This year’s NBA playoffs are a bit different with several play-in games now a feature. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect in this new format
Play-in games
Update: We were 0 for 2. The Pacers handedly beat the Hornets to eliminate them from this year’s playoffs. The Celtics also won with a huge 50 point game from star Jayson Tatum. It looks like both home teams did have the advantage after all.
Matchup: Charlotte Hornets (10) vs. Indiana Pacers (9)
Time: 5/18 @ 6:30 PM EST
Watch: TNT
All eyes will be on LaMelo Ball in his playoff debut against a depleted Pacers squad. Indiana should not be overlooked though with the presence of their own budding superstar Domantas Sabonis.
Our pick: Hornets
Matchup: Washington Wizards (8) vs. Boston Celtics (7)
Time: 5/18 @ 9:00 PM EST
Watch: TNT
The Celtics seeding doesn’t really reflect the actual matchup, as they recently lost Jaylen Brown to injury and face a Wizards squad with 2 legitimate scorers in Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook.
Our pick: Wizards
Matchup: San Antonio Spurs (10) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (9)
Time: 5/19 @ 7:30 PM EST
Watch: ESPN
Ja Morant is the obvious headliner in this series that pits one franchise that has perennially been a contender in the Spurs against a beleaguered one in the Grizzlies. The Spurs were under .500 on the season and just simply don’t have the talent to make any deep run this year.
Our pick: Grizzlies
Matchup: Golden State Warriors (8) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Time: 5/19 @ 10:00 PM EST
Watch: ESPN
This is the play-in game that is the most exciting for most fans as it pits the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers against a Golden State Warriors franchise that has been dominant over the past decade. Of course, this year’s Warriors squad has needed to rely heavily on Steph Curry while the Lakers have been faced with numerous injuries. They’ll have their pair of superstars back, however, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis ready. Curry could make it interesting but the Lakers will prevail in the end.
Our pick: Lakers
From there, the play-in round will feature the following matchups:
Matchup: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Loser
Time: 5/20 @ 8:00 PM
Watch: TNT
This would put the Hornets against the Celtics by our picks. For the same reasons as before, the Celtics not having Brown will be a huge difference maker.
Our pick: Hornets
Matchup: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser
Time: 5/21 @ TBD
Watch: ESPN
This would put the Grizzlies against the Warriors by our picks. This time, we’re going with the underdog and Curry to come out victorious to move on against the young Hornets squad.
Our pick: Warriors
After these games, the more traditional series matchup will be set. We’ll reevaluate at that point and have picks for those too.
