50-loss team in the playoffs?

[gordontrue]

The '68 Bulls, 86' Bulls, and 88' Spurs all made the playoffs despite losing more than 50 games.

Could we see 1 or 2 of those teams this season?

If you assume that ATL, TOR, CHI, CLE, WAS, and MIL (who are all above 56% winning) are all top-6 seeds... and then assume that ORL, PHI, and NYK (who are all below 30% winning) all miss the playoffs...

That leaves CHA, MIA, BRK, BOS, DET, and IND fighting over the last 2 spots. Those 6 teams are currently separated by just 2 games.

Right now those teams all project to finish the season with somewhere between 47-49 losses.

It looks very likely that at least 2 of those teams avoid 50 losses... if not all of them.

 

[bksballer89]

Doubt it

 

[TDs3nOut]

The last couple of teams to make it in the East figure to at least be close to 50 losses. Doubtful that it matters much, however, since they are also unlikely to win a series or more.

 

[msgkings322]

The last couple of teams to make it in the East figure to at least be close to 50 losses. Doubtful that it matters much, however, since they have zero chance of winning a series.

FIFY

 

[tducey]

Yeah, it'd be bad that a 50 loss team made the playoffs in the East while a 50 win team in the West didn't make it.

 

[msgkings322]

Yeah, it'd be bad that a 50 loss team made the playoffs in the East while a 50 win team in the West didn't make it.

Apparently Adam Silver is on it, says he's open to making the 16 playoff teams independent of conference. Division winners would still be automatic no matter their record, other 10 teams by record regardless of conference. Problem is the better teams in the weaker conference (East for now) get to fatten up on crappy opponents.

 

[OregonDucks]

I could see the Heat making the playoffs with a losing record.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Let's just replace the 7 & 8 seeds in the East with the Suns and Pelicans.

 

[gordontrue]

Officially off the table.

Only 7 teams so far have secured a < 50 loss season... but the Pacers and the Nets play each other tomorrow with the winner securing < 50 losses.