What will the NBA play-in and playoffs look like?
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
What are the play-in matchups?
The play-in tournament leading to the playoff rounds in the United States basketball league has specific rules, as not only the winner of the matchup will advance to the next round. According to the regulations, the remaining two spots will be determined as follows:
- 7th vs. 8th: the winner will directly access the playoffs.
- 9th vs. 10th: the winner will face the loser of 7th vs. 8th to qualify.
The Eastern Conference
Philadelphia 76ers (7th) vs. Miami Heat (8th): This will be a highly contested match, as the Sixers boast the leadership of Joel Embiid (34.7 points per game), and the Miami squad, last year's runner-up, will rely on the performance of Jimmy Butler. In the current season, each team has secured two wins.
Prediction: more than 49.5 two-point field goals made (odds: -133).
Chicago Bulls (9th) vs. Atlanta Hawks (10th): The Bulls will have Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan as their main players, while the Hawks, with five consecutive losses, will depend on the skillful management of Trae Young.
Prediction: more than 36.5 fouls in the game (odds: -123).
The Western Conference
New Orleans Pelicans (7th) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8th): The Pelicans finished the season on a good note, led by C.J. McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas. However, the Lakers are the more favored, due to LeBron James stepping up as the leader, supported by Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves.
Prediction: more than 53.5 assists in the game (odds: -120).
Sacramento Kings (9th) vs. Golden State Warriors (10th): The Warriors struggled more than expected to reach this stage, despite the presence of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Fearlessly on the court, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis aim to knock out one of the historic champions.
Prediction: more than 25.5 three-pointers in the game (odds: -126).
What are the confirmed playoff matchups?
The playoff round is decided in favor of the first team to achieve four wins in the best-of-seven series, and the full schedule is available in the predictions and results section of the NBA on SportyTrader. Based on the standings, the matchups will unfold as follows:
In the East
- Boston Celtics (1st) vs. Play-In Winner
- Cleveland Cavaliers (4th) vs. Orlando Magic (5th)
- Milwaukee Bucks (3rd) vs. Indiana Pacers (6th)
- New York Knicks (2nd) vs. Play-In Winner
In the West
- Oklahoma City Thunder (1st) vs. Winner of Play-In
- Los Angeles Clippers (4th) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5th)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (3rd) vs. Phoenix Suns (6th)
- Denver Nuggets (2nd) vs. Winner of Play-In
