It is tonight that the long-awaited play-in tournament begins, with two posters which will oppose the Nets and the Cavs in the East and the Wolves and the Clippers in the West, while tomorrow the Hawks will challenge the Hornets and the Pels will face Spurs. What do we think of the editor? We give you everyone’s opinion for the Western Conference, to come out very quickly, of course, when we realize that no one was right.
The predictions of the writing at the East is right here!
Giovanni
An open tournament, with different levels in my opinion but clearly four teams capable of joining the Playoffs. For the first game and this is my funny rating, I bet my kopeks on the Clippers or rather against the Wolves. Already because it makes me laugh that people think I’m anti-Minny, but especially because last week’s game against the Spurs reminded me why I didn’t trust this Minnesota team. Lack of experience, lack of professionalism in important moments, despite the arrival of a Pat Beverley who is doing good this season, and opposite we will have Clippers experienced in this kind of game and, for me, more “play -in ready”, so it goes to Clippers in the Playoffs and Wolves on waivers. In the other match I would like the heart to speak… so I let my heart speak, pikoi again. Victory for the Spurs hard, the real bandits the guys, and Gregg Popovich who is fed up with the 12/39 in aggregate of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. This is what it’s like to oppose a historic franchise to a franchise that should give way to the Sonics, yeah it trashtalks, even if during the final play-off match of this play-in it is the Wolves that I see passing against the Texans, because if the youth of San Antonio is a pleasure to see this season the intrinsic talent of the Wolves remains superior to theirs. Clippers – Grizzlies in the first round, then Wolves – Suns, and I remain available for complaints from Louisiana.
Nico M
Wolves, Clippers, Pelicans, and Spurs. Four teams for two places, and therefore two who will inevitably be disappointed. For my part, I will play it safe by betting on the band at Karl-Anthony Towns and the Angelinos. Not very original you tell me, but it’s the most likely scenario in my opinion. Why ? Because the Wolves will have their fangs in their lair in the first game of the play-in against the Clippers, and Pat Beverley will release the match of his life against his former team. The Wolves have been waiting for a qualification in the Playoffs for life and they are not going to miss it. As for the Clips, they will take advantage of their second chance to validate their ticket at home. Faced with the Pels or the Spurs, it doesn’t matter I see Los Angeles doing the job. Normally, when you have GOAT Reggie Jackson and his lieutenant Paul George in the field, not much can happen to you. More seriously, Ty Lue’s men have shown their resilience throughout the season despite the absence of their superstars, it’s not to mess up at the finish line. The collective is solid, they have a team adapted for the spring deadlines, in short for me it’s ok. Minnesota for spot 7, Los Angeles for spot 8.
Alex T
Oh this undecided play-in in the West of the country! Frankly, I’m ready to hear all the arguments, everyone has a real chance to play and the order could be completely upset within three days. As for the clash between Wolves and Clippers, my instinct pushes me towards LA The dynamic against Minny this year (3-1), the returns of Paul George and Norman Powell and the difference in experience between the two teams seems to me enough to bet on Tyronn Lue and his people. Minnesota fans don’t throw stones at me too quickly because it would be really heartbreaking not to reward the Cubs for their great regular season. Also, I am quietly waiting for the Spurs and Popovich to pluck the Pelicans before a final at the top between the Wolves and these same spurs. Some arrive with the trembling of losing everything, others with the smile of believing in a crazy comeback, but the hierarchy will hold up well behind a Karl-Anthony Towns who is tired of watching the Playoffs from his sofa. A first postseason qualification since… 2018 and it is frankly deserved. The youth of San Antonio will have to wait a little longer to rub shoulders with the top of the gratin.
Nico V
Four teams, two places to give yourself a lot of thrills during the Playoffs. The first match will be played in Minneapolis between Wolves and Clippers, and frankly, apart from the incredible brilliance of a Paul George in human torch mode, I do not see how the Sailboats can emerge victorious from a match which, in its physiognomy , gives Wolves the clear advantage. Sorry Ivica Zubac, but keeping Karl-Anthony Towns unleashed on pick and roll for a good 40 minutes… it smells like butchery. Tyronn Lue’s coaching should not be underestimated, but Minny should take this game, IMHO. On the other side, the Spurs of Gregg Popovich move to Louisiana, with the simple objective of… not being eliminated definitively. The rotation of the Texans is excellent, and in my opinion will allow the Spurs to seek this key success, especially since they have the experience of a coach in major and incomparable asset. Watch out for CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram who can get hot in a game, but there is also the strength of San Antonio, who can adapt defensively relatively quickly and hard. Finally, the duel of coaches for the last ticket to the Playoffs, we will have to rely on the strengths of each other, and I can see the Spurs once again pull out of the game collectively to get the right to compete this week. -end in postseason.
Auguste
The play-in in the West really has four franchises… different. Hungry wolves who want to prove, experienced Clippers, without Kawhi but with a Paul George who is slowly returning. The Pelicans without Zion but not without potential, and young Spurs with an all-time veteran in charge. First game? This story is going to be tense. For me it’s played with less than five points difference, and even if it would make me laugh to see Minnesota in danger while they have six more victories than the Clippers, I can see the Wolves going to forceps with KAT which close the shop at the last minute. Second match, and if the heart must speak it will go with the birds with the large beak. The desire to see this group working is great, before Zion comes back and blows the ceiling. The Spurs have their limits in the game (even if Murray is completely crazy). Thank you Gregg for the work, but we have to pass now. And so Game 3 between Clippers and Pelicans, Playoffs P and solid guys against the nice McCollum and Ingram. Here again, a tight game played in money-time. The Clippers are favorites, they have more heart AND talent. I would love to see the Pels pass but I think the experience will unfortunately make the difference. So Suns against Clippers (it smells like sweeping), and Bears against Wolves (it smells like the great Canadian forests) to complete these 1st round posters.
Tom
On a match, we can always expect surprises. Yes but there, the difference in level seems to me far too considerable between the first two and the last two of the play-in. With Paul George, the Clippers have eaten Wolves three times this season. That’s good, he’ll be there and I don’t see anyone capable of stopping him in the face. In addition to that, the dynamic is top in Los Angeles so we leave to start with a victory for the Clippers. Pelicans-Spurs? I can feel Dejounte Murray entertaining us once again, with the experience of Popovich to calm the excitement of his youngsters and ensure a close end to the match. For the last game between Wolves and Spurs, the step will be a little (a lot) too high for San Antonio. The Wolves are more reliable, more solid, in short the Wolves are stronger. KAT can warm up before the serious stuff starts, so go for an easy +15 for Minnesota at home and head to the playoffs.
So much for our predictions in the West, and we are now waiting for yours in the comments!
