Looking at the upcoming games of NY, MIA, ATL:
Miami obviously has the toughest schedule with the Sixers, @ Milwaukee and a gimme in Detroit to end the regular Season. At the moment both the 76ers and Milwaukee can not rest their guys with the Nets still putting a little pressure on the 76ers for the 1 spot and Milwaukee trying to get at number 2.
Atlanta is playing homegames only - vs Washington, Orlando and Houston - all three very winable games with Washington being the only real game there.
NY plays the Spurs on the backend of a back-to-back, then Charlotte and the Celtics. All three (slight exception with the Spurs but the Spurs still are the Spurs so they kinda scare me) tough games!

To get the 5 spot we basically got to win one more game than Miami and assume ATL wins their games.

Rough but doable with Miamis tough schedule ahead!
Possibly even a loss could be "ok" if Miami loses both games against Phily and Milwaukee.

Nalod wrote:

Philc1 wrote:I want no part of the heat in round 1.

Nobody wants the Heat. Every podcast says that 5 times! They fear JImmy, they fear Spolestra, and some little ****er who just comes in and rips the heart out. Herro is playing better also of late.

Personally, I’d love to win a series but just because we sat at the 4 don’t mean thats where we should be. If we in the play in game and advanced that would have been a hoot itself. Hawks at season start had redundant talent and slow start was in part to that and injuries. We play and get taken out by them I’d be disappointed but not “Upset”. Knicks are not entitled to a damn thing. Mecca don’t play on the court.
FO and coaches take their lumps but should feel good about this season no matter what happens. That they put themselves into this opportunity is a testament.

I fully agree! The season - the way it went to this point has been a great success on many Levels.
We established a winning culture, mentality with seasoned, good veterans who teach our youth.
I know guys like Knox and Frank did not play (much of a) role currently and possibly also not in the next years BUT guys have established good habits and we do have a great young core with Quickly, Mitch Rob, RJ.
We have developed our own All Star in Randle and are on a good way to add a second one in RJ.
We have come back to a NY KNICKS style of play! Opponents hate to play us again!!! I LOVE this!!!

Taking all these things into account YES ABSOLUTELY... this season has already been a huge success and a start of a bright future I hope!
Still... Id love to continue this development with a tough first round success against the Hawks and a competitove series against Phily…
This would be a great Playoff experience - learning experience for our youth!

Do I prefer this to a clobbering by the Heat or the Bucks in the first round … yup! Absolutely!
Will I take the Heat or Bucks and just hope for some competitive games if it Comes this way… yup! Absolutely!

I am just EXCITED AS HELL that we are relevant again!!! Cant tell you guys HOW MUCH I enjoy not having to think about a damn draft pick position for once!

Atlanta has learned how to win - AND they're getting more pieces back over time (Deandre Hunter is close to return, Gallo and Collins have been back for a bit).

So yeah, as much as I want us to get the highest seed possible, I'm sort of on the fence whether it's desirable, especially if we match up against the Heat.

Anyway, the magic # to clinch a top 6 spot is down to 1! Let's earn a win and knock Boston down 7th!