The playoff phase is played between the 9th and 24th placed teams so 9th plays 24th not 16th.
I've had it clarified by Dale Johnson from ESPN.
The groupings for potential last 16 opponents are:
- 1st, 2nd, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th are grouped together for the knockout phase. 2 of 15-18 will of course go out in the playoff round (this applies for the next 3 bullet points).
- 3rd, 4th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th are grouped together.
- 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 21st, 22nd.
- 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 23rd, 24th.
1st and 2nd will be on the opposite side of the bracket.