Eastern Conference's top six, play-in tournament locked for 2024

It came down to a blown DeMar DeRozan overtime buzzer beater attempt, but the Knicks finally clinched the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed in a nationally broadcast ESPN clash this afternoon.

Earlier in the day, several other East playoff and play-in clubs wrapped up their 2023-24 regular seasons, thus cementing the conference’s top 10 heading into the postseason. Remarkably, three teams sport identical 47-35 records.

Obviously the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds will be determined by the play-in tournament, which will tip off midweek. That will thus dictate the 1-8 and 2-7 matchups of the first round.

Here is the finalized order of the Eastern Conference’s top 10 for the 2024 postseason:

1. Boston Celtics (64-18)
2. New York Knicks (50-32)
3. Milwaukee Bucks (49-33)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34)
5. Orlando Magic (47-35)
6. Indiana Pacers (47-35)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)
8. Miami Heat (46-36)
9. Chicago Bulls (39-43)
10. Atlanta Hawks (36-46)

Two matchups are now locked-in. The No. 3-seeded Bucks will square off against the No. 6-seeded Pacers. Indiana owns a 4-1 season record against Milwaukee (they faced off during a round of this year’s inaugural In-Season Tournament). The No. 4-seeded Cavaliers will play the No. 5-seeded Orlando Magic. Those two teams have split their season series, 2-2.

Per the NBA, here is the breakdown of this year’s Eastern Conference play-in tournament, slated for this Wednesday, April 17:

• No. 7 Philadelphia will host No. 8 Miami at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. The victor will advance advances as the No. 7 seed to play the Knicks, who will be without All-Star power forward Julius Randle for the duration of the playoffs.
• No. 9 Chicago will host No. 10 Atlanta at 8:30 p.m. PT. The winner will advance to play whichever team loses the 7-8 matchup
• Loser of the Sixers-Heat matchup plays the winner of Bulls/Hawks on Friday, April 19 – the winner advances as the No. 8 seed to face the Celtics.

The first round of the playoffs will officially tip off on Saturday, April 20.