With just a few weeks left in the 2017-18 NBA season, the stakes are high for those teams not in the playoff race. The NBA Draft Lottery is on all of those team’s minds and the race for a top 3 pick in a loaded draft is likely going to come down to the final games.
Going into the March 28th games, the Phoenix Suns have the worst record in the league at 19-56 with a 1.5 game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies. Our friends over at Tankathon have been keeping track of the lottery all year long and give the Suns a 64.3% chance at a top 3 pick and 25% chance at No. 1 overall. The Grizzlies are at 55.8% for the a top 3 pick and 19.9% for No. 1 overall.
The Chicago Bulls are currently sitting at eighth and 5.5 games out of the worst record. As it stands, Tankathon has them with a 9.9% chance at a top 3 pick and 2.8% chance at the No. 1 overall pick. Chicago is coming off a 118-86 loss to the Houston Rockets and have now lost six-straight.
There are eight games on the schedule for Wednesday night with six of them having serious top 10 lottery implications. Here are the updated Top 9 standings via Tankathon.
Standings
- Phoenix Suns 19-56
- Memphis 20-54 (1.5 GB)
- Atlanta 21-53 (2.5 GB)
- Orlando 22-51 (4 GB)
- Cleveland (via Brooklyn) 23-51 (4.5 GB)
- Dallas 23-51 (4.5 GB)
- Sacramento 24-51 (5 GB)
- Chicago 24-50 (5.5 GB)
- New York 27-48 (8)
Key Games on 3/28
Brooklyn (23-51) vs. Orlando (22-51)
This game really works in the Bulls favor because both teams are ahead of the Bulls in the standings. Either way, Chicago is gaining half a game on one of these teams on Wednesday night.
New York (27-48) vs. Philadelphia (43-30)
It’s going to take a miracle for the Knicks to get into the top 3 but another win for them couldn’t hurt.
Portland (46-28) vs. Memphis (20-54)
The Bulls enter Wednesday’s games 4 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the second-worst record. A win by Memphis would help Chicago out but it’s not likely with Portland playing very good basketball of late.
Atlanta (21-53) vs. Minnesota (42-33)
For a while it looked as if Atlanta would be the worst team in the league but entering Wednesday they are 2.5 games back of Phoenix. As of right now they have a legit shot at No. 1 overall by sitting in the No. 3 spot but a win tonight and the Bulls would be 2.5 back of Atlanta.
Los Angeles Clippers (40-34) vs. Phoenix (19-56)
The Suns are probably going to land at least a top 3 pick at minimum unless they start rallying off some wins. Let’s hope that happens tonight.
Dallas (23-51) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (32-41)
You never know what Lakers team you’re going to get so it’s possible Dallas could win tonight. If that happens, Chicago will be a half game back of the Mavericks.
Next up for the Bulls…
Chicago returns to the court on Thursday for a road game against the Miami Heat. Tip is at 6:30 p.m. CST with the game being broadcasted on WGN-TV and 670 The Score.
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