If the playoffs started today, the Nets would be the six seed in the Eastern Conference. They would match up with their Atlantic Division foe the Toronto Raptors. A fine draw for the Nets, who just beat Toronto on Monday and can exploit the Raptors lack of a large veteran presence. The Nets have 18 games remaining this season, with their opponents winning percentage being a combined .420.
We at NetsDaily are going to start updating you great readers frequently on the ever-changing NBA playoff picture. So here is the latest as of Sunday, March 16 at 7:30 PM.
Nets magic number to clinch the playoffs: Nine
Nets magic number to clinch the seventh seed: 12
Nets magic number to clinch the sixth seed: 14
After that, the Nets do not control their own destiny and would need help from the teams ahead of them. Those teams are:
- The third seeded Raptors, who are three-and-a-half games ahead of Brooklyn in the Atlantic division. The Raptors do own the tiebreakers over the Nets and play six games against teams with below a .350 winning percentage. The Raptors have 17 games remaining.
- The fourth seeded Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are three up on the Nets. The Nets lost the season series to the Bulls two-to-one. The Nets and Bulls matched up in a seven-game classic in the first round last season, one where the Nets lost to the banged up Bulls on their home floor. The Bulls also play six games against teams with sub .350 winning percentages, and have 16 games to play.
- The fifth seeded Washington Wizards. The Wizards took the fifth spot from the Nets last season in Washington, and officially took the season series from the Nets. The Nets are tied with the Wizards in the loss column, but are two back in the wins column. Like the aforementioned two, the Wizards play six games against teams with under a .350 winning percentage. Washington plays 16 more games this season.
The Nets can nab the fifth seed and take on either Chicago or Washington, but both have been difficult games for Brooklyn. Maybe standing pat in sixth place isn't that bad after all. In order for them to hang onto their current position, they need to hold off the Charlotte Bobcats. Charlotte is a game-and-a-half behind Brooklyn and has the easiest schedule remaining of all Eastern Conference teams. Their opponents combined winning percentage is .420. The Nets meet up with the Bobcats twice more this season, this Wednesday in Brooklyn, and the Wednesday after that in Charlotte. The Nets and Bobcats have each won once against each other.
Eastern Strength of Schedule - PlayoffStatus.com