NEW YORK (AP) – For some teams, it’s win and they’re in.
For others, winning is the worst thing they can do Wednesday.
The last night of the NBA regular season isn’t just about playoff spots. It’s also about lottery seeds, the final chance to lock up the best odds possible for landing a high pick in what’s considered a deep draft.
The Boston Celtics, with a victory over Milwaukee, will clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve already got the top spot for next month’s lottery. The Brooklyn Nets will finish with the league’s worst record, and their 25 percent chance of winning the lottery goes to Boston as part of the ongoing payment of the Paul Pierce-Kevin Garnett trade three years ago.
But other teams have been doing their best – or worst, rather – to fall down the standings with curious lineups and questionable strategies. Commissioner Adam Silver has noticed the tanking going on and said last week it’s a serious issue for the league.