Fight for last playoff ticket

After almost five months of a Corona break, the NBA is getting back on track. In the West, the fight for the last playoff ticket is on. SPORT1 gives an overview.

For more than four months the ball rested in the NBA – but that’s over since a few days.

Since 30 July, the league has continued its season. The season, which was interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, is to be ended at Disney World (Orlando/Florida).

22 of the 30 NBA teams are present at the restart and are spread over three quarantine hotels on the grounds of the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The games will be played in three different halls.

Regular tests in Orlando
The safety precautions are of the highest standard. Upon arrival in Orlando, the players had to stay in isolation in their hotel room until two negative tests were received. The professionals are also tested regularly thereafter.

The NBA has invested heavily in the infrastructure, with state-of-the-art wristbands monitoring the safe distance to other people in the hotel.

To distract the players, there are billiard tables, table tennis tables and game consoles available. It is also possible to leave the bubble in an emergency. On return, however, there is the threat of renewed quarantine.

In general, the event is controversial in the state of Florida, which was hit hard by the coronavirus, because of the high number of cases. Some players therefore refused to participate.

All teams complete eight games before the playoffs (until 14 August).

The seven best teams from each of the Western and Eastern Conferences are sure to reach the championship round. If the eighth and ninth in the table are separated by a maximum of four wins, both teams will play again for the remaining place in the playoffs. The decision has already been made in the east. The Orlando Magic are the eighth playoff team.

Fight for eighth place in the west
In the west, on the other hand, the battle for the last playoff ticket is still really exciting.

It is already certain that there will be a play-in tournament. But it is still unclear which duel will take place.

The Portland Trail Blazers have the best starting position, having moved up to eighth place by beating the Dallas Mavericks. The franchise’s current top player is Damian Lillard, who not only impressed against the Mavs with an incredible 61 points, but also scored a total of 169 points in the five matches before.

Should Portland also win the next game or lose Memphis, Phoenix and San Antonio, the team would defend eighth place. The Memphis Grizzlies, on the other hand, must hope for a slip-up from the competition and even win the last match against co-favorite Milwaukee Bucks.

The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs also still have a chance at the play-in tournament, but are also dependent on support.

In the postseason it will be business as usual. In the traditional format, 16 teams play for the finals. Four wins in a series are necessary to advance. The final series starts on September 30th as planned and could last until October 13th.

Final Lakers versus Bucks?
As before the Corona break, many experts are speculating on a final Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. The top favourite Lakers around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis would then meet the current MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In the West, the Los Angeles Clippers with Kawhi Leonard, currently the best basketball player in the world, remains a hot contender for many. In the Eastern Conference, defending champions Toronto Raptors and record-holding champions Boston Celtics with international player Daniel Theis are also getting their hopes up.