The one-and-done elimination style has made the NCAA tournament one of the most-watched sports events in the calendar year. Despite initial apprehension, the play-in tournament has created more intrigue and suspense while reducing the number of teams tanking for a top draft pick. For two nights in the NBA season, the tension of a play-in tournament will grip players, fans, and a large tv audience. In this article, we preview and predict the four winners of the upcoming play-in tournament.
Tuesday, April 11
(8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Miami Heat-7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
It is hard to see a path to the Hawks winning this rivalry game. The Heat won the regular season series 3-1, and last season they won the playoff matchup 4-1. Going back to the start of the 2021 season, the Heat are 11-3 against the Dirty South franchise. The Heat are a difficult matchup for the Hawks because they play relentless physical defense against Trae Young. It forces the Hawks to find a consistent secondary means to score the basketball, and they have come up short in finding productivity. The Hawks felt they would address the issue by trading for Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. Murray has averaged 20.5 pts, 6. 1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in his first season with the Hawks. However, he has limited playoff experience playing in the playoffs, and I think he may struggle early in the game. On the other hand, I believe Jimmy will play like a man possessed and see the urgency of winning this home game. The Heat will rue their inconsistency during the regular season after a season in which they were a few bounces away from reaching the NBA finals. I think they win comfortably and set up a rematch with Boston Celtics.
Heat 115-Hawks 104
(8) Minnesota Timberwolves at (7) Los Angeles Lakers-10 p.m. ET, TNT
These two teams are linked because they were involved in one of the biggest trades at the deadline. The Los Angeles Lakers traded superstar Russell Westbrook to Utah, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, and their 2027 1st-round pick to reacquire guard D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota in a three-team, eight-player deal. In return, Minnesota received Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Utah, along with three second-round picks. The records would indicate that the Lakers benefited most from the trade because they were 25-31 at the deadline on February 9, while the Timberwolves- were 30-28. The Lakers finished the season with a flourish with an 18-8 record, while the Timberwolves treaded water at 12-12. The Timberwolves won the season series 2-1, but the first two matchups had either Anthony Davis or Lebron James. The Timberwolves are reeling from Rudy Gobert punching Kyle Anderson during a game and Jaden McDaniels injuring his hand after punching a wall during their finale. The last matchup on March 31 would be the best projection when both squads were at full strength, and the Lakers won on the road 123-111. The impact of Russell, Beasley, and Vanderbilt on the Lakers has transformed the Lakers in bringing scoring, shooting, and defense. I think Davis and James will be too much for the Timberwolves, given that a win will mean at least three days off before facing the Grizzlies. It will be a close game, but the Lakers will win this game.
Lakers 125-Timberwolves 120
Wednesday, April 12
(10) Bulls at (9) Raptors- 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
There are rumors that Nick Nurse is contemplating his future with the Toronto Raptors. Nick Nurse led the team to the 2019 NBA championship but could not propel them to those heights after the departure of Kawhi Leonard. The matchup at home could potentially be the last for the coach, and if that doesn’t motivate, then this team is hopeless. The Bulls have been plagued by injuries with the long-term absence of Lonzo Ball and Zack LaVine missing at times from the lineup. The Raptors won the regular season series 2-1, and the home team won all three matchups. I think Toronto has one of the best home crowds in the NBA, and it will propel them to victory. The balanced attack from Siakam, Anunoby, Poeltl, and Gary Trent will be too much for the Bulls, who will need a herculean effort from LaVine and Derozan to pull off the upset. It will be a low-scoring and close matchup, but Jurassic Park will leave happy.
Raptors 105-Bulls 101
(10) Oklahoma City Thunder at (9) New Orleans Pelicans-9:30 pm ET, ESPN
It will be an interesting matchup because it pits two of the youngest teams with upside for years to come. The Pelicans won the regular season series 3-1, but the first three games were decided by 4 points or less, and the win by the Thunder was with Brandon Ingram missing. The Pelicans are the home team, but I would have loved their chances to win if they had a healthy Zion Williamson. If Zion is healthy, this team would have remained in the top 5 in the west, but without him they can’t be trusted. The Thunder will be under the least pressure of any team in the playoffs because most see this team as challenging for the top spot in a year or two with the ultra-talented Chet Holmgren out for the season. It will be a fun matchup, but I think that Shai Gilgreous Alexander is the best player in this matchup and will outduel Brandon Ingram. The key for the Thunder is to keep the game close and allow their budding superstar to take them to the finish line in the fourth quarter. I think this scenario plays out, and I have the Thunder pulling off the road upset in a thriller.
Thunder 118-Pelicans 116