Ever since the NBA has implemented the play-in tournament, it has been an instant hit. Bringing extra intrigue to the league’s final games and also another week of high intensity games that are do-or-die. Will we see an upset this year around? Let’s get into some of my predictions for the play-in tournament…
(7) Miami Heat vs (8) Atlanta Hawks
The first matchup in the play-in tournament will be Jimmy Butler vs Trae Young. The Heat and Hawks have played 4 times this regular season, with the Heat winning 3 out of 4 games and honestly, I expect them to continue that trend. Jimmy Butler in a high intensity playoff setting game? He’s one of the best at performing in those moments.
Trae Young is also a decent playoff performer, but his recent streakiness scares me. If the Hawks can shoot the lights out and force the Heat to beat them with offense, this game could go the Hawks way really easily.
In the end, Jimmy Butler could average 15 a game in the regular season, but in the playoffs, he’s a top 5 player. He’s relentless and I expect him to be a huge factor in this first game, moving the Heat into the playoffs. Although I think this game will be the Heat’s to win, I think it will be very competitive nonetheless.
Prediction: Heat 105, Hawks 99
(7) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Minnesota Timberwolves
Honestly, at first, I think this game could’ve been very competitive before I saw the chemistry of the Timberwolves in this last game. They look like in turmoil and the chemistry is not where it needs to be heading into the play-in.
The Lakers on the other hand, are on fire and one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. Also not happy with the Timberwolves losing Jaden McDaniels due to a fractured hand from … punching the wall. He’s probably their biggest x-factor with the ability to defend wings at a high level and be a great glue player, losing him will cost the T-Wolves more than people think.
Nonetheless, I expect LeBron to will the Lakers to the playoffs for a first round matchup vs the Grizzlies. The Timberwolves are going trending the wrong way while the Lakers aren’t.
Prediction: Lakers 110, Timberwolves 97
(9) Toronto Raptors vs (10) Chicago Bulls
Another play-in game that I expect to be really close. DeMar DeRozan vs the team where he became a star player. There’s a lot of experience on both sides of the teams, Raptors with Siakam and VanVleet and Bulls having veterans like DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. The two teams have matched up three times in the regular season with the Raptors up with a 2-1 record.
I think this game will be one of the first upsets we see in the play-in tournament with the Bulls winning. DeRozan will be looking to get revenge and finding a way to get his former team out of the playoffs. Expect a big game out of DeRozan and for him to perform in Toronto.
Prediction: Bulls 113, Raptors 108
(9) New Orleans Pelicans vs (10) Oklahoma City Thunder
Quite impressive for the Thunder to make the play-in tournament with an average age of 22.8. Sadly enough though, I think that’s what will cost them. The Pelicans, even without Zion, still have a lot of talent. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are star players that I expect to perform when it matters. Brandon Ingram has been on fire averaging over 27 PPG in the last 3 months. Brandon Ingram is in form in the absense of Zion Williamson and I expect him to show he’s still a star in this league.
The Thunder have a lot of decent pieces in Shai, Giddey, and Jalen Williams, but I think inexperience will hurt them in the end. CJ McCollum has been to the Conference Finals and knows what it takes to get there, he’ll have the Pelicans ready.
Prediction: Pelicans 117, Thunder 110
2nd Round of Play-In: (8) Atlanta Hawks vs (10) Chicago Bulls
The Hawks and Bulls 2nd round play-in game will be more fun than people would think with their seedings. The thing is, the 8-10 seeds are all within 1 game of each other so they’re extremely close. The Bulls and hawks were 2-2 against one another in the regular season with a lot of competitive games. Expect this game to be as competitive as the ones in the regular season.
In the end, I think the Bulls will surprise everyone and pull off another upset and move on to the playoffs, sending Trae Young and the Hawks home. I think the Bulls come together and get to the 8th seed to play the Bucks in the first round.
Prediction: Bulls 111, Hawks 108
2nd Round of Play-In: (8) Minnesota Timberwolves vs (9) New Orleans Pelicans
Again, the Timberwolves seem like they are not in the best direction after that last game and it makes me nervous to pick them in these play-in games. Although both teams have won 7 of their last 10 games, I trust the Pelicans experience more in this game.
Another game where the lower seed wins against the higher seed, the Pelicans get to the playoffs without Zion.
Prediction: Pelicans 114, Timberwolves 102
