NBA G-League Playoff Picture
The NBA G-League Playoffs start on March 24th, with a brand new format that will be very intriguing to watch. This year will have four rounds and only 12 teams will be allowed in. Also, the first three rounds will be single-elimination games (similar to the NCAA Tournament) and will culminate with the typical best-of-three series in the G-League Finals.
The teams with the best regular season records in their respective divisions will receive the top three seeds in this format. The remaining three spots left will be filled with three teams from each conference with the best records behind the division winners. This format will accentuate the best of what the G-League has to offer and adds an element of excitement for fans.
If the playoffs started today, here are the six teams in the Eastern Conference that would make the cut:
- Westchester Knicks
- Fort Wayne Mad Ants
- Erie Bayhawks
- Raptors 905
- Long Island Nets
- Grand Rapids Drive
Here are the six teams in the Western Conference that would make the cut:
- Austin Spurs
- South Bay Lakers
- Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Reno Bighorns
- Texas Legends
- Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Some scenarios to look out for in terms of the playoff picture being set in stone:
- Raptors 905 will clinch a playoff berth with a win over Greensboro AND a loss by Grand Rapids to Fort Wayne.
- Erie will clinch the Southeast division with a win over Westchester AND a loss by Lakeland to Canton.
- Iowa will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Reno AND a win by Sioux Falls against Memphis.
By Joshua Hamer