The NBA playoffs 2024 were confirmed on Friday. Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans secure last two positions for the playoffs. The Heat beat Chicago Bulls in 112-91, while the Pelicans defeat 105-98 to Sacramento Kings and confirmed their tickets to the playoffs.
Despite the absence of the key player, Jimmy Butler, Miami dominated in the first quarter and never gave up their lead. On the other hand, the Pelicans also did not get their star Zion Williamson but Brandon Ingram’s 24 points helped the Kings to qualify for the playoffs.
Miami takes the eighth seeds in the Eastern Conference and they will now play against Boston Celtics, who finished with the best record in the regular session. On the other hand, the New Orleans playing with Oklahoma City in the Western conference top seed. Both series will begin on Sunday. Butler, led Miami in two NBA finals including a defeat in the last year by Denver Nuggets.
A few hours ago, NBA reporter Harrison Wind took the official X account to share update of Nugget’s injury report. According to it, no single player from the roster, expect for Slovenian player, Vlatko Cancer has been listed on the report till now. This means that the entire main lineup would be represent to host the 2020 NBA Championships in the ball arena in Corlando.
On the other hand, the Los Angels Lakers confirmed their ticket in the NBA playoffs after beating the New Orleans Pelicans by 110-106, though there was a 40-point game from Zion Williamson. Even the Lackers started scoring in double digits during Tuesday’s game to advance the Western Conference 7th seed and will face the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the playoffs.
The 39-year-old LeBrone James stuffed the sheet for Lakers with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steels and 2 blocks in 41 of action. D’ Angelo Russel added 21 points, while Athony Davis had 20 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.
The Pelicans have also had another chance to extend the session when they host Sacramento Kings on Friday. The winner of this match will gain the 8th position in the West and will play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 1st round.
The Pelicans went 9 out of 30 from 3-point range against the and relied on Williamson’s offensive explosion to stay in the game. Behind him Trey Murphy had 12 points and also Brandon Ingram added 11 points against his former team.
NBA Playoffs first round:
- Eastern Conference
- Boston Celtics v
- New York Knicks v
- Milwaukee Bucks v
- Cleveland Cavaliers v
- Orlando Magic
- Indiana Pacers
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Miami Heat
Western Conference 
- Oklahoma City Thunder v
- Denver Nuggets v
- Minnesota Timberwolves v
- Los Angeles Clippers v
- Dallas Mavericks
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers
- New Orleans Pelicans
