NBA Standings 2020: Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards Vying For East Playoff Spots

Unlike the Western Conference, which will send seven teams still vying for a playoff berth to the NBA’s Disney “bubble,” the Eastern Conference is set to only have three teams in Orlando, Florida that haven’t clinched a postseason berth. The Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards are each scheduled to play eight games when the 2019-2020 season resumes, and two of them will round out the East playoff picture.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers have earned the top-six seeds. Brooklyn is the No.7 seed with a half-game lead over the Orlando Magic. Orlando is 5.5 games ahead of Washington.

The six teams at the bottom of the East standings have been eliminated from contention and are done for the season.

Because of a possible “play-in tournament,” the Wizards at least have a chance to make the playoffs. If Washington finishes fewer than four games behind Brooklyn or Orlando, the Wizards and the No.8 seed will meet in a best-of-two series. The No.8 seed needs one victory to clinch a playoff berth in that scenario, while the No.9 seed gets into the postseason with two straight wins.

FanDuel Sportsbook gives Washington +1400 odds to catch Orlando or Brooklyn and get the No.8 seed. The Magic are favored to keep the No.8 seed with -125 odds. The Nets have +105 odds to finish as the No.8 seeds.

Brooklyn and Orlando are both overwhelming favorites to make the playoffs at -3000. The odds of the Nets missing the playoffs are +1200. The Magic are given +1300 odds to miss the postseason.

Washington is a +1400 long shot to make the playoffs. Their odds of missing the postseason are -3500.

Even before Kyrie Irving expressed concerns about restarting the NBA season because of social justice reform efforts, Brooklyn’s point guard wasn’t expected to play because of a shoulder injury. Kevin Durant has also ruled himself out for the season as he continues to recover from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Neither the Nets nor Magic will be considered a threat to make a deep playoff run if they reach the postseason. Both teams have worse than 150/1 championship odds.