The NBA regular season has come to a close, and the playoff picture is set. With the Play-In Tournament and the first round of the playoffs on the horizon, let's take a look at the winners and losers of the final day of the season.
Winners
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been on a roll lately, winning nine of their last ten games. They've secured the No. 7 seed and will face the banged-up Lakers in the first round. The Lakers are without Austin Reaves and likely Luka Dončić, which is a significant advantage for the Rockets. The team's recent turnaround and the favorable matchup against the Lakers make them a clear winner in this scenario.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers secured the No. 8 seed with a win over the Kings on Sunday. While this may not be a high-profile achievement, it's crucial for a team building through a young core to get some playoff experience. The Blazers now have two chances to win one game and get into the playoffs, which is a better position than being forced to win two straight play-in games.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks' coaching change is a positive step forward. Doc Rivers' departure and the potential arrival of a new coach could bring a fresh perspective and help the team turn things around. Giannis Antetokounmpo's thinly veiled shots at Rivers and his admiration for Joe Mazzulla's approach indicate a desire for change. This move is a step in the right direction for the Bucks' future.
Losers
New York Knicks
The Knicks would have preferred to face the Raptors in the first round, but they'll have to take on the Hawks instead. The Hawks, despite losing to Miami on Sunday, are a strong team with a high-scoring offense. The Knicks' 3-point defense has been a weakness, and the Hawks' ability to make 15 3-pointers per game will be a significant challenge. While the Knicks are expected to win, it won't be an easy series.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs' decision to sit Victor Wembanyama in the season finale backfired. They lost to the Nuggets, which could have cost them a better playoff position. By not playing Wemby, the Spurs now face a challenging path to the Finals, potentially having to defeat both the Nuggets and OKC in consecutive rounds.
Orlando Magic
The Magic's season has been a struggle, and they missed out on a guaranteed playoff spot. They needed a win over the Celtics and a loss by the Raptors to secure the No. 7 seed. While they won against the Celtics, the Raptors' victory meant the Magic fell to No. 8. Now, they face a tough road to the playoffs, starting with a game against the 76ers on the road.
In summary, the final day of the NBA regular season has set the stage for an exciting playoff tournament. The winners have secured favorable matchups and playoff experience, while the losers face challenging paths to the Finals. The playoff bracket is now set, and the excitement is building for the upcoming games.
