Will we be able to get the 3rd seed and 50+ wins?

[omerome]

If this team is 100% in Round 1, seeding does not matter.

That's pretty much it. And honestly, I know our matchup would prefer to face anyone else if they could.

[MrDollarBills]

If this team is 100% in Round 1, seeding does not matter.

That's pretty much it. And honestly, I know our matchup would prefer to face anyone else if they could.

Boston is the only team imo that can go toe to toe with 100% Knicks. Everyone else? I don't buy it.

[HopelessKnick]

I actually think going 9-5 over the remaining 14 games is pretty realistic--IF OG can play in the majority of these games and Mitch returns to help out in the frontcourt. If both of them can play only a fraction of these 14 games then I think 7-7 is more realistic. Needless to say we must take all the 4 games after the Denver game. There is a very good chance the Celtics and Bulls are going to be resting their main players in the final week of the season so we could realistically go 4-0 after the road trip as well as 3-0 to finish the season. So we'd have to find 2 wins in that stretch against the Bulls twice, Kings, Heat, Thunder and Bucks. Definitely doable.

[HopelessKnick]

The other question is whether the third seed is indeed more desirable than the 4th or 5th seed. Keep in mind that Philly is still pretty much in the running for the 6th seed. If Philly stays in that 6th seed and say Embiid returns for the final 7-8 games then you may be facing the east's 2nd or 3rd best team in the first round.

Philly with Embiid this season: 26-8 (pretty much on par with Boston)

Philly without Embiid this season: 12-22

So if you have the choice between a healthy Philly in the first round and then a healthy Milwaukee in the 2nd round, I would argue that the 4th or 5th seed is not a bad spot.