lakers in the seventh spot, they could face eighth-place Golden State in a tantalizing play-in game.
Lakers’ remaining games: at Indiana, at New Orleans
Mavericks’ remaining games: vs. Toronto, at Minnesota
Blazers’ remaining games: vs. Denver
The Warriors don’t have eighth place in their possession just yet. Golden State is tied with Memphis at 37-33. That position could come down to the final game of the season when the Warriors and Grizzlies play on Sunday with the winner earning the tiebreaker.
Warriors’ remaining games: vs. New Orleans, vs. Memphis
Grizzlies’ remaining games: vs. Sacramento, at Golden State
San Antonio will finish in 10th place because Sacramento lost to Memphis on Thursday, eliminating the Kings from a play-in game possibility. The Spurs can’t catch Golden State or Memphis for eigth or ninth place.
Spurs’ remaining games: vs. Phoenix, vs. Phoenix
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steph Curry vs. LeBron James? It’s strong possibility for play-in game