The Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament matchups are locked in following Sunday's afternoon games; the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics are set to battle it out for the conference's No. 7 seed in the playoffs, while the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets will play for a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Advertisement
The Wizards edged the Hornets on Sunday 115-110, securing their eighth-place finish in the conference while also dropping the Hornets to No. 10. The Celtics, meanwhile, fell to the New York Knicks 96-92, which secured the latter's place as the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. The Pacers' 125-113 win over the Raptors cemented their place at No. 9.
The Eastern Conference Play-in Day 1 schedule (all times Eastern):
Tuesday, May 18
6:30 p.m.: No. 9 Indiana vs. No. 10 Charlotte (TNT)
9 p.m.: No. 7 Boston vs. No. 8 Washington (TNT)
GO DEEPER
Knicks are going into the playoffs on a high: 'You don't want to feel too good because you always want more'
GO DEEPER
LeBron’s greatest quote, rival collide in Play-In vs. Steph Curry: 46 thoughts, and my awards picks, going into playoffs
Can the Celtics turn it around?
Jared Weiss, Celtics beat writer: Boston has absolutely stumbled into the postseason before even considering the loss of Jaylen Brown for the year. They have the firepower to beat Washington with the way Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker have been scoring.
But if Rob Williams can't return from his turf toe injury, Boston will rely upon Tristan Thompson and likely Luke Kornet to try to stop Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal flying full speed to the rim.
The Celtics just barely eked out a one-point win the last time these teams played in Boston. That was without Brown. Expect another tight one Tuesday.
How far can the Wizards go?
Fred Katz, Wizards beat writer: They should find a way to get into the playoffs, now that they are in a double-elimination situation. Even if they lose in Boston on Tuesday, they have another chance to grab the No. 8 seed Thursday against either the Pacers or Hornets.
But they certainly won't be favored after that — whether they end up facing the Nets, 76ers or Bucks. Those teams are loaded. But Washington is hot, too, winners of 17 of 23 to close the regular season. They certainly won't go down without a fight.
How are the Pacers feeling?
Bob Kravitz, senior Indiana writer: The Pacers are heading into the play-in with the knowledge they have a very low ceiling. Myles Turner will not be back. T.J. Warren has been out since the fourth game of the season. Jeremy Lamb won’t play and Edmond Sumner is doubtful.
Advertisement
This is a team that has been ravaged by injuries, although coach Nate Bjorkgren said Malcolm Brogdon may return for Tuesday’s game. And then there are the issues swirling around Bjorkgren, who reportedly has rubbed several players the wrong way this season.
When the Pacers are eliminated, will he be back? Giant question.
How do Hornets match up with Pacers?
Seth Partnow, NBA league analyst: Over the season, Indiana has been the stronger team, with the Hornets only finishing a single game behind because of their exceptional results in late/close situations.
Among teams who did not tank to finish off the season, only Miami's record exceeded expectations based on point differential by more.
Overall, Charlotte was about two points/100 worse than the Pacers over the season. The path for the Hornets to win will be to take advantage of their ability to win the possession game, using their superior offensive rebounding and ability to force turnovers to make up for Indiana's edge in per play offensive and defensive efficiency.
(Photo: Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images)