The Eastern Conference’s postseason picture is much clearer after Friday night’s games, though we’ll still have to wait until next week’s play-in tournament to determine who will emerge as the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds.
The top-six seeds are now set after Brooklyn defeated Orlando:
- Bucks
- Celtics
- Sixers
- Cavaliers
- Knicks
- Nets
Two first-round playoff matchups are finalized: Philadelphia will face Brooklyn, and Cleveland will face New York.
As for the bottom end of the postseason picture, Toronto lost to Boston tonight, which means the play-in tournament has been finalized for the East (Twitter link via Mark Medina of NBA.com).
- No. 7 Heat will host No. 8 Hawks on April 11 — the winner advances as the No. 7 seed to face Boston.
- No. 9 Raptors will host No. 10 Bulls on April 12 — winner advances to face the loser of Miami vs. Atlanta.
- Loser of the seven/eight matchup plays the winner of the nine/10 on April 14 — winner advances as the No. 8 seed to face Milwaukee.
The first round starts on April 15, according to the NBA. The Bucks have locked up the best record in the league and will have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.