The final day of the NBA regular season is upon us. Although most of the games won't feature any of either team's best players, they matter a lot when it comes to playoff seeding. The Milwaukee Bucks, for example, could have an impact on where the Boston Celtics end up slotted for the 2022 NBA playoffs.
The Bucks have most of their key players listed as out or doubtful on the NBA's injury report. They face the Cleveland Cavaliers with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez all likely to watch from the sideline.
If the Bucks lose to the Cavs — which is likely, as Cleveland will have most of its key players available and is the home team — then the Celtics have a shot to become the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They would have to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, which is no easy task, but their chances of becoming the second seed are much improved.
Full breakdown of Eastern Conference Playoffs seeding scenarios ⬇️https://t.co/mSTCgOacLg pic.twitter.com/sT1VmoQvn5
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 10, 2022
If the Celtics beat out the Bucks for the second seed, they will likely face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. The Nets have to defeat the Indiana Pacers, one of the NBA's weakest teams, to take the top spot in the play-in tournament and would host the seven-eight matchup. Winning that game would then make them the seventh seed and put them in a rematch of last year's first-round matchup.
Meanwhile, if the Bucks become the third seed, they would face the Chicago Bulls, who are locked into the sixth seed. The NBA's reigning champs deciding to rest their players today is likely just for rest purposes. It does, though, give them the chance to land an easier matchup in the first round.
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