76ers clinch No. 7 seed
The NBA play‑in picture narrowed this week when the Philadelphia 76ers secured the East’s No. 7 seed while Golden State beat the Clippers to keep their season alive. Golden State now draws the Phoenix Suns on Friday for the Western Conference’s No. 8 slot, with the Portland Trail Blazers already holding the West No. 7 berth. (usatoday.com) (espn.com)
Philadelphia locked up the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed on Wednesday night, beating Orlando 109-97 in the play-in tournament. (apnews.com) Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, and rookie V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Orlando got 34 points from Desmond Bane but fell into the East’s final play-in game instead. (apnews.com) The win sends Philadelphia into a first-round series against Boston, with Game 1 set for Sunday, April 19, at 1 p.m. Eastern on American Broadcasting Company. The National Basketball Association’s official playoff schedule lists the 76ers as the East’s No. 7 team and Boston as the No. 2 seed. (nba.com) The play-in format gives the teams that finish seventh through 10th in each conference a short path into the bracket. The No. 7 and No. 8 teams meet for one playoff spot, while the loser gets one more chance against the winner of the No. 9-No. 10 game. (nba.com) That is why Philadelphia is done with the play-in after one win, while Orlando still has a home game left on Friday, April 17, against Charlotte for the East’s No. 8 seed. ESPN’s schedule lists Magic-Hornets for 4:30 p.m. Pacific, 7:30 p.m. Eastern, on Prime Video. (espn.com) The Western Conference side is still moving too. Portland grabbed the West’s No. 7 seed on Tuesday, April 14, by beating Phoenix 114-110, and Golden State stayed alive Wednesday with a 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. (nba.com; apnews.com) Stephen Curry scored 35 points against the Clippers, including 27 in the second half, and Al Horford made four 3-pointers in Golden State’s comeback. The Warriors now travel to Phoenix for Friday’s winner-take-the-last-spot game. (apnews.com; nba.com) Philadelphia reached this point without Joel Embiid on the floor. Associated Press reported that the 76ers beat Orlando while “weathering the absence” of Embiid, and the official bracket now gives them Boston instead of another elimination game. (apnews.com; nba.com) By Friday night, the play-in field will be finished. Philadelphia already has its place; Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix and Golden State are still playing for the last two lines on the bracket. (nba.com)
