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Milwaukee Bucks increase lead in East playoff picture

By Brian Sampson

Mar 7, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) dunks the ball against Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) dunks the ball against Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks had their 16-game win streak snapped on Saturday night, but have quickly resumed their winning ways, taking 18 of their last 19. This run has continued to vault them atop the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

On January 22nd, the Bucks found themselves in a tie for third place in the East and 5.5 games behind the Boston Celtics for first place.  Since then, Milwaukee has gone 18-1, while Boston has gone a pedestrian 10-9.

The Bucks overtook first place on February 27th and have only continued to build their lead, now earning a 2.5-game cushion atop the East.

The Milwaukee Bucks snapped their winning streak this week, but continue to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Milwaukee has a difficult slate of games coming up that will test this newfound positioning. Their next four games are versus the Brooklyn Nets, at the Golden State Warriors, at the Sacramento Kings, and at the Phoenix Suns. The last two games are a back-to-back.

Let’s check in on the rest of the East playoff picture:

  1. Milwaukee Bucks (47-18, – GB)
  2. Boston Celtics (45-21, 2.5 GB)
  3. Philadelphia 76ers (43-22, 4 GB)
  4. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-26,7 GB)
  5. New York Knicks (39-28, 9 GB)
  6. Brooklyn Nets (37-28, 10 GB)
  7. Miami Heat (35-31, 12.5 GB)
  8. Atlanta Hawks (32-33, 15 GB)
  9. Toronto Raptors (32-34, 15.5 GB)
  10. Washington Wizards (31-44, 16 GB)

As a reminder, the NBA uses a play-in tournament to determine the final two seeds in each conference. The 7th and 8th teams play, as does the 9th and 10th. The 7-8 contest winner earns the 7th seed, while the loser plays the winner of the 9-10 game for the last spot in each conference.

That’s particularly noteworthy for the Bucks at this point in time. None of the teams in the 7-10 positioning should scare them one bit. However, the Hawks and Heat might be the teams they want to avoid in that scenario. Miami has better talent than their record suggests. Giannis Antetokounmpo has also had his fair share of struggles against each opponent.

As for tie-breakers atop the East, Milwaukee is currently tied on the season with Boston 1-1 with one final matchup on March 30th. Philadelphia has the edge on Milwaukee 2-1 with one game remaining on April 2nd.

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