The Play-In Tourney is here, and there is optimism that one of the teams can reach the Finals. Will it happen?
East Play-In Tournament
#7 Brooklyn Nets (44-38) vs. #8 Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)
This season, the Brooklyn Nets thought they would be a #1- or a #2-seed when it was all set and done. The Cleveland Cavaliers, well, they outplayed everyone’s expectations. Now, these two teams will collide with a chance to secure a playoff spot. With that said, the Brooklyn Nets have two big-time scorers, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. But the thing is that the Nets don’t play much defense. As for the Cavs, their young core consists of Darius Garland, who has improved tremendously, Isaiah Mobley, who had a stellar rookie season, and Jarrett Allen, who is one of the premier big men in the NBA.
This game is going to come down to defense. The Cavs are the better team defensively, but the Nets have shown flashes of solid play, too. If they do, the Nets will win and secure the 7th spot in the East and take on the Boston Celtics.
Players to Watch: K. Durant, K. Irving, S. Curry, D. Garland, I. Mobley. J. Allen
Prediction: Nets 121, Cavs 115. The winner advances to the NBA Playoffs as the #7 seed, and the loser plays the winner of the #9-#10 game.
#9 Atlanta Hawks (43-39) vs. #10 Charlotte Hornets (43-39)
Trae Young and the Hawks are just one season removed from making the Eastern Conference finals, and the Hornets are one year removed from getting blasted by 27 points in the 2020-21 Play-In tournament. Who has the upper hand? No matter who wins, it will be fun to watch because these teams play with pace. It’s just a matter of which team makes fewer mistakes. If the Hawks and Trae Young play composed basketball–as they did in the last postseason run– the Hawks have a good chance of playing for the 8th spot.
For Charlotte to see success, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges will have to bring their A-game. The dynamic duo is fun to watch, and they can torture the opposing defense with uncanny athleticism and playmaking ability, which is exactly what I think will happen.
Charlotte would travel to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers to advance to the playoffs.
Players to Watch: T. Young, K. Huerter, L. Ball, M. Bridges, T. Rozier
Prediction: Hawks 111, Hornets 125. The winner plays the loser of the 7-8 game, and the loser goes home.
West Play-In Tournament
#7 Minnesota Timberwolves (47-35) vs. #8 Los Angeles Clippers (41-41)
Minnesota finished the regular season (47-35), which is their best record finish since the 2017-2018 season. Can they get past the Clippers? The Timberwolves are rolling with a trio of playmakers–Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and DeAngelo Russell. Will they show up against a proven Paul George and a savvy Clippers team? I think they can. The difference will be Kat’s play in the post and from beyond the arch. He will be the problem for which Clippers have no answer.
The Timberwolves would play the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.
Players to Watch: K. Towns, A. Edwards, D. Russell, P. George, R. Jackson
Prediction: Timberwolves 110, Clippers 105. The winner advances to the playoffs as the 7th seed, while the loser plays the winner of the #9-#10 game.
#9 New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) vs. #10 San Antonio Spurs (35-47)
Both franchises, happy that they knocked out the Los Angeles Lakers, have to battle each other for a playoff spot. The Spurs are an exciting team, but the Pelicans are more formidable. On offense, Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCullum lead the way. while Jonas Valanciunas and Herbert Jones defend their tails off. While I wouldn’t count out the Spurs, I still think the Pelicans will get the job done.
The Pelicans would play the Los Angeles Clippers for the 8th seed.
Players to Watch: B. Ingram, C. McCollum, D. Murray, K. Johnson, D. Vassell
Prediction: Pelicans 105, Spurs 98. The winner plays the loser of the 7-8 game, and the loser goes home.
#8 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #10 Charlotte Hornets
Prediction: Cavs 110, Hornets 107. The Cavs would play the Miami Heat in the first round.
#8 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #9 New Orleans Pelicans
Prediction– Clippers 115, Pelicans 110. The Clippers would play the Phoenix Suns in the first round. If so, it would be a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals. (Oh, and by the way, Kawhi Leonard could return.)
