Charlotte Hornets: The Race for the 4th Seed

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Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) spins away from Milwaukee Bucks guard Jerryd Bayless (19) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are a game back of Boston and half a game back of Miami with a 42-31 record. They have built a team over the course of the year to get to this point. No one thought that they would get here when Al Jefferson went down the first time, the second time, or when Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was lost for good.

Remaining Hornets games:

@ Philadelphia

Philadelphia

@ Cleveland

@ Toronto

@ New York

Brooklyn

@ Washington

@ Boston

Orlando

Might have to apologize to the Heat. This remaining slate contains no games against the Western Conference and three contests against the two worst records in the league. Yet that is the eye test, what does the model say?

The model would predict Hornets win over 76ers (twice), Knicks, Nets, Wizards, and Magic. That would increase the Hornets record to 48-34. Again that would be the same magic number that the Hawks and the Celtics both hit.

The good news for Miami is that they are the number 3 seed in the East. The bad news for everyone else is that we have to consult the tiebreaker rules to see who gets the 4, 5, and 6 seeds. That’s a big deal since the 4 seed is at home while the 5 and 6 are on the road in the playoffs.

Next: Tiebreakers

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