The NBA In-Season Tournament group stages are about to reach their conclusion, with each group in both conferences in the final stages.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may not have clinched the top spot in their group East B, but they still have a shot if they end up winning their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
After all, apart from the winners of groups A, B, and C from each conference, two wild card teams will advance to the knockout stages.
Well, the Cavaliers received a blessing in the form of Jimmy Butler being ruled out of the Miami Heat’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, as revealed via Evan Dammarell on Twitter.
A huge break for the #Cavs trying to clinch the Wild Card in the In-Season Tournament. https://t.co/JNGHeKSCLH
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) November 28, 2023
Considering the only scenario where the Cavaliers do not need to look at the point differential features the Heat losing against the Bucks, the Cavs must be happy that Butler is sidelined.
But that’s not the end of it.
After all, apart from the Heat, the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets also need to win their respective NBA In-Season Tournament games for the Cavaliers to advance to the knockout stages.
Otherwise, the fate of the Cavaliers will be on points differential.
As of now, the Cavaliers have a PD of +6, but the Knicks are currently +16.
Moreover, the Brooklyn Nets also flaunt a +7 PD right now.
So, unless the Cavaliers register a huge win against the Hawks and surpass other teams, they will hope for the earlier-mentioned scenario.
Will the Cavs miraculously advance to the knockout stages? Only time will tell.
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