2021 NBA Play-In Preview

We made it! Here’s a quick refresher. The winner of the 7 vs. 8 game clinches the 7 seed. The *loser of 7 vs. 8 plays the *winner of 9 vs. 10 for the 8 seed. Understood? Good.

Tuesday: Eastern Conference Play-In Games.

(7) Boston vs. (8) Washington:

• The Wizards finished the season on a 17–6 run and won a wild regular season finale to clinch the 8 seed. Russ and Beal are two of the best players in the league and the play in format probably benefits talent over team. However, this WAS team can also come out flat as an old Pepsi so a key will be starting fast and limiting offensive rebounds.
• Boston has been about as disappointing as Season 2 of True Detective. Led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, the Celtics were supposed to finally supposed to take that “next” step. They were waiting in the wings! They challenged LeBron, battled Kawai and then… collapsed? Boy wonder Brad Stevens hasn’t found the right rotations and they’ve never looked in sync this year. Still, talent is king and in the city that Ben Affleck built — you can neva count out the C’s.

(9) Indiana vs. (10) Charlotte:

• I love basketball so I will watch this game but yuck. This one is a stinker. The Pacers somehow squandered a fun young team with a truly fantastic talent in Sabonis. Here’s a clip to show how awful this year has been.

• Why did the announcer have to use the word “drilled” like that. Makes me uncomfortable but no other word would have sufficed.
• Charlotte on the other hand has been super exciting. LaMelo is electric and this young team is terrifically fun to watch.

Wednesday: Western Conference Play-In Games.

(7) Los Angeles vs. (8) Golden State

• Potentially the highest rated playoff game until the Finals??
• This is STAR POWER. Two of the best human beings to ever touch a basketball in a one game showdown fort he 7 seed. If this isn’t all the justification for the play-in tournament, I don’t know what is. LeBron James has battled a weird injury for months now but actually looks healthy this time around.
• Steph Curry is on a different astral plane than the other players in the NBA. When he shoots the ball, the score keeper writes in “bucket” before the shot goes in. With a pen. Steph is so annoyingly good at shooting there’s nothing you can do except pick your jaw off the floor when he inevitably hits a 35-footer in transition.
• That’s about it for GSW. Yes the Warriors have Green and Wiggins who can contribute and Green is always going to bring it defensively. I’m not sure it will matter (here’s where you can’t point to when I’m wrong). The Lakers are a way more complete team. Built around LeBron and Anthony Davis, LA is only the 7 seed because LeBron missed so many games. This is a team built for the playoffs, built around its two super stars. It’s also so meticulously built around James and Davis that when James is out, the entire thing crumbles. Some teams can get by when stars are out, the Lakers are not one of those teams. They need LeBron and AD playing off one another for all of the role players to fully succeed in their roles.
• I think the Lakers over power GSW but Steph keeps the Warriors in it for a time.

(9) Memphis vs. (10) San Antonio:

• Of course Pop led this team to the playoffs. DeMar DeRozan is a wily vet who can still cook your favorite player. If the Spurs watched the Memphis vs. Golden State game (of course they did), I’m sure they’ll try to force Ja to shoot from the outside. If they can get Ja hiking up missiles from deep, San Antonio will be playing for the 8 seed.
• Ja Morant is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA and has a terrific career ahead of him. However, he shoots 30% from three which severely limits his game and makes him easier to defend against, especially in the playoffs.