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When the season began, the goal was simple: Get into the play-in tournament. In the loaded Eastern Conference, that would be a step in the right direction.
That should shift now. It’s time to think bigger. The Knicks absolutely can reach the main postseason draw without having to play themselves in.
The sixth spot has to be the goal.
The conference isn’t as good as it was expected to be, at least after the top five of the Celtics, Bucks, Nets, Cavaliers and 76ers. The Bulls and Hawks — currently clinging to play-in position — have been disappointments, a combined six games under .500. The same can be said about the Raptors, a dismal 16-22, having dropped 10 of their last 13 games. Beyond them is a bottom rung of rebuilding teams (Magic, Pistons) and a Hornets club ruined by injuries and the legal troubles of Miles Bridges. There have been rumors that the Bulls and Raptors may end up selling off key players.
Right now, the Knicks (21-18) are in sixth place — with an identical record to the surprising Pacers, whom the Knicks recently beat on the road. Coming off a 53-win season and spot in the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat have begun to get going. Having won eight of their past 12 games — prior to Wednesday night’s road setback to the Lakers, the losses came to the Nuggets, Bulls, Pacers — Miami has to be viewed as the favorite for the sixth seed. The Pacers, led by fantastic young point guard Tyrese Haliburton, also have played well of late, beating the likes of the Clippers, Celtics and Cavaliers. They pose the other primary threat to the Knicks for the coveted No. 6 spot in the conference standings.
The next few weeks should tell us a lot. Thirteen of the Knicks’ next 14 games are against Eastern Conference opponents. That includes three games against the Raptors and one apiece against the Hawks, Heat and Pacers.
