NBA matchups if league resumes season
♦ Games won’t resume until well beyond the originally scheduled April 15 end of the regular season.
Resuming the NBA season with the start of the playoff is one option for the league. Most teams had about 15 games left to play in the regular-season schedules when play was halted on March 11, and not everyone had played the same amount of games.
But in this unprecedented situation, games won’t resume until well beyond the originally scheduled April 15 end of the regular season. Coaches are preparing for any and all possibilities. If the NBA does decide to resume the season with the playoffs, here is a look at some of those potential matchups:
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) knocks down Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on March 6.
No. 8 Orlando Magic is a candidate
Last season Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the award for a secled the topseeded ond straight season, increasing Bucks all the way his scoring (29.6 points to the Eastern Conference per game), rebounding (13.7 finals and a 2-0 lead over ppg) and 3-point percentage the Raptors. But after losing (30.6%) in the process. four straight and getting Orlando was fighting to eliminated, Antetokounmpo hold onto a playoff spot before vowed to come back stronger the season was paused, this season. The reigning but had won six out of nine MVP has done just that. getting strong performances Milwaukee is again the team by Terrence Ross, Nic Vucevic, to beat in the East. And Antetokounmpo Michael Carter-williams and 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. One positive of the stoppage is that it will give Evan Fournier (sprained elbow) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) extended time to rehab and possibly return.
No. 4 Miami Heat vs. No. 5 Indiana Pacers
The Heat have been one of the NBA’S hottest teams of late. They have the thirdbest home record in the East, largely thanks to the play of All-stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Butler has found resurgence in his first season in Miami, leading the team in scoring averaging 20.2 points per game, to along with 6.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Adebayo has also emerged in his third NBA season, averaging 16.2 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Indiana also was surging, winning 7 out of 10. One beneficiary of the break will be guard Malcolm Brogdon. Indiana’s third-leading scorer (16.3 ppg), he has been out since March 6 with a torn left hip.