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          NBA restart projections: Play-in favorites and playoff standings

          • Kevin Pelton, ESPN Senior WriterJul 15, 2020, 10:30 AM
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            • Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
            • Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
            • Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system
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          How has recent NBA news affected our projections for the restart of the NBA season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex?

          Since I originally ran projections for the eight seeding games and neutral-site playoffs using the multiyear version of ESPN's real plus-minus (RPM), a few teams have had key losses.

          All-Star guards Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo decided against playing -- though Oladipo's decision might not be final. The Brooklyn Nets saw three starters (Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince) withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19, and the Los Angeles Lakers lost Rajon Rondo to a thumb fracture after resuming practice.

          I've again simulated the remainder of the season 1,000 times based on current rosters and projections. Let's break down the results.