NBA Play In

[Martin]

Why does 7 play 8 instead of 7 play 10? Has the NBA ever explained this illogic?

 

[REB1094]

Game 1 - #7 plays #8. Winner is #7, loser plays in Game 3
Game 2 - #9 plays #10. Winner plays in Game 3, loser is eliminated
Game 3 - Loser of Game 1 plays winner of Game 2. Winner is #8, loser is eliminated

Long story short - #7 and #8 have to win 1 game to get in. #9 and #10 have to win 2 games