Adamo Marinelli
May 18, 2021
With the NBA regular season coming to a close, that means it’s time for playoffs. This year, with the shortened season, comes an extended playoff bracket, giving more teams a shot to fight for the Larry O’Brien trophy. There are a lot of interesting games in this year’s play-in tournament, which should make for an exciting few days of basketball. I will briefly analyze each article and make predictions on which teams will get the 7th and 8th seeds in each conference.
Eastern conference
7. Celtics vs 8. Wizards
The Wizards, who have arguably been the best team in the NBA recently thanks to several excellent performances from Russell Westbrook - who has the most triple-doubles in NBA history - and Bradley Beal will upset the Celtics who have not been themselves this season. Jaylen Brown’s injury also doesn’t help. Without him, Beal and Westbrook will be too much to handle. Wizards take the 7th seed.
9. Pacers vs 10. Hornets
The Pacers have been sneaky good this year and are a team that flies under a lot of people’s radar. They can make some noise with guys like Caris Levert, Malcolm Brogdon, and Domantas Sabonis. The Hornets have lost 7 of their last 9 entering their play-in game and have not looked as good as their early season form. I believe the Pacers win a close game.
7. Celtics vs 9. Pacers
The Celtics get another shot to get into the playoffs against a hungry Pacers team. The Celtics have a lot of talent on their roster, but without Jaylen Brown, they are not complete. With their depth, they will make the game against the Pacers close, but the Pacers will win a close game in overtime to secure the 8th seed after huge performances from Levert and Sabonis.
Western conference
7. Lakers vs 8. Warriors
The Warriors have been on a tear recently and Steph Curry has been responsible for a lot of it. Fresh off his 2nd career NBA scoring title, Steph Curry has been lights out from everywhere on the floor which will propel them to victory over the Lakers who have been iffy and inconsistent at best since the return of Lebron James and Anthony Davis. The Warriors will take the 7th seed.
9. Grizzlies vs. 10. Spurs
This matchup is going to be interesting. For the Grizzlies, with Jaren Jackson out with an injury, guys like Kyle Anderson have stepped up their production to help Ja Morant and Jonas Valencunas lead the way. The Spurs are looking to get back into the playoffs after their 22-year streak was ended in 2020. They have a lot of young talent on their roster including Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker to pair with veteran guard Demar Derozan. With an undersized frontcourt, I doubt they’ll get very far in the playoffs, but they will beat the Grizzlies in a close, physical, defensive, low-scoring game.
7. Lakers vs. 10. Spurs: The Spurs are a well-coached team with Gregg Popovich, however, with all the youth they have on their roster, and with such an undersized front-court after the departure of LaMarcus Aldrige, defending Lebron James and Anthony Davis will prove to be too much, even if they are not 100% healthy. The Spurs have a good future, but there is too much talent on the Lakers’ roster - filled with guys who can shoot, pass and defend well. The Lakers win by 20, they take the 8th seed.
So, after the play-in tournament, here is what I see the 16 team bracket looking like. This is going to be an interesting playoffs, for sure.
Playoffs:
Eastern conference
1. 76ers vs. 8. Pacers
2. Nets vs. 7. Wizards
3. Bucks vs 6. Heat
4. Knicks vs 5. Hawks
Western conference
1. Jazz vs. 8. Lakers
2. Suns vs. 7. Warriors
3. Nuggets vs 6. Trail Blazers
4. Clippers vs 5. Mavericks
An article predicting the round 1 matchups seen above will be out shortly. Stay tuned.
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