Charlotte Hornets: The Race for the 4th Seed

Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Kemba Walker (15) during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Kemba Walker (15) during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Kemba Walker (15) during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Charlotte Hornets are looking at improving their spot in the NBA Playoffs. How friendly is the schedule to having that happen?

The Charlotte Hornets are closing in on the end of the season. They have nine games left and they remain outside the fourth playoff spot by one game. Miami sits in fifth a place a half game ahead of the Hornets.

With it coming down to this four way race between Charlotte, Miami, Boston and Atlanta (might as well throw the third place Hawks in for good measure) it is time to seriously look at how the end of the season might play out and if the Hornets do have a shot to come out in that fourth spot.

The rules for this exercise are these:

  1. Games against non-playoff opponents will be considered wins
  2. Games against playoff teams on the road will be considered losses
  3. Games against better teams at home will also be considered losses

That should keep things from getting too complex. Sure there might be a back to back somewhere that doesn’t work out or a surprise win over a frontrunning team, but the assumption is that these will balance out.

Next: Atlanta