Finally the basketball we get to watch means something! Teams can no longer take their blasé approach to defense or effort. Every possession matters and the stakes are do or die, especially in a situation where a loss means playing for your life.
With that said, here are some brief thoughts of mine ahead of today and tomorrow’s NBA Play-in games.
CLEVELAND AT BROOKLYN
I have high hopes for a great game here. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be playing, and likely 40+ minutes barring a tremendous blowout. I wouldn’t expect one, but Jarrett Allen’s absence will hurt Cleveland’s interior defense. Expect Brooklyn’s best to put on a show. Darius Garland will be a huge factor in this game. If he can deliver a strong performance, aided by Evan Mobley and somebody in this Cavs lineup stepping up. It’s not a guarantee someone will; this is a team without much playoff experience save for their players well into their later years in the league. That said, I would put my money on Kevin Love to be that somebody. He’s got big game experience and could really cause problems for Brooklyn. Who’s gonna win? Let’s get real.
PREDICTION: Brooklyn wins 128-113
LOS ANGELES AT MINNESOTA
This is a fun matchup. Karl-Anthony Towns is the x-factor in this game to me. He’s ranged between just ok to bad against them this season, but all of the games he played in were in November, according to StatMuse. It’s possible he could go off, the Clippers have to decide if they want to use their bigs or Marcus Morris Sr. Neither look spectacular. Paul George and Tyronn Lue are the two keys to LA’s success. George seems to have gotten his playoff reputation off his back which is great to see. This year it comes down to his ability to get up to speed from injury. On the coaching side of things, Tyronn Lue’s Clippers teams always seem to be unprepared to play come playoff time. They have frequently gone down 2-0 to other teams in previous years’ playoffs. There’s no time to make adjustments across multiple games here. Norman Powell’s return makes things a lot easier for him though. And, he has vastly more experience than Chris Finch, who’s coaching his first postseason basketball game. Expect a dogfight.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles wins 109-105
CHARLOTTE AT ATLANTA
What a fun matchup, huh? Two very fun to watch teams in this game, although I’m not sure how close it’s going to be. No John Collins hurts the Hawks certainly, but it might not matter too much. Last year we saw the Hornets show up to the play-in completely unprepared to play. I doubt that happens again this year, but the Hawks have a lot more playoff experience with this roster. Plus, the lack of interior defense for Charlotte will result in a lot of pick and roll opportunities for Trae Young and Capela. The Hawks have the best player in the game, the experience, and the home court advantage.
PREDICTION: Atlanta wins 110-99
SAN ANTONIO AT NEW ORLEANS
Finally, the last game of the play-in runs through New Orleans. I’m not too sure what to make of this game. Both teams are playing for their right to lose in the first round to Phoenix, should they get that far. The best player in this game is Dejounte Murray, and a big performance from him could propel San Antonio to a win. Plus, having the greatest coach of all time can never hurt you in a must-win game. On the New Orleans side of things, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum both have the ability to take over a game if they get hot. I expect San Antonio to have good scheming for the Pels’ offense, so to me this game hinges on New Orleans’ players’ abilities to create offense for themselves.
PREDICTION: New Orleans wins 101-100