2022 NBA Playoffs: April 8 update as Sixers prepare for final 2 games
As the Philadelphia 76ers head into their final two games of the 2021-22 season, it almost seems like a formality that they will be the No. 4 seed in the East which means they would take on the Toronto Raptors in Round 1 of the playoffs. The Chicago Bulls could still be a possibility, but there would have to be some movement all around the Eastern Conference.
Until the conclusion of the regular season on April 10, we are going to regularly update the Eastern Conference standings and where the Sixers are at on an everyday basis while also taking a look at who they could possibly face in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Thursday's most prominent games (April 7)
The Sixers falling to the Raptors on Thursday all but assures them the No. 4 seed in the East. It is a tough outcome for the Sixers considering they will not have Matisse Thybulle for the road games in that series, but that is the bed this team has made for itself.
Around the East on Thursday, the Boston Celtics fell to the Milwaukee Bucks which dropped them to No. 3 and the Bucks moved up to No. 2. With the way the standings are set up, the Sixers still have a chance to move up to 3, but it is unlikely. Philadelphia will have to win their final two games and the Celtics would have to lose to a Memphis Grizzlies team with nothing to play for so No. 4 is the likely fate for the Sixers.
As far as the play-in is concerned, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic at home. The Sixers have a slim chance of moving up to No. 2, but would need the Bucks to take some losses.
Friday's most prominent games (April 8)
The Sixers are idle on Friday, but they will have their eyes on other teams across the league. The Bucks are in Detroit to take on the Pistons on Friday and the Sixers, who are one game back of Milwaukee for the No. 2 seed, need the Bucks to take a loss in the Motor City.
The Miami Heat have already clinched the No. 1 seed.
The Raptors will play host to the Houston Rockets and the Bulls play host to the Hornets. Chicago stands two games back of Toronto for the No. 5 seed, but considering the adversity they have gone through, it doesn’t seem likely they’ll move up. The Raptors should also defeat the Rockets at home which would clinch the No. 5 seed for them.
For the play-in teams, the Brooklyn Nets play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a big matchup in terms of who gets the No. 7 seed in the play-in tournament. The Atlanta Hawks are in Miami to take on the Heat to hang in there for a home game in the play-in.
Important games:
Bucks at Pistons 7 p.m. EDT
Cavaliers at Nets 7:30 p.m. EDT
Rockets at Raptors 7:30 p.m. EDT
Hawks at Heat 8 p.m. EDT
Hornets at Bulls 8 p.m. EDT
April 8 East playoff standings
X-Miami Heat 52-28 –GB
X-Milwaukee Bucks 50-30 2 GB
X-Boston Celtics 50-31 2.5 GB
X-Philadelphia 76ers 49-31 3 GB
X-Toronto Raptors 47-33 5 GB
X-Chicago Bulls 45-35 7 GB
PI-Cleveland Cavaliers 43-37 9 GB
PI-Brooklyn Nets 42-38 10 GB
PI-Atlanta Hawks 42-38 10 GB
PI-Charlotte Hornets 41-39 11 GB
X-denotes a playoff spot clinched
PI-denotes locked into the play-in tournament
1
1
