The NBA Play-In Tournament starts today! But what’s that?
It’s pretty much the first round in the Playoffs for the 2020-21 season. Instead of the traditional playoff structure of the top eight teams qualifying, there is a chance for more teams to qualify.
For this season only, the NBA governing body ruled to include a new format with 72 games instead of the regular 82. Also, it was decided that the teams that finished seventh to tenth place will compete in a four-team mini-tournament to determine the final two playoff spots.
So, how does it work?
There will be two match-ups, No.7 vs. No.8 and No.9 vs. No.10; The winner of the No.7 vs. No.8 will face the No.2 seed. The loser will face the winner of the No.9 vs. No.10 match. The winner of that game will face the No.1 seed.
So what are the match-ups?
Eastern Conference
- No.7 Celtics host No.8 Wizards
- No.9 Pacers host No.10 Hornets
Western Conference
- No.7 Lakers host No.8 Warriors
- No.9 Grizzlies host No.10 Spurs
The games will start today, with the Pacers and Hornets at 6:30 ET. Later tonight, the Celtics and Wizards will meet. The Western Conference games are tomorrow. The match-up between the second and third most expensive NBA teams is expected to be interesting.
The Eastern final match will be on Thursday, and the Western one will be on Friday.
Once the Play-In tournament concludes, the Playoffs will start on Saturday (May 22) in the traditional eight teams per conference format. If you’re one of the 150 million people that watch live sports, make sure you tune in to NBA Playoffs.
