After a deflating 101-99 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, the New York Knicks find themselves in a three-way tie for the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference with the Heat and the Hawks and three games to go. Because of tie-breaker procedures, the Knicks would end up with the No. 6 seed in the East at present time which would have them setup for a date with the Milwaukee Bucks. But fear not, New York fans, there's a relatively realistic path for the Knicks to end up with a home-court advantage in round one that will come to the light.
The Knicks final three games are all at home against the Spurs, Hornets and Celtics. Yes, all three look ticketed for the postseason (albeit the play-in tournament) but they aren't exactly the four game stretch of the Nuggets, Suns, Clippers and Lakers that the Knicks are coming off of playing. At worst, the Knicks should go 2-1. At best and very possibly, they go 3-0.
Miami's schedule is not for the faint of heart the rest of the way. The Heat will host the 76ers, play at Milwaukee against the Bucks before a perceived “layup” game on the road against the Pistons. Assuming Philadelphia and Milwaukee aren't taking those nights off as playoff seeding atop the East is still in flux, it's likely Miami slips up at least once against either the 76ers or Milwaukee.
Atlanta has a cupcake walk to the finish line. They host the Wizards (without Bradley Beal), Magic and Rockets the rest of the way. Two of those teams are in full blown tank mode and the other is a play-in team without one of it's superstars. The best chance for the Hawks to slip up is against the Wizards.
Let's assume the worst and say the Hawks go 3-0. Let's assume the realistic nature of the Heat schedule and say they drop one to either the 76ers or the Bucks. In such a scenario, if the Knicks handle their business at home against the Spurs, Hornets and Celtics, they would be the 4-seed as they have the regular season tiebreaker over the Hawks after sweeping them 3-0. Miami would finish one game back in this case and end up with the 6-seed.
One Miami loss in the last three and the Knicks take care of business agains three play-in teams and you can book the Knicks for the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference.
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