CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers now know all four teams they could meet in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The possibilities crystalized Saturday when the Eastern Conference’s Play-In Tournament field was finalized.
Although the seeding remains fluid with a week left in the regular season, the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are locked in as Play-In Tournament participants. The Play-In Tournament is scheduled to run April 15-18, and it will determine which of the four aforementioned teams the Cavs will meet in Round 1.
The Hawks’ 121-105 loss Saturday evening to the New York Knicks ensured Atlanta will be a Play-In Tournament team.
What is Cavs’ magic number to clinch No. 1 seed in East?
The Cavs’ magic number to clinch the No. 1 playoff seed in the East is one, meaning they could secure the top spot as soon as Sunday night with a home win over the Sacramento Kings or a Boston Celtics loss to the Washington Wizards.
Regardless, the Cavs are a virtual lock to become the No. 1 seed, and they are certain to be either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. They will definitely face a Play-In Tournament team to begin the postseason because the tourney determines the Nos. 7 and 8 playoff seeds.
NBA Play-In Tournament bracket, schedule
Here are brief breakdowns of the four Play-In Tournament teams the Cavs (62-15) could face in Round 1:
- Head-to-head record in 2024-25: Cavs 2-1
- Overview: A Cavs-Magic matchup would provide a hot storyline because it would be a rematch from last year’s first-round playoff series in which Cleveland prevailed in seven games. The Magic (38-40) are led by forwards Paolo Banchero (26 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists) and Franz Wagner (24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists). What makes the Magic less threatening than last season is guard Jalen Suggs (16.2 points) and center Moritz Wagner (12.9 points) are out with season-ending injuries. The Magic are ranked 27th among the NBA’s 30 teams in offensive rating (108.7) but third in defensive rating (109.2). The Cavs (121.5) are first in offensive rating and eighth in defensive rating (111.8).
Cleveland Cavs vs. Atlanta Hawks scouting report
- Head-to-head record in 2024-25: Cavs 1-2
- Overview: Cavs versus Hawks (36-41) would be another fascinating playoff matchup because the two teams combined to execute a blockbuster deal Feb. 6 just before the NBA trade deadline expired. The Cavs sent guard Caris LeVert, forward Georges Niang, three second-round draft choices and two pick swaps to the Hawks in exchange for wing De’Andre Hunter. With the Hawks, Hunter was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. With the Cavs, he has lived up to the hype, averaging 14 points on 48.9% shooting from the field (43.7 on 3-pointers) and four rebounds in 24 games. Entering Saturday, LeVert and Niang were averaging 14.5 points and 12.3 points, respectively, with the Hawks. All three Cavs-Hawks games this season happened before the big trade. The Hawks headed into the weekend ranked 19th in offensive rating (113.1) and tied for 18th in defensive rating (114.7). Guard Trae Young (24.1 points, 11.6 assists entering Saturday) is Atlanta’s top player. Forward Jalen Johnson (18.9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) is out for the season due to injury.
- Head-to-head record in 2024-25: Cavs 3-0, with one matchup left Tuesday in Cleveland
- Overview: Guard Coby White (20.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists) and center Nikola Vučević (18.7 points, 10 rebounds, 3.4 assists) lead the Bulls (36-40) after they traded guard Zach LaVine (22.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists) to the Kings this season. The Bulls are 20th in offensive rating (113) and 24th in defensive rating (115.4).
Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat scouting report
- Head-to-head record in 2024-25: Cavs 2-1
- Overview: Jimmy Butler’s divorce from the Heat (35-42 entering Saturday) and trade this season to the Golden State Warriors means the Cavs would not need to worry about “Playoff Jimmy,” but the Heat still have an elite coach in Erik Spoelstra. Guard Tyler Herro (23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists entering Saturday), wing Andrew Wiggins (19.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists) and center Bam Adebayo (17.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists) are Miami’s headliners. Wiggins (hamstring) and former Cavs star Kevin Love (personal reasons) have recently missed time. The Heat went into the weekend 21st in offensive rating (112) and 10th in defensive rating (112.1).
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
