Predicting The Play-In Games
May 18, 2021, 12:31 PM | Updated: 12:32 pm
(NBA.com)
(NBA.com)
I have to admit that I am intrigued with the NBA’s play-in format for the 2020-2021 season. It begins Tuesday with two games and then two more on Wednesday, followed by one single elimination game on Thursday and Friday. All of these games will lead to the full playoff field which is set to begin on Saturday.
I love playoff basketball and this format should give us some very memorable moments. Here is how I see the four days of basketball playing out.
Tuesday:
#10 Charlotte Hornets at #9 Indiana Pacers
This is truly a win or go home game for both teams. This is the kind of drama that is missed out on during an NBA series unless that series gets to a game 7. The Pacers get the luxury of hosting this game because Charlotte closed the season on a five game losing streak. When looking at the Pacers though, they have been through some things. Turmoil in the locker room and a ton of injuries. They will play without Myles Turner, T J Warren, possibly Malcom Brogdon and now Caris LeVert has been ruled out due to covid protocols. This will be too much to overcome for Indiana and thus I am going with the Charlotte Hornets to advance to Thursday’s final Eastern Conference play-in game.
#8 Washington at #7 Boston
This isn’t the exact concept of win or go home because there is a safety net. Winner is in and will be the 7th seed and start a series this weekend with Brooklyn. The loser will host the winner of the 9-10 game. Washington is playing much better right now than their brutal (3-12) start. Westbrook and Beal have carried this team up the Eastern Conference standings. With that said, Boston is without Jaylen Brown, they have not been the team we all thought they would be, but I do like them in this one game matchup. Marcus Smart’s defense will be critical. Kemba Walker has been making plays and looking to score more late in the season and Jayson Tatum will be a problem for the Wizards lack of defense.
Boston advances and gets Brooklyn while the Wizards will get a second chance against Charlotte.
Wednesday:
#10 San Antonio at #9 Memphis
This matchup has the largest discrepancy between records of the play-in games.
The Spurs were (33-39) while Memphis finished the season (38-34). San Antonio finished the season just (2-8) and if they didn’t have Pop, I am not sure many would give them a chance. Memphis is good and balanced. Good offensively, they rebound, they share the ball, they limit turnovers, and they can defend. I have Memphis winning this game and the loser of the Warriors/Lakers game should be worried when Memphis comes into their building on Friday night.
#8 Golden State Warriors at #7 Los Angeles Lakers
This is the match-up that we are all looking forward too. Steph and the Warriors are really hot right now. They Lakers have a boatload of talent but have not been the best version of themselves for quite a while. LA’s high level talent will be too much and they will make it very difficult on Steph for this one game tilt. The winner moves into the 7 seed and will be a problem for the second seeded Phoenix Suns. My pick here is the Lakers prevail and get into the Western Conference Field.
The long, strange NBA season is now over and for hoops junkies this is the reward for the end. The next couple of months will give us the best basketball. Games every day and big time moments to remember forever.
Hope you enjoy it, because I know I will.
