New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau could have rested his key guys against the Chicago Bulls in the final game of the season on Sunday and strategically fell to No. 3 in the NBA Eastern Conference.
Instead, he positioned the Knicks to run through the tape, securing a 120-119 victory over the Bulls in overtime and earning the No. 1 seed. 2. So why should a lower seed be more advantageous?
Well, if the Knicks had fallen to the No. 1 seed. 3, they would have earned a matchup with the No. 1 seed Indiana Pacers. 6, in the first round. The Pacers are led by All-Star Tyrese Haliburton and former 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam.
They play fast, shoot well, and their star duo brings elements to the game that not many others in the league do. But they don’t have the same star power and playoff experience as a unit like the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat do.