Cleveland Cavaliers can clinch NBA playoff berth as Cavs host Indiana Pacers

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
Mar 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff argues a call with referee Robert Hussey (85) during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff argues a call with referee Robert Hussey (85) during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavaliers are on the doorstep of clinching a berth in the NBA playoffs for a second consecutive season.

With the Cavs (47-33) hosting the Indiana Pacers (46-34) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, here are the scenarios for Cleveland to officially punch its ticket to the playoffs by the end of the day:

  • The Cavs would clinch with a win over the Pacers. Beating the Pacers would also guarantee the Cavs a top-five seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs entered Friday fourth in the standings. The Pacers, who are 1-2 against the Cavs this season, were sixth.

  • Even if the Cavs don't defeat the Pacers, Cleveland would clinch with a Philadelphia 76ers (45-35) loss to the Orlando Magic (46-34). The Sixers entered Friday in seventh place and the Magic in fifth.

"If [our sense of urgency is] not on 10, then we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing, and we shouldn't be playing these games," Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Every step of the way we understand where we are and just how important it is."

The Cavs will host the Charlotte Hornets (20-60) at 1 p.m. Sunday in the regular-season finale. If the Cavs fail to clinch Friday, avoiding the Play-In Tournament could hinge on them beating the Hornets. The Cavs are 1-1 against the Hornets this season.

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Mar 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The top six teams in each conference at the end of the regular season will be in the playoffs without appearing in the Play-In Tournament. The teams finishing in seventh through 10th place will vie in the Play-In Tournament. The Play-In Tournament will run April 16-19. The playoffs will begin April 20.

With the Pacers visiting Cleveland, the Cavs will be able to measure themselves one last time in the regular season against a playoff-caliber opponent.

“Really high pace. Everybody's flying around," Cavs point guard Darius Garland said of the Pacers' style. “There's a lot of good athletes on the floor.

“It should be a good one. So we should be ready. We should be excited for that one. It’s another big game for us. Another test. We should be up and ready."

Last year, the Cavs suffered a 4-1 series loss to the New York Knicks in the opening round of the playoffs.

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Cleveland Cavs can clinch NBA playoff berth

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