Pacers clinch, Bulls eliminated from playoff contention
For the first time since 2008, playoff basketball will not be played in the Windy City.
The Indiana Pacers clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with their 129-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, simultaneously eliminating the Chicago Bulls from playoff contention.
| Rank | Team | W-L | GB | GR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cavaliers | 56-24 | -- | 2 |
| 2 | Raptors | 54-26 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Hawks | 48-32 | 8 | 2 |
| 4 | Celtics | 47-33 | 9 | 2 |
| 5 | Heat | 47-33 | 9 | 2 |
| 6 | Hornets | 46-34 | 10 | 2 |
| 7 | Pacers | 43-37 | 13 | 2 |
| 8 | Pistons | 43-37 | 13 | 2 |
Bulls rookie head coach Fred Hoiberg acknowledged earlier in the weekend that his team would need a miracle in order to sneak into the final spot. Chicago temporarily staved off elimination with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday but needed the Pacers to drop their final three games to have a shot.
While the Bulls were eliminated, the Pacers return to the playoffs for the first time since losing in the Eastern Conference finals in 2013-14. It's the fourth time in five seasons head coach Frank Vogel has led Indiana to a playoff spot.
Indiana can finish as high as seventh, and wraps up its season against the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.