NBA In-Season Tournament: Can The Knicks Still Qualify For the Knockouts If They Beat the Hornets?

The group stages of the In-Season tournaments are coming to an end. Due to that, all the matches forthcoming are going to be extremely crucial as the winners will proceed to the knockout stage. The upcoming match between the Knicks and the Hornets is going to be highly pressurizing for both teams, but mostly the Knicks. New York has a solid chance of securing their spot in the knockout stage if they manage to win against the Hornets.

The New York Knicks currently 2nd their group boasting 2 wins and 1 loss. However, the Hornets on the other hand have just 1 win and a point differential of -30, hence the match is more important for the Knicks. So, what are the scenarios due to which the Knicks will qualify and compete in the knockout stage?

What are the possibilities for the Knicks to secure their spot?

The simplest route for the Knicks to secure their spot is to win their next game and pray that the Bucks lose. To secure the top spot in Group B, the Knicks must win the decisive game against both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat. If all of these conditions fit, the Knicks definitely will be at the top of Group B and prove their dominance in the tournament.

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However, even if they do not finish first in their group, they have other ways of entering the quarterfinals. But for that, the Big Apple will have to win an additional match and hope that the other teams lose. The teams in contention for the spot are the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. Another way of making it to the knockout stage is winning a tie-break with any other second-place team who holds the record of 3 wins and 1 loss.

To qualify for the quarterfinals is a big achievement for the Knicks. By entering the knockout stage, they will be able to demonstrate the strength of their squad in this competitive tournament. So, this final group stage game against the Hornets is very important for them. By triumphing, not only will they secure a spot, but they will also prove to be a dominant force in the NBA.

Will the Knicks be able to clinch a victory against Queen City?

The Knicks own a 66-57 regular-season rivalry advantage. After dominating the first two games of the season, they will aim to maintain their dominance. With their star power, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle being in excellent shape, their chances at victory increase significantly. And by showing his offensive skill set in a 32-point outburst, Jalen Brunson is also ready to achieve glory for his franchise. In the last 10 matches, the Knicks played against the Hornets, they managed to win 6 times. But the Hornets, on the other hand, are not playing for a spot in the quarter-final anymore. As they have a -30 point differential, they are playing as a spoiler to the teams competing for the spot.

With playoff hopes on stake, this becomes an absolute must-win match for the Knicks. And their victory will give their fans an extensive glimpse of how desperately they want to secure their spot in the quarterfinals. The NBA world is watching the knockout dreams of the teams and who is willing to go the extra mile for it. What do you think? Will the Knicks qualify or not? Let us know in the comments below.

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