Welcome to the first (of hopefully many) NBA playoffs play-in-tournament. We’ve got some surprising teams and some great matchups, but before I break those down let’s explain the format. The 7 seed will host the 8. The winner advances to play the 2 seed in the playoffs. The loser will play the winner of the 9 v 10 game for the 8 seed. Get it, got it, good.
East
7) Boston Celtics v 8) Washington Wizards
This should be a pretty fun game. Boston is probably the league’s most disappointing team this season. Having made the Conference Finals in 3 of the last 4 seasons the Celts were seen as a contender before the season, but it never really clicked. They will also be without Jaylen Brown for the playoffs. Can the Celtics get something from Evan Fournier and their bench? If they can, then Boston should be in for a relatively comfortable game. That being said Boston have been slow starters in games all year, so they’ll try to avoid digging too deep of a hole.
The Wizards are a surprise in this game. After a horrible start to the year they’ve been hot lately and rose from bottom 5 team all the way to the 8. They also have two excellent vets with playoff experience with Brad Beal and Russell Westbrook. The key in this game for Washington is to have their mediocre centers outplay Boston’s. Also hope Westbrook keeps it under some kind of control. Beal is coming off of a hamstring issue and has said he isn’t 100% yet so that’s a huge concern.
I think the Wizards will be the trendy pick in this game, but I like Boston. They’re at home and Jayson Tatum will be the best player on the floor. Also Beal is banged up and Westbrook has been ass in the playoffs for years now. I’m taking the Celtics in a relatively close game. Celtics 115-107.
10) Charlotte Hornets v 9) Indiana Pacers
If you like fun you like the Hornets. LaMelo Ball has been a revelation as a rookie and Miles Bridges attacks the rim with murderous intent. Gordon Hayward’s status is up in the air for this one. Without Hayward the Hornets have really struggled and they’ve really limped into the play-in tournament.
If ever a team didn’t want to be here it’s Indy. The players and coaches are feuding, everyone’s hurt, and misery hangs like a cloud over this team. Nobody, including the Pacers, wants to see them in the playoffs this year. All of that being said Domantas Sabonis is playing great lately and Caris Levert is doing his relatively effective gunner thing.
The Pacers will win because we can’t have nice things. Also they’re at home and the Hornets don’t play any defense. Pacers 110-97.
West
7) Los Angeles Lakers v 8) Golden State Warriors
The Lakers finally have all of their guys back. With a healthy Lebron and AD there shouldn’t be any concerns for this team. They’re actually the betting favorite to win the west. That being said they just don’t look right. The chemistry is off and the offense is looking pretty blech. Of course the defense is elite and they’re the champs so doubt them at your own peril.
It’s a miracle the Warriors are in this game. And by miracle I’m referring to Steph Curry. He’s carried this group of bums to the 8 seed against all logic and reason. Any team that relies on Andrew Wiggins is not a team that anyone should fear. However! They got Steph.
If the Lakers are really the favorite we think they are then they’ll win this game with ease. And I think they will. This is gonna be anticlimactic. Lakers 111-95.
9) Memphis Grizzlies v 10) San Antonio Spurs
The Grizzlies are the youngest team in the league and just suffered a disappointing loss in the bay to be the 9 seed. Ja Morant has not taken the leap that many expected this year, but he is a big game player. The Grizzlies have a massive talent edge and home court for this game. Memphis has struggled to reintegrate Jaren Jackson Jr. back into the team, but you should never count out a talent like his. The only concern is that this team is prone to cold streaks from the field.
The Spurs don’t make a lot of sense. It’s Demar Derozan and a bunch of odd young guys that play well sometimes. They will be hoping that a few of them get hot. They’re mediocre on both ends of the court and are clearly inferior to the other west teams. That being said, they have Gregg Popovich.
On paper this is the biggest mismatch of these games and while I believe the Spurs will give them a good game, ultimately Memphis will take it. Grizzlies 101-96.