The Hornets playoff seeding could really impact the higher seeds

The Charlotte Hornets have 9 games remaining on their schedule and while they do not have that much of an opportunity to fly up the standings, where they wind up finishing in the playoff picture could have major ramifications for the Nets, 76ers and Bucks. 

They are just 2.5 games behind both the Heat and Celtics for the 6-seed in the Eastern Conference and if Charlotte is to move up and out of the play-in tournament field, that would mean that the Celtics and Heat would be fighting for their playoff lives in the play-in tournament and have to face the top seeds in the Eastern Conference in the first-round should they win. 

The Nets and the 76ers, the two top teams in the East, definitely would rather play teams like the Pacers, Wizards and Hornets rather than the Celtics and Heat because of their lack of playoff experience. Boston has struggled this year, but they are still a team that nobody wants to have to play in the playoffs and Miami just made the NBA Finals last year! 

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If the Hornets can capitalize on their opportunities to win their last several games and they can take advantage of either the Heat or Celtics struggling, then things could really shift in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. 

LaMelo Ball returning to the court and looking just as good as he did pre-wrist injury is bad news for the rest of the Eastern Conference because the Hornets are now going to be even better than they have been over the last few weeks.