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Knicks Playoff Picture: Which teams could New York face in first round?

By Jordanna Clark

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 05: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks reacts with RJ Barrett #9 after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on March 05, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 05: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks reacts with RJ Barrett #9 after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden on March 05, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks’ hot winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night against the Hornets in what was the perfect trap game. New York is still the No. 5 team in the East with a 39-28 record, two games back from Cleveland in No. 4.

If the Knicks can remain in the top six of the conference, the team will earn an automatic playoff berth without having to earn a spot via the play-in tournament.

With there being a little over a month left until the regular season ends and playoffs begin, New York is in a good spot.

New York Knicks playoff picture: Current NBA bracket

Eastern Conference

  • No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks (47-18) vs. No. 8 play-in seed
  • No. 2 Boston Celtics (45-21) vs. No. 7 play-in seed
  • No. 3 Philadelphia Sixers (43-22) vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (37-28)
  • No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (41-26) vs. No. 5 New York Knicks (39-28)

Eastern Conference Play-In Race

  • No. 7 Miami Heat (35-31)
  • No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (32-33)
  • No. 9 Toronto Raptors (32-34)
  • No. 10 Washington Wizards (31-34)
  • No. 11 Chicago Bulls (29-36, 2 games back from No. 10)
  • No. 12 Indiana Pacers (29-37, 2.5 games back from No. 10)
  • No. 13 Orlando Magic (27-39, 4.5 games back from No. 10)
  • No. 14 Charlotte Hornets (21-46, 11 games back from No. 10)
  • No. 15 Detroit Pistons (15-51, 16.5 games back from No. 10)

If the playoffs started today, the Bucks would play the Hawks in the first round and the Celtics would play the Heat.

Western Conference

  • No. 1 Denver Nuggets (46-19) vs. No. 8 play-in seed
  • No. 2 Sacramento Kings (38-26) vs. No. 7 play-in seed
  • No. 3 Memphis Grizzlies (38-26) vs. No. 6 Golden State Warriors (34-32)
  • No. 4 Phoenix Suns (36-29) vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks (34-32)

Western Conference Play-In Race

  • No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves (34-33)
  • No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers (34-33)
  • No. 9 Los Angeles Lakers (32-34)
  • No. 10 New Orleans Pelicans (31-34)
  • No. 11 Oklahoma City Thunder (31-34)
  • No. 12 Portland Trail Blazers (31-34)
  • No. 13 Utah Jazz (31-35, half a game back from No. 10)
  • No. 14 San Antonio Spurs (16-49, 15 games back from No. 10)
  • No. 15 Houston Rockets (15-50, 16 games back from No. 10)

If the playoffs started today, the Nuggets would play the Clippers in the first round and the Kings would play the Timberwolves.

The play-in race in the West is much tighter than it is in the East with the Timberwolves/Clippers having the same record and the Pelicans/Thunder/Trail Blazers having the same record.

Assuming that Brooklyn will stay at No. 6 or lower, Knicks fans should keep their fingers crossed that New York will be able to surpass Cleveland in the standings. Homecourt advantage would be huge for the Knicks in what has already been deemed ‘The Donovan Mitchell Bowl’ by ESPN’s Zach Lowe. New York will play Cleveland one more time during the regular season on Mar. 31 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

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