Under the new format, the 7th to 10th-ranked teams faced each other in the play-in.

Each game is hosted by the team with the higher regular season record.

The format was similar to the first two rounds of the Page–McIntyre system for a four-team playoff that was identical to that of the NBA play-in tournament.

First, the 7th seed hosted the 8th seed, with the winner advancing to the playoffs; likewise the 9th seed hosted the 10th seed, with the loser eliminated.

Then the loser of the 7-v-8 game hosted the winner of the 9-v-10 game, with the winner of that game getting the final playoff spot.