PLAY IN GAME PREDICTIONS

 The NBA’s Play In Tournament begins tonight and now is time for me to analyze the match-ups and give my predictions for the initial match-ups taking place tonight and Wednesday. The first 4 games feature tremendous stars in the NBA.

Western Conference

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Clippers

The upstart Minnesota Timberwolves host the Los Angeles Clippers in the 7 vs 8 match-up.

The Clippers are 3-1 against Timberwolves this season; their lone loss coming on January 3rd a game in which Paul George did not play. With Paul George from his elbow injury earlier this season, he has given the Clippers their star player that can carry you to a win or two by himself. It will be interesting to see how the Timberwolves perform in this high stakes game defensively. In clutch time, which is defined by games that have 5 or less minutes in the game and are within 5 points or less, the Timberwolves are 20-17. Minnesota does have a winning record but they also have a young core who lack experience in big games. Also the games against the Clippers in which Paul George played have not been close. The Clippers average margin of victory being 19  points in the 3 victories against the Timberwolves this season. The Clippers will look to slow the pace down as the Timberwolves score the most points per game at 115 while the Clippers are towards the bottom of the league at 108. Also the Clippers will try to limit the amount of threes the Timberwolves will take as they are first in the league in 3 pointers made. With all that being said,  I predict the veteran Clippers will beat the Timberwolves to claim the 7th seed in the Western Conference. This means the Timberwolves would host another game to determine the 8th and final Western Conference Playoff spot.

San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans

The San Antonio Spurs visit the New Orleans Pelicans in the 9 vs 10 matchup in the Western Conference Play In. This game features some young stars including the Pelicans 

 Forward Brandon Ingram, and San Antonio’s All Star Guard Dejounte Murray, who made his first All Star team this year. The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson, their prized number 1 draft pick in 2019 who has not played this season. The Pelicans made a game changing trade prior to the trade deadline when they traded for CJ McCollum. McCollum provides another scorer who can consistently give you 20 plus points and get his own shot. The Pelicans and The Spurs are evenly matched offensively with very identical numbers offensively. However the difference comes defensively where over the last 15 games Pelicans are near the bottom of  the league. The Pelicans are allowing teams to shoot nearly 50% over the past 15 games, defensive field goal percentage . I think the Spurs will be able to keep the Pelicans in check and All Star Guard Murray will show the fans what he can do and will achieve in a Triple Double and lead the Spurs to Victory over the Pelicans.

Eastern Conference 

Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers 

The Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in a very intriguing matchup.

This features an upcoming Cavaliers term against a Nets team that has Championship aspirations. The Cavs come in without their All Star Center Jarret Allen who is out due to injury. The Cavs can have a shot if they are able to limit the Nets to one shot. All Star Point Guard, Darius Garland will do all he can to help the Cavs grab the 7th seed. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant likely will be too much for the Cavs to handle. In order for the Cavs to win they have to get Andre Drummound in foul trouble and then they can try to get use the size advantage they have against the Nets. When it is all said and done the Nets will win and claim the 7th seed and it will set up a matchup of them against the Celtics in the first round.

Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets

The Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets will be an extremely high scoring game that features very little defense. Both teams love to get up and down; they are both led by All Star Point Guards in  Atlanta’s Trae Young, and Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball. Both teams are top 10 when it comes to 3 Point Field Goal percentage and Points per game. This will be an exciting game that will produce many highlights that will be shown all over social media when it’s done. I predict the Hawks will win and Clint Capela will be the key as his rebounding ability will give the Hawks an advantage. LaMelo and Trae will put on a great show for the fans and show that this can be a rivalry for years to come.