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NY Post
New York Post
4 Apr 2023


NextImg:What Knicks must do to avoid complicated playoff tiebreaker with Nets

After clinching a spot in the playoffs Sunday night, the Knicks now turn their eyes towards their next endeavor.

And it could dictate their chances of making any sort of run in the postseason.

The Knicks’ are on the cusp of securing the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, but it’s not as simple as it may appear in the standings.

Currently 2 ½ games above the Nets — who hold the No. 6 seed — with three regular-season games left to play, the Knicks’ magic number to clinch the No. 5 seed is just one.

That would usually mean either a Knicks win or a Nets loss, but the tiebreaker between the two teams is a bit more complicated.

Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley reacts on the court during the second half against the Wizards.
Noah K. Murray-NY Post

The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record, and the Knicks and Nets split their four regular-season games this season.

The second tiebreaker is division record, in which the Knicks own an 8-8 record without any left to play.

The Nets have a 7-8 record and face the 76ers on Sunday, so they have a chance to draw even on that mark as well.

The third tiebreaker is conference record, in which the Knicks have a 31-19 record and have two left to play.

The Nets own a 28-21 conference record and still have three remaining.

So again, it’s possible the Nets can match the Knicks’ mark.

That means Brooklyn’s game against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night does not factor into the tiebreaker, as it’s neither a division or conference game.

Rather, the Knicks’ magic number of one means a win or a Nets loss to the Pistons, Magic or 76ers.

If they secure the No. 5 seed, the Knicks would likely face the Cavaliers in the first round.

Most believe there is a sizable gap between the top three teams in the conference (the Bucks, Celtics and 76ers) and the rest of the East.

Securing the No. 5 seed is pivotal for the Knicks’ chances to win a playoff series.

“I think their best chance would be to play against Cleveland in the first round,” former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, who is currently ESPN’s top color commentator, recently told The Post. “They’d still be a big underdog there, but I think they’d have a puncher’s chance. The top three seeds in the Eastern Conference are the best teams in the NBA. And it would be hard-pressed to find a pathway to beating those three teams in a series.”

Jalen Brunson is one of six finalists for the NBA Sportsmanship Award, the league announced on Monday.

Josh Hart will be playing in the playoffs for the first time in his six-year career.

Hart’s 369 games played without a playoff appearance is fourth-highest among active players.