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76ers Lock Up Playoff Seed After Celtics Defeat Raptors

The Eastern Conference's playoff picture is fully forming.

The Philadelphia 76ers have officially locked in their playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. After entering the playoffs as the fourth seed last year, Philadelphia will go up a spot this season as they are the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Going into Wednesday night’s slate of games, the Sixers had off. But depending on how the Boston Celtics versus Toronto Raptors matchup went, the game could have an impact on the Sixers’ upcoming playoff run.

With the Celtics defeating the Raptors 97-93, bouncing back after a two-point loss in Philly, the Celtics officially put the second seed out of reach for the Sixers. 

Meanwhile, the Celtics locked up the Atlantic Division and clinched the second seed for themselves. Now, the top five seeds in the East are officially in place.

Current Standings

1. Milwaukee Bucks

2. Boston Celtics

3. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

5. New York Knicks

The sixth seed is still available. Currently, the Brooklyn Nets are in sixth place with a 44-36 record. The Miami Heat are right behind them with a 42-37 record. 

If the season ended today, the Sixers would draw a first-round series against the Nets, with the Heat competing for one of the final two seeds through the Play-In Tournament. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.


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