New York Knicks: How likely are the 4/5 seeds for the NBA playoffs?
By Adam Kester
NBA Playoffs: What are the oddsmakers saying about the New York Knicks’ chances to secure the 4th or 5th seed?
First, let’s take a look at the Knicks’ upcoming schedule. To close out the regular season, they’ll play the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles, Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, and the Boston Celtics. Four good West Coast teams and two East teams who are right behind them in the standings. Every game is important.
The Action Network, which is one of the leading sports forecasting websites, updated their playoff odds earlier today. They gave the New York Knicks a 50.5% chance of finishing as the 4th seed, a 28.1% chance to be the 5th seed, a 15.8% chance to be the 6th seed, and a 5.3% chance to be 7th.
The odds to finish either 4th or 5th is 78.6% – that’s pretty reassuring to hear if you ask me.
Looking at some of the upcoming opponents, the Knicks lost a close game to the Suns just last week. Unfortunately, they may be without Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks this time.
The Los Angeles Clippers have won two straight and beat the Knicks earlier in the season. The Lakers will likely have LeBron James back for when they play New York next week. The Spurs have fallen off and New York can absolutely not afford to lose that game.
The standings could be even tighter for when the team has to face the Hornets and Celtics to close out the regular season. Both of those games could very well be a playoff series preview.
Although the Knicks came out flat against Denver earlier in the week, they’ve typically been able to play up to their competition. For the most part, they can control their own destiny. Being realistic, a 3-3 record to end the season would not be a disappointment and would most likely secure them a spot as either the 4th or 5th seed.
What about their conference rivals? What does their remaining schedule look like?