The NBA playoffs are on the horizon, and it is looking competitive. There are multiple teams who look like they can take the trophy. However, nobody can be counted out. In the 2023 NBA playoffs, the eight-seeded Miami Heat made it through the play-in tournament all the way to the finals.
This season, the play-in games are stacked. Players featured here are superstars like Lebron James or Stephen Curry. Like any other season, the result of these will heavily alter the playoff landscape.
The first game played was the Sacramento Kings against the Golden State Warriors. In this game, we saw a masterclass from the Kings defense and their chemistry overall. Locking Curry down to only 22 points and keeping everyone else to under 15. The Kings Keegan Murray went off, nearly having a double-double with the stat line of 32 points and 9 rebounds. The Kings De’Aaron Fox did what he does best, racking up 24 points with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. The Kings move on to the next round of the play-in tournament
The next game played was the Los Angeles Lakers vs the New Orleans Pelicans. This game featured a unique battle of the New Generation against the Old, Zion Willamson against Lebron James. It is safe to say that this matchup did not disappoint. The Pelicans, led by Zion racked up 40 points with 11 rebounds, having a double-double stat line. Zion performed the best he could, however the Lakers all around performance got them a close victory in the end. Having 3 players over 20 points, Lebron James and Anthony Davis all around stat-lines are the reason for their win. Lebron James had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Anthony Davis had 20 points with 15 rebounds.
The Lakers advance to the NBA Playoffs, however, the Pelicans are going to be given a second chance. The New Orleans Pelicans will face off against the Sacramento Kings for the last seed in the Western Conference. My prediction for this game is that although the Kings have more all-around talent, they will not have a response for Zion Williamson. I predict that the Pelicans will overcome the Kings and advance to the 8th seed of the NBA playoffs.
Going to the Eastern Conference play-in, there are great matchups. First, we see possibly one of the most important series in the 2024 playoffs with the #8 seed Miami Heat vs. #7 seed Philadelphia 76ers. Then 2 hours and 30 minutes later, the #9 seed Chicago Bulls will face off against the #10 seed Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat are one of the most unpredictable teams in the NBA, always finding a way to have a Cinderella run. We saw it in its prime last year, going from the play-in to the NBA Finals. However, going up against the 76ers, their run could be put at risk at the very start. Looking at the matchups, I believe that the 76ers will take down the Heat. This would make the 76ers advance to the playoffs to go up against the #2 seed New York Knicks.
The Atlanta Hawks against the Chicago Bulls doesn’t have too much hype around it, it is an even match-up. Trae Young and the Hawks have had an underwhelming season, however, they have the chance to make it into the next round of the play-in. The Bulls, led by Demar DeRozan, shouldn’t be here. However, they continue to turn heads. I believe that they will surprise more people, and take down the Hawks.
Although the Bulls will have a nice run, they will inevitably fall out of the play-in against the Heat in the 2nd round of the play-in. The Bulls are good, the Heat are just much better.
