Alright, the purpose of this exercise is to take a look and project the first round playoffs and my take on who would advance to the 2nd round as we stand on the cusp of starting week 16 past the trade dealine!

Let´s do it

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1-8 Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers

I actually think that Philly will lock that spot in and stave off the Heat and the Magic on the final push for the playoffs and they have what it takes to be a playoff team.
As for Detroit, with the Kyle Lowry addition, they are flat out bullying people and i believe they would do the same thing to the 76ers.

Pistons in 4

2-7 Charlotte Hornets vs. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are one of the teams rising closer to the deadline and are preparing for the final push to stay as a playoff team. The addition o Steven Adams helps a bunch for a team that was lacking size.
As for the Hornets, the team keeps doing 2k moves that will help in different playoff match-ups, like the addition of Beverly and his defensive badges.

Hornets in 5

3-6 Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls

Ohhh snap! If things stay the way I am projecting they will be, we are going to have a re-match of last year´s Eastern Conference Finals between the Wiz and the Bulls.
While there is much respect between the GMs on the record, I´m sure the players on both teams don´t forget what happened. Wizards have been the best team and 2k suits them so much this year, I´m calling it the “revenge series”. You can bet this will be a battle.

Wizards in 7

4-5 New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers

2 teams with big trades close to the deadline trades that will have lasting impacts, especially for New York which got more depth and a little less deadly, I would say. As for the Pacers, they have been playing better of late and have put real talent into the franchise to set themselves up.
Ultimately, I take the Knicks cause they have more talent overall, even though not more high end talent.

Knicks in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1-8 Portland Trailblazers vs. Sacramento Kings

Looking back, this is the only movement I´ve made in the standings, which tells me I predict the league to hold as it is until week 20, which is likely not happening, but I have Sacramento climbing after their latest trade. Vuce makes everything better and 2k loves him. He will take them all the way to a 1^st round exit against the strongest team in the league. Even if Harden isn´t back, I think they can beat 90% of the league.

Portland in 4

2-7 San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Grizzlies are trying to hold on for dear life when teams like GSW and Sacramento can´t seem to go away and threaten standing in the rearview mirror. Jaylen is only one man and the surrounding pieces haven´t developed as fast as expected, so 7^th in the West is good enough for this year. San Antonio is the second best team in the league and they are nuclear enough to sweep this. Damian Lillard is a baaaaad man!

Spurs in 4

3-6 Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are one of my favorite NSL watches because I´m always amazed how Steph can be even better and more OP than his real life self. By the way, what are the chances we se a double MVP award go for Curry in NSL and NBA? This would probably be the series I´m more excited about watching to see how in the world do the Clips defend Curry and how will Denver defend Giannis. This will be a sight to see, I think this one can go all the way to 7 games.
One of the hardest call on this piece, I think I would go…

Nuggets in 7

4-5 New Orleans Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks

This one is very intriguing as well because it could go either way if we have certain key guys unavailable. Is Kevin Durant going to play the full series or be hindered? Is Donovan Mitchell going to be alright? Head-to-head and 100% this will be another exciting series. Dallas is on an absolute tear right now, and the Pelicans have lost a bit of the luster. Still I think it will be the case of coaching in this case and matchup adjustment.

Pelicans in 7

Overall, this was really fun to write, but going in I was hoping I would project more surprises in the standings, but the more I looked, the more I believed that we will suffer very few changes on the top of the standings except for one and this is what would happen, if these two teams faced each other in a possible matchup. Only the future will reveal if I´m right or wrong. What say you?