#Nets open NBA restart schedule with high-stakes Magic game

When the NBA resumes play at Disney’s self-contained campus in Florida, the Nets (30-34), who currently hold a half-game lead for the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, will resume play with their first of two remaining against the eighth-place Magic (30-35) on July 31 (2:30 p.m.).

With the Nets unable to improve their standing in the eight “seeding” games remaining before the playoffs, the seventh spot never has been more important, given the implementation of a potential play-in series. The hypothetical matchup only will take place if the No. 9 seed — the ninth-place Wizards (24-40) are currently 5 ½ games behind the Magic and the lowest-standing Eastern Conference team included in the 22-team restart — finishes within four games of the No. 8 seed. In a play-in series, the No. 9 seed would need to sweep two games to advance, while the No. 8 seed would only need to win one game.

The Nets’ — who will be without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — second game comes against the Wizards on Aug. 2 (2 p.m.), followed by the league-best Bucks (53-12) on Aug. 4 (1:30 p.m.), the Celtics (43-21) on Aug. 5 (9 p.m.), the Kings (28-36) on Aug. 7 (5 p.m.), the Clippers (44-20) on Aug. 9 (9 p.m.), the Magic on Aug. 11 (1 p.m.) and the Trail Blazers (29-37) on Aug. 13 (TBD).

During the regular season, which was suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, the Nets went 4-6 against their opponents of the eight upcoming games, which includes a pair of losses to both Orlando and Washington.

The Magic, who face the Kings, Pacers, Raptors, 76ers, Celtics and Pelicans, went 6-7 against their remaining opponents. The Wizards, who face the Suns, Pacers, 76ers, Pelicans, Thunder, Bucks and Celtics, went 6-5 during the regular season against their upcoming opponents.

If necessary, a play-in series would begin on Aug. 15, while the first round of the playoffs is scheduled to start on Aug. 17.

Last year, the Nets made their first playoff appearance in four years, losing in five games in the first round to the 76ers as the six-seed.