Miami Heat will play their final game of the regular season against the Washington Wizards, but even if they win, they might not qualify for the postseason. In order for Miami to make the playoffs, they will need a loss by either the Chicago Bulls or the Indiana Pacers on the final night. Both the Bulls and the Pacers will be playing at home on the final night of the season, as they will host the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks respectively.
Considering how the things played out Tuesday night in the NBA, it is unlikely that either Chicago or Indiana will lose their final game.
Brooklyn Nets will play without six players
Chicago Bulls are one of the three teams in the eastern conference that hasn't secured a playoff spot yet, and they have the easiest opponent in their final game. The Bulls will not only play against the worst team in the NBA, Brooklyn Nets, but they will face the weakened team as the Nets will play without six of their players. Brook Lopez, who is the best player on the Nets, will take a night off, and the Bulls will have an easy way to the playoffs.
Just a few days ago, the Nets defeated Chicago in a close game. However, considering they will not have their key players in the next game, it is very unlikely that Brooklyn will lose the game, and possibly get blown out.
Brooklyn Nets have been the worst team in the NBA for the entire season and they are dead-last in the standings, with only 20 wins in 81 games. It is surprising that they decided to rest their best players since they haven't done it before, and they will have a long rest after the regular season. Beside Brook Lopez, the Nets will rest Jeremy Lin and Trevor Booker.
Quincy Acy, Joe Harris, and Sean Kilpatrick are also ruled out for the game, due to injury problems.
Injury Report for tom. at Chicago: Booker (rest), Lin (rest), Lopez (rest), Acy (ankle), Harris (shoulder) & Kilpatrick (hamstring) are out.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 11, 2017
Atlanta Hawks might rest their players
With a win over the Charlotte Hornets, the Atlanta Hawks secure the fifth seed in the conference and their last game of the season will not be important.
Whether they defeat the Indiana Pacers or lose to them, the Hawks will not move up nor down in the standings. Since there is nothing to gain and nothing to lose in this game, the Hawks are expected to rest their best players and let their bench finish the season. Even if the Hawks do not give rest to any of their players, playing on the second night of a back-to-back will be tough enough.
Just like the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers will have an easy game to conclude the season with, and they will most likely win it. This leaves the Miami Heat in a tough position and their chances of making the playoffs are very low right now. However, the Heat are always down for the challenge and they will give their best to do what's in their power. Even though it is unlikely, things might go their way and they could finish the season as one of the eight best teams in the East.
