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As a rule, human beings are obstinately resistant to alter. People as soon as refused to enter elevators with no human operator. A 1995 story in Newsweek decried the advantages of the rising web, characterizing it as merely a fad. Despite its persistently confirmed life-saving effectiveness, one in 10 individuals nonetheless do not put on a seatbelt within the entrance seat.
The similar is true with the NBA Play-In Tournament, which started throughout the 2020 pandemic bubble and has continued yearly since. If you will recall, Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James stated in 2021 that whoever got here up with the play-in event “must be fired.” Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic echoed James’ sentiment, saying “I do not see the purpose of that.”
Ironically sufficient, James now finds himself combating for the Lakers’ playoff lives within the play-in, whereas Doncic’s Mavericks determined to quit on the season quite than strive for the No. 10 spot.
It seems the play-in is right here to remain, so it is value a refresher on how the entire thing works. Below you’ll discover the format, schedule, matchups and viewing info, with the common season within the rearview mirror.
NBA Play-In Tournament format
There are eight whole groups concerned within the NBA’s Play-In Tournament — seeds Nos. 7-10 from every convention. The No. 7 groups will hosted the No. 8 groups on April 11, with the winners having earned the No. 7 seed within the playoff discipline. No. 9 groups performed No. 10 groups on April 12, with the loser having been eradicated from playoff rivalry. On Friday, the losers of the 7-8 video games will play the winners of the 9-10 video games, with the victors incomes the No. 8 seed within the playoffs. In each matchup, the upper seed is the house workforce. The Eastern Conference video games are the odd numbers video games and the Western Conference video games are the even numbered video games. Slightly complicated, however it is sensible if you have a look at it:
Games 1 and a pair of: No. 8 at No. 7 (winner earns No. 7 seed)Games 3 and 4: No. 10 at No. 9 (loser eradicated, winner advances to play loser of Game 1)Games 5 and 6: Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1 (loser eradicated, winner earns No. 8 seed)
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
All six video games of the play-in event will likely be televised on TNT and ESPN. Here are outcomes and broadcast schedule.
Tuesday, April 11
Game 1: No. 8 Hawks 116, No. 7 Heat 105Game 2: No. 7 Lakers 108, No. 8 Timberwolves 102 (OT)
Wednesday, April 12
Game 3: No. 10 Bulls 109, No. 9 Raptors 105Game 4: No. 10 Thunder 123, No. 9 Pelicans 118
Friday, April 14
Game 5: No. 10 Bulls at No. 7 Heat, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)Game 6: No. 10 Thunder at No. 8 Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
