NBA Stars Are Gearing Up For the NBA Play-In

Author: Raul Martinez

Editor: Brian Symons

As the NBA season nears its conclusion, the playoffs are right around the corner. Though this year it's changed, with the short-season the NBA will have a play-in tournament. With a new playoff format, we need to know how it works and who will be in the tournament.

What exactly is the play-in tournament and how does it work?

The play-in tournament is a new form of competition to determine who is the seventh and eighth seed in each conference. As of right now, the seventh and eighth seed will battle it out to settle who is the seventh seed in the playoffs. As this is going on, the ninth and tenth seed still have a chance to make it in the tournament by playing each other. Whoever wins gets to play the loser from the seventh and eighth seed. These matchups will happen for both conferences to ultimately determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn't.

When is the play-in tournament?

The tournament will take place from May 18-21. After the play-in is over the playoffs will begin right away on May 22.

Who could be in the tournament?

At this point in the seasons, it's hard to tell who is going to be in the play-in. However based on the NBA standings right now we can expect a few teams to appear in the play-in.

Eastern Conference

As of right now both the seventh seed Heat and the sixth seed Celtics have the same record. Below Miami are the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers looking to stay where they are if not higher. The Wizards are looking to say something by stealing the ninth spot with the help of their dynamic duo, Bradley Beal and Russel Westbrook. Each team still has a chance to get into the play-in though it all depends on themselves.

Western Conference

The Western Conference has a much tighter race as the defending champions Lakers, are looking to avoid a play-in. After losing twice to the Mavericks, the Lakers gave other teams life to make it into the tournament. The tenth seed red hot Warriors led by Stephen Curry look to make a push, though need to depend on teams such as the Spurs and Grizzlies to lose. By May we should know more details about who is safe from the play-in and who looks to be in the play-in.

This new tournament adds excitement to the game showing that no one is safe. Just losing two games could put you in danger of losing your spot in the play-in. It should be an entertaining tournament to watch to see which teams are real or which teams are pretenders.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE