Stephen Curry and LeBron James will face off in one of the play-in games.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Hanashiro/USA Today.)
Because I am SO good at this, it’s time to make predictions for the play-in games. The playoff predictions will come after all the play-in games are done, which would be Friday. So here we go.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#7 BOSTON CELTICS vs #8 WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Celtics have had an underwhelming season and they don’t have Jaylen Brown with them. Meanwhile, the Wizards have had a resurgence despite their not-so-great record. And even if Bradley Beal is hobbled, just him being on the court is a threat. Plus Russell Westbrook is on fire right now. So…
PREDICTION: WIZARDS, 111-104.
#9 INDIANA PACERS vs #10 CHARLOTTE HORNETS
We just got word that Caris LeVert isn’t playing. Gordon Hayward is also not playing for the Hornets.
The Pacers have been very up and down but the Hornets have lost 5 in a row coming into this. We also know about the turmoil the Pacers have had the last couple of weeks. But they also have a hot Domantas Sabonis, who has really stepped up his playmaking. So…
PREDICTION: PACERS, 108-102.
#7 BOSTON CELTICS vs #9 INDIANA PACERS
I think with this one, Jayson Tatum finds a way to dominate this game. And the Celtics are going to need every single point from him to survive the season.
PREDICTION: CELTICS, 114-110.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#7 LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs #8 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
This is the marquee match-up. And this is a very dangerous game the Lakers are playing because a couple of bad days for them could mean elimination. But LeBron James and Anthony Davis seem healthy and I think they can overcome the timing, chemistry, and rust. In the meantime, expect Stephen Curry to fire away. I think anything fewer than 45 from him would be a loss. But…
PREDICTION: LAKERS, 119-116.
#9 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES vs #10 SAN ANTONIO SPURS
While I joke about Memphis’s youth, they are a DEEP team. I’m not sure if the Spurs have enough firepower. Plus we’ve seen Ja Morant take over a game should it come down to that. I’m not going to underestimate DeMar DeRozan with his scoring and playmaking but…
PREDICTION: GRIZZLIES, 118-107.
#8 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS vs #9 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
With everything on the line, I expect the stars to come out firing. Like I said, Memphis has the deeper team but this is where a superstar takes over and carries his team to a win. Curry is one of those guys.
PREDICTION: WARRIORS, 109-100.
Let’s see how this all goes down in the next few days.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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R.I.P. Nala.