Play-In Tournament Part 2

The Celtics and Lakers have won and the Hornets and Spurs are out. Now it’s do or die for the 8 seed, let’s get to it.

9) Indiana Pacers @ 8) Washington Wizards

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The Pacers stomped Charlotte in their first game and despite (or because) Caris Levert’s absence due to COVID protocols they’re primed to keep their season alive. Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon are both healthy and ready to go. They’re role players look comfortable and they’re certainly the deeper and more talented team. However, they hate their coach and have been sleepwalking for three months now, so the last game may have been a bit fluky.

The Wizards came into the play-in as hot as anyone, but were smacked down by Boston. Against a team playing as hard as them their limitations were obvious. They play no defense and have no perimeter depth or wings. Brad Beal is clearly limited by his hamstring issue and Russell Westbrook still struggles against teams when they can game plan against him. That being said they’re at home and have guys capable of getting hot and putting on a show. They also are comfortable in close games, which this game is likely to be.

So who’s going to win? I’m going with the Pacers. I just think they’re much more talented and without a healthy Beal the Wizards just don’t have anyone I trust to get buckets. So in this game playing for the right to lose to Philly in 5 I’m taking Indy 112-102.

9) Memphis Grizzlies @ 8) Golden State Warriors

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After an incendiary start, the Grizzlies limped to a tight victory over a very mediocre Spurs team. This is a rematch of Sunday’s game which the Grizzlies lost. So far the home teams have won every game and the trip to the bay is a long one for this young team. Ja Morant did make some jumpers in the last game, but he still doesn’t have a dependable perimeter game. Dillon Brooks and Jonas Valenciunas were the two that led the Grizzlies to victory. For Brooks the key will be to stay out of foul trouble, in the game on Sunday he fouled out. He’ll be the guy tasked with defending Curry for most of the game. Memphis just needs to keep up their offensive intensity the whole game to pull the upset.

What a heartbreaking loss by the Warriors in Los Angeles. After an excellent first half they weren’t able to put the game away and lost to an incredible Lebron three in the final minute. All of the positives and negatives of this team were on full display in the game. Steph Curry was incredible once again and the Warriors will of course need him to keep up this level of play for the Warriors to win. We saw all of Draymond Green in the game. Defensively he had one of the best games I’ve ever seen. He was everywhere, shutting down all of the Lakers offensive sets. Unfortunately his offense is still a problem. He’s an excellent passer, but his inability to put the ball in the basket just causes so many problems for his team and leads to many turnovers. The question is whether they can get enough offense from Andrew Wiggins, Kent Bazemore, and Jordan Poole to allow Curry to rest or even struggle a little.
Most people will see the Warriors as favorites in this one, but Memphis is the more talented team. I think much like against the Spurs they’ll jump out to an early lead, but I like the Warriors to be able to better handle the pressure. I think this will be a low scoring game and I’m taking the Warriors 97-92.