2022 NBA Play-In Preview

So the NBA’s answer to The Masked Singer’s double-unmasking episodes, the Play-In Tournament, starts on Tuesday.  The Cleveland Cavaliers have made it to the postseason and LeBron James has not.  It’s the first time that’s happened since 1998.  No matter what happens at least Cavs fans will have that.  The Cavs play the Brooklyn Nets with the winner clinching the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs while the L.A. Clippers play the Minnesota Timberwolves for the same spot in the Western Conference.  The losers of both of these games will then have a second shot at the actual playoffs on Friday when they battle the winner of the Hornets-Hawks in the East and Spurs-Pelicans in the West who play Wednesday night.  Here’s a preview of those games.

the Play-In Tournament

Tuesday, April 12th 7:00PM TNT

The Cavs (44-38) were one of the biggest surprises in the league this season.  They hovered near the top of the Eastern Conference much of the year but like Icarus or Matthew Dellavedova they flew too close to the sun with injuries helping them spiral into eighth place in the final East standings.  Brooklyn (44-38) on the other hand was a surprise for all the wrong reasons, struggling much of the year without the everyday services of the most famous skeptic of vaccines and round earths in the world, Kyrie Irving, and the mercurial James Harden who they traded midseason.  But they finished strong and by virtue of owning the tiebreaker with the Cavs will host them Tuesday night.

The Cavs will be missing injured center Jarrett Allen, who they acquired from these very Nets last year and going up against the maker of the biggest shot in Cavs history, the one by Kyrie that put Cleveland ahead for good in the 2016 NBA Finals.  Oh and a guy named Kevin Durant.  It might prove too much for a young Cavs team that prides itself on strong defense currently anchored by budding superstar Evan Mobley, the rookie of the year favorite.  Great offense beats great defense in basketball and beating the superstar laden Nets might be too big an ask for this Cavs team, playoff Rondo notwithstanding.  Prediction:  Nets 109 Cavs 106 

Tuesday, April 12th 9:30PM TNT

The Clippers (42-40) are entering this game winners of five straight and will be going up against the promising T-Wolves (46-36), who put together an impressive regular season.  The Clippers have been without Kawhi Leonard all year and with Paul George for only 31 games which really dampened expectations.  But even with just Playoff P they should be able to upset an exciting, young Minnesota team in what might be Karl-Anthony Towns’ biggest NBA game to date, well until the next one on Friday.  Playoff experience might be the difference but keep an eye out for how second year star Anthony Edwards, the true alpha wolf on this team plays in his first postseason game.  Prediction:  Clippers 112 Timberwolves 105 

Wednesday, April 13th 7:00PM ESPN

The Hornets (43-39) are a fun team to watch with exciting playmaking guard LaMelo Ball and the high flying Miles Bridges at forward and will be making their second appearance in a row in the Play In Tournament.  They’ll be going up against a Hawks (43-39) team which underachieved this year but made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last year.  That kind of playoff experience seems to be an edge and the Hawks are just more talented anyway.  I see Trae Young carrying them past Charlotte and knocking them out. With the Hornets losing their play-in game in back to back years, they might need to make some changes this offseason to get over the hump.  Prediction:  Hawks 118 Hornets 112

Wednesday, April 13th 9:30PM ESPN

The Spurs (34-48) are back in the postseason for the first time since 2019, a rare two year drought for a franchise that’s made the playoffs 29 out of the previous 30 years.  The Pelicans will be making their third appearance in the last ten years.  They were not expected to be here without the services of recent number one overall pick, Zion Williamson but an in season trade to acquire C.J. McCollum really helped.  You might think this means the Spurs have more playoff experience on their roster but they’re actually a pretty young team and the Pelicans have more, at least for key players.  The Pellies will fly in this one.  Prediction:  New Orleans 111 San Antonio 103  

Friday Games (times TBD)

Timberwolves vs. Spurs

I think a wonderful season for Karl-Anthony Towns will come together in this game as he’ll lead Minnesota into the real playoffs.  The man has had a tough couple years both on court and off and with D’Angelo Russell and the Ant-Man, Anthony Edwards, TWolves fans will have a lot to cheer for after this game.  As for the Spurs? Looks like it’s back to the old drawing board, Pops.  Prediction:  TWolves 117 Spurs 110

Cavs vs. Hawks

Cavs Make Playoffs!! Cavs Make Playoffs!! I think the Cavs will be able to put it together defensively to thwart Trae Young and company enough to defeat the Hawks and continue one of the biggest one season turnarounds in recent NBA history (22 games).  The future looks very bright in Cleveland.  Let’s see if they go for it all by drafting one Bronny James in 2024.  Prediction:  Cavs 109 Hawks 105     

Ben Galli covers the NBA for Pencilstorm. Follow on twitter @bengalli33