CLEVELAND — We have entered the final week of regular season basketball in the 2023-24 NBA season.
With the postseason right around the corner, the future for the Cleveland Cavaliers and their positioning in the NBA Playoffs is a huge question mark.
This week's crucial final three games will determine the Cavaliers' seeding for the playoffs, or whether they will have to play in the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament in order to keep their season alive.
Here's a look at who the team faces this week:
- Memphis Grizzlies: Wednesday, April 10
- Indiana Pacers, Friday, April 12
- Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, April 14
PLAYOFF OR PLAY-IN BOUND?
After being defeated by the Suns, Lakers and Clippers, the Cavs are mired in a three-game losing skid. If they can't turn themselves around this week, Cleveland could potentially knock themselves all the way down to playing in the NBA Play-In Tournament, which features the 7-10 seeds in each conference.
How might that scenario work? The Cavaliers would need to lose out and either the 76ers or Heat would need to win out in order for Cleveland to drop to the Play-In Tournament.
The Play-In Tournament will then determine which teams fill the seventh and eight playoff seeds for each conference for the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Just looking at the Cavaliers schedule for the rest of the season, it may seem like they have "easy" opponents, but remember, this year's Cavaliers team has been unpredictable.
RACE FOR SECOND PLACE
On the brighter side, Cleveland, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, is just two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the coveted second spot in the Eastern Conference. According to Playoffstatus.com the Cavaliers have a 17% percent chance at finishing in second place.
So if you're scoring at home, the Cavaliers could finish the season as high as the No. 2 seed, or as low as the No. 8 seed. Playoffstatus.com gives the Cavaliers a 29% chance at finishing as the No. 4 seed.
AN UNPREDICTABLE SEASON
Looking back to January, the Cavs came into the New Year on fire, winning 17 out of 18 games between Jan. 3 and Feb. 10, including a nine-game win streak.
More recently, things for the Cavaliers have taken a turn for the worse. Since March 3, Cleveland has posted a deflating record of 7-13, including the team's current three-game losing streak.
The team has faced a multitude of injuries to starters, including Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who have all missed a significant amount of time. Most recently, Sam Merrill was added to the injury list after suffering a neck injury in Los Angeles on Sunday. Merrill is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies.
With Mitchell still not being at 100%, other players like Garland, Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert will need to step up in order for the Cavaliers to avoid another first-round exit if they make the playoffs.
These next few weeks will go a long way in determining the long-term future for Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, team president Koby Altman and the roster.
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