New York (AFP) – A random tie-breaker drawing on Monday gave the Charlotte Hornets the third-best chance to win the top choice in the NBA Draft Lottery next month, the league confirmed.
The drawings determined each club’s chances of winning the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery that will take place next month, as well as resolving some selection order disputes for the June 26–27, New York, NBA Draft.
The 14 NBA teams who did not make it to the postseason will be represented in the May 12 draft lottery. The Detroit Pistons (14-68) and Washington Wizards (15-67) have the best probability of winning the first pick (14% apiece).
With a 21-61 record, Portland and Charlotte had the third-worst combined record in the NBA. However, the Hornets’ victory in overtime gives them a 13.3% chance to take the first choice, while Portland’s odds are 13.2%.
San Antonio, which selected French sensation Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft last year, finished 22–60 for a 10.5% chance to select first this year. Toronto, Memphis, Utah, Brooklyn (which is headed to Houston), Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston were the next teams in diminishing order of probability.
With the Kings having a 0.8% probability of winning the lottery compared to Golden State’s 0.7%, Sacramento prevailed in a tie-breaker drawing over the team with the lowest possibility. They each scored 46–36.
The Philadelphia 76ers emerged victorious in a four-team tie-breaker among 47-35 finishers for the 16th slot among playoff clubs, whose draft order is now determined. Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando, and Indiana followed in that order.
Out of 49-33 clubs, Milwaukee prevailed in a tie-breaker for the 21st choice, followed by Phoenix and New Orleans.
After both teams went 50-32, Dallas defeated New York in a tie-break drawing to claim the 24th position.
After both teams finished 57-25, the 28th pick was determined by a tiebreaker drawing between Denver and Oklahoma City, the reigning NBA champions.
