NBA Announces Plan to Resume 2020 Season

The Detroit Pistons will not be playing another game this season. The Pistons, as well as seven other teams (Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Golden State, Minnesota and New York) will not be playing any more games in the 2019-20 season, per the NBA's plan to reinstate basketball this season. 22 teams will travel to Orlando to play eight games that finish the regular season, before the playoffs begin.

According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the following 22 teams will be continuing their season starting on July 31. The NBA Finals would conclude as late as October 12, depending on the length of the Finals.

The NBA's return plan includes 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams.

Here's who's in, according to @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/8s0qYYgLtt

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 3, 2020

These teams will play eight regular season games to conclude action and determine seeding. According to Woj, the final seed in each conference could be determined by a play-in game. If the 9th place team is within four games of the 8th place team at the conclusion of the eight game regular season, then there will be a play-off for those spots. The ninth place team would need to win two games, while the eighth place team would need to win just one. If the 8th place team maintains a lead of more than four games, then the 8th place team earns the slot automatically. After this, the playoffs will return to the traditional seven-game series formats.

The play-in format requires a double-elimination format for the 8th seed, a single-elimination for the 9th seed, per sources.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020

In the Eastern Conference, the standings are as follows:

1. Milwaukee 53-12 **clinched playoff spot**

2. Toronto 46-18 **clinched playoff spot**

3. Boston 43-21 **clinched playoff spot**

4. Miami 41-24 **clinched playoff spot**

5. Indiana 39-26 **clinched playoff spot**

6. Philadelphia 39-26 **clinched playoff spot**

7. Brooklyn 30-34

8. Orlando 30-35

9. Washington 24-40

The Bucks have a magic number of 2 to clinch the Eastern Conference's #1 seed. The 2-6 seeded teams are guaranteed to be in the playoffs, while the Wizards have quite the uphill battle to reach the playoffs. They are currently six games back of Brooklyn and Orlando with eight games to play, meaning that they would need to make up two games during the final eight to force a play-in contest. It's unlikely that the Wizards will get into the playoffs without the play-in, but it appears that the play-in series has a solid probability of happening in the East.

In the Western Conference, the standings are as follows:

1. LA Lakers 49-14 **clinched playoff spot**

2. LA Clippers 44-20 **clinched playoff spot**

3. Denver 43-22 **clinched playoff spot**

4. Utah 41-23 **clinched playoff spot**

5. Oklahoma City 40-24 **clinched playoff spot**

6. Houston 40-24 **clinched playoff spot**

7. Dallas 40-27 

8. Memphis 32-33

9. Portland 29-37

10. New Orleans 28-36

11. Sacramento 28-36

12. San Antonio 27-36

13. Phoenix 26-39

The West is so much more exciting, per usual. The Lakers hold a five game lead with eight games to play, so it's safe to assume that LeBron and company will hold the top position. Who they face however, will be extremely entertaining. There are six possible options for the Lakers to face in the #8 seed, all separated by just six games. Currently, we are already in a position that there would be a play-in game in the West, as Portland is just three games behind Memphis. The real race will be for that ninth spot, as Portland holds a game lead over New Orleans and Sacramento, with San Antonio and Phoenix within three games. This should be an epic finish to the Western Conference season.

Two impressive playoff streaks are still alive as a result of this playoff format. First, the Spurs 22-year playoff streak is on the line this offseason. They are tied for the longest streak in NBA history, and this could be extended if the Spurs are able to either overtake the Grizzlies, or get within four games of Memphis and force the play-in. 

A second notable playoff streak still has a glimpse of hope, as JJ Redick's 13 year, career long playoff streak is up in the air. He holds the record amongst active players, which has been extremely impressive considering he has done it as a part of four different teams. Redick is looking to join an impressive list of players that started their career with a 14-year playoff streak (Cliff Robinson, Clyde Drexel, Dolph Schayes, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Robert Horry, Scottie Pippen and Tony Parker). 

On the flip side, the Kings are trying to snap a 13-year playoff drought, which is the second longest in league history.

It appears that there are still some final details to be determined in this playoff format, but these should be resolved shorty. These include possible "home court" advantages for higher seeds, and roster size (including the availability of two-way players).

With homecourt advantage out the window in an NBA bubble, some contenders are angling for an alternative leg-up, sources tell ESPN. Extra possessions, extra coaches challenges and even first dibs at picking a team hotel on site are being discussed https://t.co/26G5Iwo0rt

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 3, 2020

 Roster Size and the Availability of Two-Way Players

I'm told by multiple NBA teams that roster sizes are still up for discussion. Most teams would like Two-Way players be made eligible for the playoffs at a minimum. Many others would like to add 1-3 additional players to the roster, along with Two-Ways. Remains a discussion point.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 3, 2020

 

These final issues should be resolved in the official announcement that is expected upon the ratification of the plan on Thursday. It appears that the NBA is back and ready to go in just over a month.