The race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference is the NBA’s most tightly contested postseason race as four teams sit within a game and a half of the No. 8 spot. The race isn’t one that likely will have championship implications as each of the four teams are well below the .500 mark, but it is an intriguing one nonetheless.
The Boston Celtics currently hold the eighth spot, but as the month of April gets underway, the final spot may not be decided until the last night of the regular season. The Brooklyn Nets are tied for the final spot while the Indiana Pacers sit just a half game back. The Charlotte Hornets are a game and a half back at 31-42. Here’s a look at which teams hold the edge in certain areas:
Coaching
Edge: Indiana
Though he came onto the hot seat following the Pacers’ conference finals loss to Miami last season, Frank Vogel is the most experienced of the four coaches when it comes to leading his team in the big game on the NBA level. Vogel has coached Indiana to the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons and pushed the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat to seven games two years ago. Vogel is no stranger to coaching with a lot on the line and that could be vital as the regular season winds down.
Talent and Experience
Edge: Brooklyn
With Paul George still out for Indiana, the Brooklyn Nets look to have the most talent of the teams vying for the final playoff spot in the East. Kevin Garnett may be back in Minnesota, but aging guards Joe Johnson and Deron Williams have each played at a high level throughout their careers including in the postseason. Center Brook Lopez is a former All-Star and is complemented in the frontcourt by young, athletic players in Thaddeus Young and Mason Plumlee.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 15: George Hill #3, David West #21 and Roy Hibbert #55 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate in the final minutes of their win over the Washington Wizards during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center on May 15, 2014 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Schedule
Edge: Indiana
Among the four teams vying for the final spot, the Indiana Pacers are the only team whose remaining schedule has a losing record. Indiana’s next six opponents have losing records which could allow the Pacers to grab hold of the final spot. The final nine opponents for the Pacers have a combined .462 winning percentage. The remaining opponents for Brooklyn and Boston each have a .534 winning percentage while Charlotte will face a remaining schedule with a combined .504 winning percentage.
Momentum
Edge: Brooklyn
Among the teams fighting for the final spot in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets are by far the hottest. The Nets have won seven of their last nine games with four victories coming on the road. On March 13th, Brooklyn was 25-38 and three games back of a playoff berth. Brook Lopez has paced the Nets during the streak, averaging over 23 points and nearly nine boards.
Prediction: Brooklyn
While Brooklyn has the toughest remaining schedule of the teams vying for the final spot, the Nets do have seven of their final 10 games at home. The Nets do have a pair of games remaining against likely top-seed Atlanta, but the Hawks could have very little to play for and could be resting starters. Brooklyn also has the weakest opponent on the regular season’s final night as the Nets will host the Orlando Magic while the three other clubs are facing playoff-bound opponents.
