It seems like every year at this point in the season people mention how the current pace for the playoffs is less than 96 points. But I would mention two things:
1) 96 points is used because that basically guarantees a playoff spot. If memory serves, no team with 96 points has ever missed the playoffs.
2) In the 2nd half, things tighten up and there tends to be more 3-point games. Also, the playoff contending teams tend to acquire more points as the also-rans start to fall off, trade players, tank for draft position etc.
As is the case every year, I am willing to bet that the playoff requirement starts to inch its way up to the mid-nineties from here, as things get more serious in the 2nd half.
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