Philadelphia 76ers look to avoid falling in Eastern Conference playoff standings

The 43-40 Philadelphia 76ers host the New York Knicks on Wednesday in a game that could shake up the Eastern Conference standings considerably.

For the fourth and final time this season, the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks will square off on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center, as the Sixers aim to sweep the Knicks for the first time since the 2008-09 season, according to landofbasketball.com.

Wednesday’s game should feature rookie guard Markelle Fultz in his second appearance following his long absence. Fultz tallied 10 points to go along with eight assists, and four rebounds during a 123-104 Sixers win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday to provide the rookie with some much needed confidence.

Regardless of Wednesday’s outcome, the Sixers could be a part of significant shuffling in the East, with the following scenarios:

If the Sixers Win

If the Sixers power past the Knicks to win their eighth-straight game, Philly will remain in control of their own destiny for the No. 3 seed in the East. Then, all eyes would shift to Charlotte.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-30) play in the second of a back-to-back night against the Charlotte Hornets (34-41) as well. The Cavs fell to the Miami Heat, who sit in the No. 7 seed at the moment, on Tuesday 98-79 in South Beach.

A Sixers win over the Knicks combined with a Cavs loss in Charlotte would catapult Philly to the No. 3 seed in the East.

Although the Hornets have been dealing with a rough season, Charlotte is riding a four-game winning streak, one of which saw the club drum the Memphis Grizzlies by 61 points. The Hornets boast a 21-17 home record, while the Cavs sit at an even 19-19 on the road.

With the Sixers and Cavs in a fight for the No. 3 seed, there will certainly be scoreboard watching between the neighboring states as the regular season wanes.

Philly and Cleveland will meet for the fourth and final time in a crucial matchup on April 6 in a game that could end up playing a big role in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

If Sixers lose

If the Sixers impressive win streak ended against the Knicks, Philadelphia would drop to the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, as the Indiana Pacers (44-31) would then ascend ahead of Philly. Indiana defeated the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night in Oakland, 92-81.

Indiana passing Philly is a scary thought, as the Pacers won the season series against the Sixers 2-1. Thus, a two-way tiebreaker scenario would lean in Indiana’s favor.

Although the Sixers ride a seven-game winning streak, Indiana hasn’t slumped on their end, as they hold a three-game winning streak of their own. The Pacers have won seven of their last 10 contests, and happen to be off on Wednesday.

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Despite all results tonight, the final two weeks of the NBA season look to be exciting, as the seeding in the Eastern Conference could still see plenty of changes over the next few weeks. Whether the Sixers end up with the No. 3 seed, only time will tell, but at least they can continue their chances with another win over the Knicks on Wednesday.