NBA playoffs preview: Play-in predictions, first-round series guide

Are you prepared for some NBA postseason? We received a bit taster on the season’s ultimate weekend, with a couple of groups enjoying high-stakes video games that resembled playoff environments. That was significantly true within the jumbled Western Convention standings, the place the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have been locked in a sequence of big video games that decided spots six via 10 within the West hierarchy.

And now, we exhale. There are not any video games Monday, however we get two huge play-in video games on Tuesday and Wednesday earlier than the ultimate play-in for every convention on Friday; that units the bracket for the primary occasion to begin this weekend with 4 video games on each Saturday and Sunday. The primary spherical runs two weeks, with potential seventh video games on the weekend of April 27 and 28, and the bracket shrinks from there till Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals on June 6.

I’ll have a extra filled-out playoff preview later within the week, the place we will get into predictions for the later rounds and extra element based mostly on the play-in outcomes. For now, nonetheless, let’s take the ten,000-foot view on what the play-ins and first spherical appear to be.

Right here is the least it’s worthwhile to know. (All TV occasions ET.)

Play-In Predictions

West: No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., TNT

In a rematch of a recreation performed in the identical enviornment on Sunday afternoon, the Pelicans could come into this one with better motivation than their flat effort in Recreation 82. That mentioned, this appears like a foul matchup for them – they misplaced three of the 4 conferences with L.A. within the common season and have been trounced in all three defeats, together with an embarrassing 133-89 loss in Las Vegas within the in-season match semifinals.

The Pels have Brandon Ingram again after he missed 12 video games with a left knee contusion; Sunday was his first recreation since March 21. The Lakers, then again, should cross their fingers for Anthony Davis after the massive man left Sunday’s recreation with hip and again spasms.

Enjoyable truth: The Lakers outscore opponents by 3.2 factors per 100 possessions with Davis and LeBron James on the courtroom this 12 months … the very same margin by which the Pels prevailed with Ingram and Zion Williamson on the ground collectively. Regardless of the scores of the primary 4 conferences, I believe this one might be shut. I additionally suppose that someway, a way, the Pelicans’ superior depth involves bear and, with the assistance of the house crowd, they find yourself squeaking this one out.

Decide: Pelicans

West: No. 9 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 10 Golden State Warriors, Tuesday, 10 p.m., TNT

A repeat of the seven-game 2023 first-round sequence that noticed the Warriors prevail behind Steph Curry’s 50-point eruption in Recreation 7, this time the Larger Suisun Bay derby is a single-elimination affair. The Kings’ depth is threadbare after accidents to Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, whereas after a tough begin, the Warriors closed the 12 months on a 26-12 heater and have been strong when Curry and Draymond Inexperienced take the ground collectively all season (+4.8 factors per 100 possessions).

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It could be cathartic for the Kings to knock out the Warriors after what occurred final 12 months and lightweight that wonderful beam, and Inexperienced’s antics are a wild card in a one-game state of affairs. That mentioned, solely a idiot bets towards Curry in a state of affairs like this, particularly with the Kings’ accidents. The Warriors aren’t what they have been, however they’ve no less than yet another battle in them.

Decide: Warriors

East: No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Warmth, Wednesday, 7 p.m., ESPN

Final 12 months, the Warmth went from being the 7 seed coming into the play-in to creating the NBA Finals. Can the Sixers be the group to drag off that feat this 12 months? Philly slumped within the standings attributable to Joel Embiid’s prolonged absence, however the reigning MVP (for a couple of extra days, anyway) is again within the lineup and the Sixers went 29-7 in video games he and Tyrese Maxey performed in.

The groups break up the season sequence 2-2, however Embiid solely performed within the final one, a 109-105 Sixers win on April 4 when Maxey scored 37 and Embiid added 29. Don’t neglect these groups additionally performed a second-round sequence in 2022 with a lot of the identical key gamers; the Warmth principally neutralized Embiid behind Bam Adebayo’s protection and ended up successful in six video games.

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Nonetheless, I believe having Embiid and a home-court edge, and with Nick Nurse on the sideline this time, Philly has the benefit on a Miami group that hasn’t appeared like itself all 12 months and might be lacking Duncan Robinson and Josh Richardson.

Decide: Sixers

East: No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, 9:30 p.m., ESPN

Two injury-riddled groups limp into this one for the precise to a one-game shot on the Sixers-Warmth loser on Friday. Atlanta received’t have Jalen Johnson, Saddiq Bey or Onyeka Okongwu and simply returned Trae Younger from finger surgical procedure on his left hand, whereas the Bulls are with out Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams.

Atlanta additionally thinned its rotation additional with the weird transfer to not convert two-way wing Vít Krejčí to a roster contract, one thing the Hawks might have performed unilaterally. He performed no less than quarter-hour in 19 of the ultimate 20 common season video games and began 11 of them, however might be ineligible for the postseason.

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The Bulls received the season sequence 2-1, with Atlanta oddly successful the one recreation Younger missed. Chicago additionally has all-defense lock Alex Caruso to sic on one in every of Younger or Dejounte Murray. The Bulls simply don’t have a complete lot else, particularly if DeMar DeRozan can’t get cooking towards the Hawks’ lone remaining dependable wing defender (De’Andre Hunter), so I’m betting on Atlanta’s top-level offensive expertise successful the day.

Decide: Hawks

Friday: Chicago or Atlanta at Miami or Philadelphia, ESPN, Time TBD

Satirically, Chicago and Atlanta have been the groups Miami confronted within the play-in a 12 months in the past; there’s a good probability the Warmth will once more play one in every of them on Friday for the East’s ultimate playoff spot. Keep in mind, earlier than the Warmth’s magical run to the Finals, they misplaced a play-in to Atlanta when the Hawks smashed them on the offensive glass, then barely held off Chicago after trailing nicely into the fourth quarter.

Nonetheless, the Hawks are a lesser model of the group that took out Miami a 12 months in the past, not to mention the one which went to the 2021 convention finals; Miami received three of 4 towards them this 12 months. I picked Miami to host this recreation, however no matter whether or not it’s Miami or Philadelphia internet hosting, and whether or not it’s Atlanta or Chicago visiting, the Warmth ought to have an enormous benefit and advance because the eight seed.

Decide: Warmth

Friday: Sacramento or Golden State at Lakers or New Orleans, TNT, Time TBD

I’ve the Warriors enjoying the Lakers right here based mostly on the picks above, and in that case I’d lean towards choosing Los Angeles even supposing the Warriors beat the Lakers 3 times. The video games have been shut and the Lakers have been lacking Davis within the final one. The Lakers enjoying at house in a recreation of this magnitude ought to give them a slight edge. Additionally, I don’t really feel nice about projecting the Warriors to win twice on the highway to knock the Lakers out of a playoff spot; it feels nearer to a 50-50 proposition if we get Lakers-Warriors, however Los Angeles’ general pathway to the postseason is extra favorable because it will get two photographs at it.

If it’s New Orleans, I just like the Pels in both matchup. They received two of the three common season matchups towards Golden State, together with a late-season contest in San Francisco that nearly felt like a playoff recreation, and there’s a superb purpose to suppose they’d win once more. The Pels have a number of lively, harassing wing defenders to throw at Curry, and the Warriors are an previous group that will be flying throughout the nation on a brief turnaround to play at New Orleans.

The Pels could be slight favorites towards the Warriors, however they’d be huge ones towards the Kings. Sacramento was smacked 5 occasions by the Pelicans, together with defeats by 36 and 33 factors, and seemingly don’t have any matchup in any respect for Williamson. It was the primary time a group misplaced a season sequence 5-0 since 1995-96 (we received a fifth matchup relatively than the same old 4 because of the in-season match).

On the flip aspect, the Kings’ rooting pursuits within the first recreation on Tuesday couldn’t be extra apparent: The Pels personal them, however Sacramento beat Los Angeles in all 4 conferences. Domantas Sabonis has by no means misplaced to Davis as a professional in 10 profession conferences, though a few of these video games have been with him as a bit participant for the Thunder and Davis in New Orleans.

Control this if the Lakers can’t win in New Orleans on Tuesday; these are troubling matchups for them, particularly Sacramento. However I believe in a one-game state of affairs at house, James can dial up sufficient vitality for them to outlive.

Decide: Lakers

THE BRACKET IS SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/guxcNaGEFf

— NBA (@NBA) April 14, 2024

Japanese Convention First Spherical

No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia/Miami/Atlanta/Chicago (begins Sunday)

The Celtics aren’t getting sufficient respect as a title favourite after a 64-win season that included one of many highest scoring margins in NBA historical past at +11.4 per recreation. Latest playoff wobbles are doubtless the rationale it’s been so exhausting to search out Boston believers, so this spring affords an opportunity for the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown period Celtics to place these demons to relaxation.

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Boston could be a heavy favourite right here whatever the opponent, however clearly the Celtics would like the Atlanta-Chicago winner advance relatively than the Miami postseason torture for a fourth time in 5 seasons, or alternatively having Embiid pound their bigs for 2 weeks and put on down their frontcourt for future rounds. The skinny and traditionally frail Kristaps Porziņģis and the 37-year-old Al Horford may not take pleasure in this task.

No. 2 New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia or Miami (begins Saturday)

No matter opponent, this appears like probably the most compelling first-round sequence. The Knicks and Warmth have had many bloody wars via the years, most just lately final season’s second-round sequence that Miami received in six video games. In the meantime, a Knicks-Sixers Acela sequence (quicker than the Turnpike!) would match Embiid towards a rising drive within the Knicks.

New York received’t have Julius Randle, however the Knicks have a brand new go-to man in star guard Jalen Brunson, a fringe defensive ace in OG Anunoby and plentiful capturing on the perimeter. New York would in all probability relatively face Miami and use Anunoby on Jimmy Butler, however the Knicks received three of 4 towards Philadelphia and two of three towards the Warmth. Both approach, they need to be good with Brunson attacking.

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The place Knicks followers may not be as snug is with coach Tom Thibodeau’s playoff historical past, particularly if he’s drawn into one other matchup towards Miami’s Erik Spoelstra. However this appears like a unique Knicks group, an satisfying bunch that defends and shares the ball and has completely obliterated opponents within the 23 video games Anunoby has performed since being acquired from Toronto.

No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers (begins Sunday)

Might we’ve got an upset bracket right here? The Bucks misplaced their ultimate regular-season recreation and in consequence received the one matchup they in all probability didn’t need, going through an Indiana group that beat them 4 of 5 occasions within the common season, together with on the in-season match semifinals in Las Vegas.

All 5 conferences have been earlier than Jan. 3, however the Bucks solely went 17-19 of their ultimate 36 video games and can enter this sequence with well being questions after Giannis Antetokounmpo missed their ultimate three video games with a calf pressure. Khris Middleton is seemingly completely questionable, and several other Bucks veterans have tailed off dramatically over the previous two to a few seasons. The comparative latest playoff histories of coaches Rick Carlisle and Doc Rivers additionally wouldn’t appear to favor the Bucks.

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If Indiana goes to drag this off, it wants the early-season model of Tyrese Haliburton and never the one who labored via a lot of February and March with the after-effects of a hamstring damage. Commerce deadline pickup Pascal Siakam didn’t play in any of the 5 video games towards Milwaukee, however he raises Indiana’s ceiling and offers it one other potential Giannis defender.

Now, can the Pacers’ Twenty fourth-ranked protection get any stops? Going through a Damian Lillard pick-and-roll with Antetokounmpo screening isn’t for the faint of coronary heart.

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic (begins Saturday)

Cleveland’s odd journey on Sunday noticed the Cavs appear to deliberately punt away a really winnable recreation at house towards lowly Charlotte, all to keep away from the potential for drawing Embiid within the first spherical (Cleveland would have been the second seed if New York’s time beyond regulation recreation towards Chicago had gone to the Bulls.)

The Cavs might have been seeded third, drawn Indiana within the first spherical and landed on the alternative aspect of the bracket from mighty Boston. As a substitute, they’ll face the Magic and, ought to they advance, Boston.

Cleveland break up the season sequence with the Magic (because it did with the Sixers and Pacers), so it’s not as if the Cavs had some particular benefit over Orlando apart from playoff expertise. Whereas it’s true the younger Magic squad hasn’t been right here earlier than (solely 4 gamers have ever performed within the postseason, and solely two – Joe Ingles and Gary Harris – have received a sequence), Orlando was superior with defensive hydra Jonathan Isaac on the ground, outscoring opponents by 10.8 factors per 100 possessions and permitting simply 102.1 factors per 100 possessions. He received’t begin, however he’ll be an enormous issue towards the Cavs’ big frontcourt.

Cleveland additionally has to reply its personal well being questions after late-season knee troubles slowed down Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs performed their greatest basketball throughout Evan Mobley’s damage absence, spacing the ground with extra 3-point shooters and bombing away, however guys similar to Sam Merrill and Dean Wade who made these models go may not see a lot run in these playoffs. Don’t sleep on this one: Factors will doubtless be scarce, and it might develop into a ’90s-style rock combat.

Western Convention First Spherical

No. 1 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. Lakers/New Orleans/Sacramento/Golden State (begins Sunday)

Does playoff expertise matter? We’re about to search out out for the top-seeded Thunder, who rode an MVP-caliber season from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and breakout campaigns from rookie Chet Holmgren and sophomore Jalen Williams to the highest seed within the West. Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort performed one postseason spherical as wingmen for Chris Paul within the 2020 bubble, however in any other case Gordon Hayward is the one key Thunder participant who has tasted the playoffs in any approach.

That will distinction relatively sharply in the event that they draw, say, James or Curry as a first-round opponent. Nearly as good because the Thunder have been this 12 months, this bracket presents some doubtlessly problematic opponents. The Lakers beat them 3 times, Sacramento beat them twice, and two of their wins over Golden State went to time beyond regulation.

Thunder followers will root for the Lakers to both win on Tuesday or lose on Friday, based mostly on the season sequence and the presence of James and Davis as a first-round foe. Regardless, this 1-8 sequence appears more likely to take a look at them.

No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. Lakers/New Orleans (begins Saturday)

Might we get a rematch of the Western Convention finals? Denver swept the Lakers en path to the 2022 championship and received all three conferences towards them this 12 months. Los Angeles has misplaced eight in a row to the Nuggets, who seemingly enjoyment of tormenting the Lakers with Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokić pick-and-rolls, and have the scale and defensive solutions to deal with the James-Davis combo defensively.

So whether it is scores you search, then Denver-L.A. it’s, no less than for 5 video games or so. But when as a substitute of “who’s your daddy?” chants you like a protracted, compelling sequence, may I information you towards a doable Nuggets-Pelicans pairing? The 2 groups break up their regular-season sequence, and the Pelicans’ superior depth has the potential to smash Denver’s iffy second unit throughout stretches when subs are on the ground. No one feels good about attempting to knock off Jokić, who will doubtless win his third MVP award in 4 seasons, however the Pels may really feel higher about their probabilities than most.

No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns (begins Saturday)

This can be a rematch of Sunday’s recreation the place the Suns moved as much as sixth, and moved Minnesota down to 3rd, by thrashing the Wolves in Minnesota behind a 44-point first-quarter eruption. It was one of many few occasions this 12 months it felt straightforward to consider within the Suns’ imaginative and prescient of three high-scoring shooters – Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal – with position gamers and defenders surrounding them.

Simply as in each different sport, Minnesota’s basketball playoff historical past is affected by disappointment … to the extent that the Wolves have participated in any respect. They haven’t received a playoff sequence since 2004 and have solely made the postseason 3 times since.

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‘It is the Minnesota approach’: After dream season, Timberwolves draw nightmare matchup vs. Suns

This 12 months that every one appeared set to alter, with Rudy Gobert a possible Defensive Participant of the 12 months winner and Anthony Edwards an electrifying star. Nonetheless, a dream season has been marred of late by an possession squabble and a knee damage to Karl-Anthony Cities. Cities got here again on Friday after an 18-game absence attributable to a torn meniscus however was nonetheless shaking off the rust towards Phoenix, ending with 10 factors and 5 turnovers in 29 wobbly minutes.

That is additionally a horrible matchup for the Wolves, who went 56-23 towards the remainder of the league however misplaced all three conferences towards the Suns by double figures. Can they determine how you can disguise Cities on protection towards the likes of Durant, and mash the smaller, lighter Suns on offense?

No. 4 L.A. Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks (begins Sunday)

In the event you watch one first-round sequence, make it this one. This pairing is a rematch of the most effective sequence of the 2021 playoffs, a seven-gamer that noticed a number of momentum shifts and tactical improvements, and among the many better of the 2020 bubble.

The famous person pairing of Luka Dončić and Kawhi Leonard is immediate must-see TV, and the secondary stars (Kyrie Irving, Paul George, James Harden) are equally compelling. Leonard is a two-time champion, however in any other case the important thing gamers on each groups are nonetheless battling playoff demons of various sizes. Lastly, the winner has strong odds as a sleeper to return out of the West bracket.

The Clippers received two of the three conferences, however all of them have been performed earlier than Christmas. Since then Dallas acquired P.J. Washington and, extra notably, Daniel Gafford, who has been a monstrous pick-and-roll companion feasting off lobs from Doncic. Dallas went 24-7 from mid-February till resting its key gamers the ultimate weekend.

The Clips, in the meantime, built-in Harden after a uneven begin, morphed Russell Westbrook right into a sixth man supreme and have been adequate to go 32-9 over a full half-season stretch this 12 months.

As ever, the state of the Clippers relies upon closely on whether or not Kawhi Leonard will really play within the video games. He had loved one in every of his healthiest seasons, enjoying 68 video games, till lacking the ultimate seven with knee soreness.

This, after all, harkens again to final season when Leonard amazed in Recreation 1, scoring 38 in a Clippers’ highway win, earlier than lacking the final three video games with a knee situation because the Clips meekly exited in 5. Even when Leonard comes again, can he make it via a whole sequence this time?

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