NBA history says the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have just a 5 percent chance of winning a playoff series this season.

Here's how we arrived at that cheerful little fact: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 325 teams have ever started 3-10, and 58 of those managed to make the playoffs (18 percent).

Of those 58 teams, just 17 advanced past the first round. So, 17 of the 325 teams that started 3-10 went on to win a playoff series (5 percent).

Fortunately for the Nets and Knicks, they play in the Atlantic Division. Despite absolutely horrendous starts, both teams are just three games behind the Toronto Raptors (6-7) for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are just two back of the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 8 seed.

Winning the Atlantic guarantees a top-four seed -- regardless of record.

Of course, that requires both teams to actually win games, something they haven’t done of late.

The Knicks have lost six in a row, while the Nets have dropped five straight.