With one of the most epic, nail-biting,
exhilarating, and dramatic regular seasons in the history of the National
Basketball Association in the books, six teams from the Eastern Conference and
six from the Western Conference have punched their tickets to the 2023 NBA
Playoffs. Two spots remain in both respective conferences where four teams in
the East and West will battle it out for those final two postseasons slots.
Here is the J-Speaks 2022-23 NBA Play-In Tournament Preview.
Eastern Conference
(8) Atlanta Hawks versus (7) Miami Heat
(41-41) (44-38)
7:30 p.m. on TNT
Regular season series: Heat won 3-1.
The winner secures the No. 7 Spot in the
Eastern Conference and a First-Round date with No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics, the
loser will play the winner of No. 9 versus No. 10 Play-In tilt between the
Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls for the No. 8 Seed East.
Two seasons ago, the boys from the ATL had
a magical postseason reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for just the second
time in franchise history falling to the eventual NBA champions from the
Midwest. Last spring, the boys from “South Beach” came within one shot of their
second Finals appearance in three seasons. They fell to the eventual NBA
runner-up to the boys from “Beantown.” Both teams had a rough regular season
and now meet with a return to the postseason hanging in the balance.
In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta
Hawks made their first postseason appearance since 2017. They took down the New
York Knicks in the opening-round in five games and their All-Star floor general
Trae Young announced his arrival to superstardom to the basketball world. The
good time continued in the East Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, who they
conquered in seven games. An injury to Young in Game 4 of the Eastern
Conference Finals versus the Bucks, changed the series as the Bucks won Games
4, 5, and 6 winning the series 4-2 on their way to The Finals ultimately
winning their second title in franchise history.
Entering this season, with the 2022 offseason acquisition of All-Star guard Dejounte Murray 20.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 spg, 46.4 FG%) go alongside Young (26.2 ppg-10th NBA, 10.2 apg-2nd NBA), De’Andre Hunter (15.4 ppg, 46.1, 35.0 3-Pt.%), Bogdan Bogdanovic (14.0 ppg, 44.7 FG%, 40.6 3-Pt.%), John Collins (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 50.8 FG%), Clint Capela (12.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg-5th NBA, 65.3 FG%-4th NBA), Onyeka Okongwu (9.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and rookie AJ Griffin (8.9 ppg, 46.5 FG%, 39.0 3-Pt.%).
The Hawks had more ups and downs with
their play this past regular season than the stock market. There were nights
that they could compete with anybody and there were other nights they could be
defeated by anyone, including their Play-In opponent the Heat who took three of
the four meetings this season.
That inconsistency led to the ouster of
then head coach Nate McMillian and replaced him with Jazz's former sideline
leader Quinn Snyder, who the Hawks went first 2-0 under acting head coach Joe
Prunty and were just 10-10 under Snyder, dropping their final two games of the
regular season after winning three straight games.
To put the Hawks 2022-23 regular season
into clearer context, they went 33 straight games (Jan. 21-Apr. 5) staying
within one game of the .500 mark.
Unlike the two previous seasons when they
were dominant at home, the Hawks were a decent 24-17 at home, but just 17-24
away from State Farm Arena, including dropping both tilts at the Heat.
Under Coach Snyder have improved
offensively averaging since Feb. 28 123.3 points per game. Only the No. 1
Seeded Bucks had a higher scoring average at 123.4.
The Hawks also were a top of the league in
offensive rebounds, ranking No. 3 at 13.0 and led the league in second chance
points per game at 17.5 since the end of February. Prior to Snyder’s arrival,
the Hawks ranked No. 15 in second chance points.
If the Hawks to reach the Playoffs for a
third straight season, they will need Young to play at the level he did in the
2021 Playoffs, where in his first taste of postseason hoops averaged 28.8
points and 9.5 assists. In the 2022 Playoffs, where they Heat took down the
Hawks 4-1, Young averaged just 15.4 points and six assists on 31.9 percent from
the floor and just 18.4 percent from three-point range on 7.6 attempts.
While Young on the surface had a solid
year individually, with 40 double-doubles, he shot just 43 percent from the
field overall and 33.5 percent from three-point range, his worst since a marksmanship
of only 41.3 percent from the floor and 32.4 percent from three-point range in
his rookie season (2018-19).
While he struggled with his shot, Young
had consistently got to the foul line this regular season averaging 8.8 free
throw attempts per game, his second highest of his career (9.3 free throw
attempts in 2019-20).
Three seasons back in the NBA’s restart in
Orlando, FL, the Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals, but fell to the eventual
NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers 4-2. Two seasons back, the Heat’s march back to
the title round was cut short in a four-game sweep to the aforementioned NBA
champion Bucks. Last spring, the Heat, who were the No. 1 Seed in the East came
within one jump shot of getting back to The Finals, only to fall to the eventual
NBA runner-up Boston Celtics in the East Finals in seven games.
Injuries and an inconsistent offensive
production are two main reasons the Miami Heat are having to earn their ticket
to the Eastern Conference Playoff party via the Play-In Tournament.
The headliners for the Southeast Division
champion Heat are All-Stars Jimmy Butler (22.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.8 spg,
53.9 FG%, 35.0 3-Pt.%) and Bam Adebayo (20.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 54.0 FG%), and
reigning Kia Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro (20.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 37.8
3-Pt.%). Butler, Adebayo, and Herro were just one out of five trios to average
20 points apiece this past regular
season.
Butler has especially stepped up post
All-Star break averaging 26.1 points, 6.1 boards and 5.3 assists in March. He
followed that up by averaging in the final three games of the regular season in
April of 28.7 points, 8.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals on 75 percent
from the field and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe on 9.3 attempts.
The question for the Heat is who will step
up to add some extra offensive punch alongside Butler?
Conventional wisdom says Adebayo, who
registered a career-high 11 30-plus point games during 2022-23. To put that
into context, the former Kentucky Wildcat totaled six 30-plus point games
entering this season, with of them coming in 2021-22. Adebayo also totaled 31
double-doubles, the third most in a season of his career, including seven games
with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. In the four-game season series against the Hawks, Adebayo averaged 24.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and four assists.
Last season, the Heat rode their
trademark tough defense, sheer will, and three-point shooting to within a
doorstep of getting back to The Finals. That high marksmanship from the
perimeter was led by Herro, Max Strus (11.5 ppg), Gabe Vincent (9.4 ppg), Caleb
Martin (9.6 ppg) Duncan Robinson, and All-Stars Kyle Lowry (11.2 ppg, 5.1 apg)
and Victor Oladipo (10.7 ppg, 3.5 apg).
This past regular season, the Heat have
been very inconsistent with their shooting and outside of Strus, who missed
just two games, Lowry, Herro, Oladipo, Robinson, Martin, and Vincent have
missed 27, 15, 40, 11, 14, 40 games due to injury, or illness. Butler also
totaled 18 missed games.
Heat’s Shooting
Percentage 2022-23
Tyler Herro: 43.9 FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.% Victor Oladipo:
39.7 FG%, 33.0 3-Pt.%
Max Strus: 41.0 FG%, 35.0 3-Pt.% Caleb Martin: 46.3 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%
Kyle Lowry: 40.4 FG%, 34.5
3-Pt.% Gabe Vincent: 40.2 FG%, 33.4
3-Pt.%
Duncan Robinson: 37.1 FG%, 32.8 3-Pt.%
That lack of perimeter punch is why the
Heat were the only team in “The Association to not average at least 110 points
in a season where scoring was at its highest in a very long time. The Heat
averaged just 109.5 points on 46 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from
three.
Herro really struggled with his shot in the season-series against the Hawks making just 35.6 percent of his shots and 21.2 percent of his three-point attempts to average 14.8 points, 6.5 boards and 5.5 assists.
That puts even more pressure on Butler to
be at his best, which he has been in his postseason career, especially with the
Heat.
Butler along with fellow perennial
All-Star Paul George are the only two active players to average 20 points with
at least 100 Playoff games under their belt who raised the points, rebound, and
assists averages in the postseason.
Jimmy Butler’s 2019-20: 22.2 PPG,
6.5 RPG, 6.0 APG, 2.0 SPG 48.8 FG%
Postseason Production 2020-21: 14.5 PPG,
7.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.3 SPG 29.7 FG%
With the Heat 2021-22: 27.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.1
SPG 50.6 FG%
Butler, who averaged 25 points, eight rebounds and 6.3 assists in three games against the Hawks in regular season though will be tangling with a very
long and high IQ defender in the aforementioned Murray.
Butler has shown no matter who is tasked
to slow him down defensively he will be up for the challenge as will his team.
Only Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox (194)
and fellow All-Star DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls (159) had more total
points in 2022-23 in clutch time than the 151 by Butler, who also shot 50.5
percent from the field with the game within five points in the final five
minutes of fourth quarter/overtime.
The other advantage that the Heat have over
the Hawks they are used to having their games decided in the final moments of
the fourth quarter/overtime. They have had 39 of their games on the season
decided by five points or less, including 17 out of their last 35 games.
The Heat also have one of the best in game
adjustors in head coach Erik Spoelstra, who has over 700 wins to speak of in
his career and his 96 career postseason wins are the eighth most in NBA Playoff
history.
Only the Dallas Mavericks (55) played more
decided in the clutch than the 54 games by the Heat, who produced a 32-22
record.
In their 106-98 victory at
the Hawks Nov. 27, 2022, the Heat took control of the game outscoring the Hawks 34-21 in the
third quarter turning a one-point lead at half to 85-71 lead after three
quarters turning an 11-point deficit into a 14-point lead.
With Butler out due to a sore knee,
Adebayo led the way with 32 points on 13/20 shooting with eight rebounds.
Martin had 20 points and nine rebounds, while Strus added 16 points making four
threes.
Collins in defeat had 23 points and 14
rebounds on 11/17 from the floor. Young had 22 points and 14 assists on 13/13
at the foul line but shot just 4/16 from the field, including 1/8 from three.
The Hawks got their payback on MLK Day winning versus the Heat 121-113 Jan. 16 on TNT, shooting 59.2
percent from the field (45/76 FGs), including 13/27 from three and 18/22 at the
foul line, with 27 assists on those 45 made shots.
Hawks led wire-to-wire up by as many as 26
points in the first half and held off a Heat rally where they outscored the
Hawks 63-51 in the second half.
Murray led the way for the Hawks with 28
points, seven assists and two steals on 11/17 shooting, including 5/8 on his
threes. He scored 12 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter. Young had 24
points and eight assists on a respectably 6/13 from the field and 3/6 from
three and 9/11 at the foul line.
What allowed the Heat to get within
striking distance of the Hawks was the home team’s 16 turnovers (Heat had 10
steals) that led to 19 Heat points. The Hawks countered that forcing 16 Heat
miscues but scored just 11 points of those turnovers.
The Heat outrebounded the Hawks in the
defeat 41-28, including 12-2 on the offensive boards. Had 30 assists on their
43 made field goals, shooting 48.3 percent for the game (43/89 FGs) but were
just 8/31 on their threes. They also outscored the Hawks 64-46 in the paint.
The Heat took the first tilt versus the
Hawks in South Beach 117-109 on Mar. 4 outscoring the Hawks 37-23 in the second
quarter to lead 66-49 at the half and led in the game by as many as 21 points.
They shot 50.6 percent from the field
(42/83 FGs) and 13/35 from three and 20/23 at the foul line, with 31 assists on
their 42 made shots. They outrebounded the Hawks 43-37, including 12-10 on the
offensive boards. Outscored the visitors from the ATL 20-17 in fastbreak
points, 54-48 in the paint and 18-14 in second chance points.
The Hawks closed the gap in the defeat
because they forced 20 Heat turnovers resulted in 20 points but had 16 miscues
of their own that the Heat turned into 19 points.6
Two days later, the Heat completed their
home-and-home sweep of the Hawks in a shootout 130-128 overcoming a 15-point
deficit twice in the opening half outscoring the Hawks 67-60 in the second
half.
Butler led the Heat with 26 points, 10
rebounds, and nine assists on 8/14 from the floor and 10/12 at the foul line.
Oladipo had 22 points on 4/7 on his threes and Martin had 21 points off the
bench, while Robinson had 14 points making three of his four triples.
Young in the loss led the Hawks with 25
points and seven assists, while Murry had 23 points and eight assists on 10/19
from the floor. Murray though went 1/6 on his triple tries, while Young too
struggled from three going 1/5. Bey who shot 3/5 from three with six rebounds
and Collins each scored 17 each, while Capela had 12 points and 10 boards off
the pine.
Hawks shot 55.4 percent from the field (51/92 FGs) but were just 9/29 on their threes compared to the Heat who shot 53.2 percent from the field (41/77 FGs), including 16/29 from three and 32-37 at the foul line, compared to the Hawks 17/23 performance at the charity stripe.
A loss by the Hawks would bring an end to
a second straight disappointing season. But would get a jump start on Coach
Snyder putting his system in place for hopefully better seasons ahead.
A loss by the Heat likely serves as a
reminder to their czar of their front office in Hall of Famer Pat Riley that
the roster as currently constructed will require a major overhaul in the
offseason, which will not be an easy task.
Lowry, 37 has one year and $30 million
left on his current deal. Robinson has three years and $60 million left on his
deal that he signed in the summer of 2021. Herro’s $120 million extension,
which he signed last offseason does not start until 2023-24 season.
Winner: Heat.
(10) Chicago Bulls versus
(9) Toronto Raptors
(40-42) (41-41)
7
p.m. on ESPN
Regular
season series: Raptors won 2-1.
The
winner plays the loser of the No. 7 versus No. 8 tilt between the Atlanta Hawks
and Miami Heat for the No. 8 Seed East. The loser’s season is over and enters the 2023 NBA Draft
Lottery.
It is one thing to get to the postseason.
It is another thing to have success in the postseason. Four years ago, the team
that calls Canada home was the last team standing as NBA champions. For the
boys from the Windy City, the closet they got to a title was 12 years ago led
by a head coach/lead guard combo that now calls the “Big Apple” home. For the
Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls, their Play-In tilt resembles a chance to
get one step closer to getting back to the postseason with the loser seeing a
disappointing season come to a conclusion and the start of many offseason
questions.
For much of the regular season, the
Toronto Raptors have been fighting uphill going from being as low as seven
games under .500 to climbing one game over .500 with a 120-100 victory at the
Charlotte Hornets on Apr. 4. They won seven of their final 10 games to secure
their spot in the Play-In Tournament.
The Raptors have been at their best this
season when they have been able to turn their opponent over and turn those
miscues into fastbreak points, ranking third in the league (17.8) and were No.
1 the NBA in points off turnovers. The Raptors also ranked No. 2 in the league
in second chance points (16.4) off their average of 12.7 offensive rebounds per
contest, which ranked No. 2 in “The Association.” On top of that, the Raptors
finished tied with the Washington Wizards at No. 5 in block shots per game at
5.2.
The Raptors were at their best in these
areas in their two victories during the season against the Bulls.
In their 113-104 triumph versus the Bulls
on Nov. 6, 2022, where they overcame a 13-point second quarter deficit, the
Raptors outrebounded the Bulls 52-46, including 23-15 on the offensive glass,
outscoring the Bulls 27-13 in second chance points. They also turned 17 Bulls
turnovers in 23 points. They also outscored the Bulls 62-38 in the paint.
In that home win versus the Bulls, the
Raptors, who trailed 30-21 after the first quarter, outscored the Bulls 92-74
over the final three quarters, including 34-19 in the second quarter and 30-22
in the fourth quarter. The Raptors also registered 11 steals and 10 block
shots, while only turning it over nine times.
The Raptors used the same formula in their
104-98 victory versus the Bulls on Feb. 28 when outscored their visitors from
the “Windy City” 80-75 over the final 36 minutes, including 34-26 in the fourth
period going from down by eight points early in the third quarter and led by as
many as nine points midway through the fourth quarter.
The Raptors in the victory outrebounded
the Bulls 47-35, including 19-6 on the offensive board. While they finished
even 42-42 in the paint, the Raptors outscored the Bulls 15-4 in second chance
points. They forced 20 Bulls turnovers, registering 11 steals and converting
those Bulls miscues into 21 second chance points and had six block shots.
The Raptors bench, which has not been a
strength for head coach Nick Nurse’s squad during the regular season was in
this contest as they outscored the Bulls reserves 39-31.
That production negated a 52.1 percent
shooting night (37/71 FGs) by the Bulls, who also went a respectable 10/25 on
their threes. In the aforementioned November 2022 setback at the Raptors, the
Bulls were also solid offensively converting 45.5 percent of their shots and
going 13/36 on their threes, while also registering 10 blocks.
In the Bulls win that came 24 hours after
their loss the night before in early November, 2022, they overcame an early
nine-point deficit in the opening period to lead by as many as 21 in the second
half of their 111-97 home win versus the Raptors, turning things around in the
third quarter where they outscored the boys from Canada 28-17 in the third. They
led by 21 points early in the fourth period of the win.
While they had 21 turnovers, with the
Raptors having 10 steals, the outscored their visitors 56-50 in the paint, 11-4
in second chance points and 16-13 in fastbreak points. The Bulls outrebounded
the Raptors 49-31 and had 30 assists on their 42 made field goals, shooting
52.5 percent (42/80 FGs) for the contest.
When the Raptors won their title over the
now defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors 4-2 in 2019, they were led by
Finals MVP in Kawhi Leonard, now with the Clippers and Kyle Lowry, now with the
Heat, and the supporting cast was now two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam and Fred
VanVleet.
Over the last two seasons, the Raptors
have been led by Siakam (24.2 ppg-career-high, 7.8 rpg, 5.8 apg-career-high, 48
FG%) and VanVleet (19.3 ppg, 7.2 apg-career-high, 1.8 spg-career-high) and both
have had the two best seasons of their careers.
The supporting cast behind Siakam and
VanVleet now is Gary Trent, Jr. (17.4 ppg, 1.6 spg, 36.9 3-Pt.%), O.G. Anunoby
(16.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.9 spg, 47.6 FG%, 38.7 3-Pt.%), and reigning 2022 Kia
Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes (15.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.8 apg, 45.6 FG%).
One of the main reasons why the Raptors
had their issues during the early portion of the regular seasons despite having
the prototypical length and speed you need to have to be successful defensively
in the NBA, they lacked some serious height and bulk in the paint.
While the likes of Chris Boucher (9.4 ppg,
5.5 rpg, 49.3 FG%) and Precious Achiuwa (9.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 48.5 FG%) had that
length to guard in the paint at times and on the perimeter via switches, they
were very light in the wallet in terms of having the kind of girth to have a
serious impact in the paint.
That is why the acquisition of Jakob
Poeltl (12.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 62.9 FG%-9th NBA) from the San Antonio
Spurs at the Feb. 9 trade deadline, out of the University of Utah filled that
whole of height and girth in the paint for the Raptors.
In his second stint with the Raptors,
choosing Poeltl No. 9 overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Utah he
averaged 13.1 points and 9.1 boards on 65.2 percent from the field, producing
eight of his 19 double-doubles on the season for the Raptors.
In the Bulls’ previously mentioned
14-point win over the Raptors as mentioned in early November 2022, VanVleet led
the way with 27 points, two steals, and two block shots on 10/19 from the
field, and 6/10 on his triple tries. Trent, Jr. had 19 points and three steals
on 7/12 shooting. That more than made up for the 13 points on just 4/12 from
the floor for Anunoby and five points, five assists, and six rebounds by Barnes
on 2/9 from the floor. Boucher went scoreless while Achiuwa had 10 points off
the bench.
The Bulls are led by their All-Star are
led by their All-Star duo of Zach LaVine (24.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.5 FG%, 37.5
3-Pt.%) and DeMar DeRozan 24.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.1 apg, 50.4 FG%). Things did not
come easy for them though against the Raptors in the regular season.
DeRozan, who was drafted No. 9 overall out
of University of Southern California by the Raptors had his struggles against
his former employer averaging just 14 points on 53.8 percent from the field but
registered 3.3 turnovers in that season series.
DeRozan in the first game at the Raptors
had 20 points but had just nine shots (7/9 FGs) and had five turnovers. In the
win versus the Raptors at the Bulls, DeRozan managed just nine points with
seven assists and six boards going just 2/6 from the field. He had 13 points on
just 5/11 shooting with three turnovers in the win over the Bulls Feb. 28.
LaVine was solid versus the Raptors in the
regular season averaging 23.5 points on 53.1 percent shooting, including 38.5
percent on his three in his two tilts against the Raptors. That scoring average
was bulked by his 30-point performance in the Nov. 2022 win versus the Raptors,
where LaVine was 11/20 from the field, going 4/8 from three with five assists
but five turnovers.
In the few times that the Bulls been at
their best this season, the tandem of LaVine and DeRozan have been aided by
All-Star center Nikola Vucevic (17.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg-6th NBA, 52 FG%),
who had 51 double-doubles on the season, Patrick Williams (10.2 ppg, 46.4 FG%,
41.5 3-Pt.%), Coby White (9.7 ppg, 44.3 FG%, 37.2 3-Pt.%), and Ayo Dosumnu (8.6
ppg, 49.3 FG%).
The problem is that head coach Billy
Donovan and his coaching staff have not always utilized the supporting cast
behind LaVine and DeRozan well.
There have been times during this season
that Vucevic was the Bulls best player and when they ran the offense through
him either in the post, the pinch-post or on the perimeter, good things
happened for the Bulls. It just was not done at a consistent clip, which led to
the inconsistent play by the Bulls all season long.
That was a main reason why the Bulls went
out and signed off waivers Chicago native Patrick Beverly. Say what you will
about his antics and ability at times to be a thorn in the side of the opponent
and at times the teams he has played on in his career, Beverly’s addition gave
the Bulls a major spark that the needed in a major way.
While the Bulls went a modest 11-8 to
close the season with the arrival of Beverly, they played with a spark and
passion on both ends at time that was lacking.
The Bulls will need that spark by Beverly
and more if they have plans to get one step closer to making it back to the
Playoffs for a second straight season.
It will not be easy because the Raptors
are a solid 27-14 at home with two of those 27 wins at Scotiabank Arena versus
the Bulls and have shown their length and aggressiveness defensively caused the
Bulls some big problems.
For the Raptors at the conclusion of their
season will have the task this offseason for lead Raptors executive Masai
Ujiri. The decision on whether to re-sign Gary Trent, Jr. who is very likely
decline his $18.9 million player option and Fred VanVleet.
With very little salary committed beyond
2023-24 season, should give the Raptors the war chest to see if they can add a
major piece in the summer of 2023 to add something alongside Scottie Barnes.
While the acquisition of Jakob Poeltl was a solid one, it is not the needle
mover where you can see that the Raptors made a move that has them in the
championship conversation.
Then there is the decision to keep O.G.
Anunoby or Pascal Siakam or add another star player to the mix.
For the Bulls, they just have not been the
same since Lonzo Ball last played on Jan. 14, 2022, due to now a third knee surgery,
which puts his 2023-24 season at risk.
That gaping hole at the lead guard spot
last season plummeted the Bulls from competing with the Heat for the top spot
in the Eastern Conference to the middle of the pack in the East Playoff bracket
and no having to make this season’s Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament.
That is not what the Bulls had in mind
when they gave up a lot of their assets in their hopes of being in the mix in
the Eastern Conference.
If their season ends on Wednesday night at
the Raptors, the Bulls could face the prospect of some major changes to the
roster, particularly with the fact that Nikola Vucevic will be an unrestricted
free agent this offseason.
Winner: Raptors.
Western Conference
(8) Minnesota Timberwolves versus (7) Los
Angeles Lakers
(42-40) (43-39)
7 p.m. on ESPN
Regular season series: Timberwolves won
2-1.
The winner clinches the No. 7 Seed West
and a First-Round date with No. 2 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The loser will play
the winner of the No. 9 versus No. 10 Play-In tilt between the New Orleans
Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 8 Seed in West.
If there is one thing the addition of the
Play-In Tournament did for the NBA, it gave teams that struggled in the early
portion of the season time to get their act together. That has not equal
playoff success for any team that been a part of the Play-In Tournament. For
the boys from the “Twin Cities” and the “City of Angels” they both crawled out
of a major hole at the start of this season and are now set to meet in L.A. in
the Play-In Round to decide who will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies in
the 2023 Playoffs.
For the Timberwolves, they have shown at
times they can beat anyone and they have also shown they can be beaten any
given night as well.
The acquisition of perennial All-Star and
perennial Defensive Player of the Year recipient Rudy Gobert (13.4 ppg, 11.6
rpg-4th NBA, 65.9 FG%-3rd NBA) back in the offseason was
supposed to be the missing piece in the Timberwolves plan to rise and be a
major force in the Western Conference.
His pairing with fellow All-Star forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns (20.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.8 apg, 49.5 FG%, 36.6 3-Pt.%) was
shaky from the beginning as they team went just 9-10 the first 19 games Towns
and Gobert played together.
That synchronization got put on hold for
the Timberwolves when Towns suffered a Grade 3 calf strain in their Nov. 28,
2022 (142-117) loss at the Washington Wizards for the next 51 games.
The Timberwolves stayed afloat because of
the emergence of first-time All-Star Anthony Edwards (24.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.4
apg, 45.9 FG%, 36.9 3-Pt.%), whose 24 30-plus point games during the regular
season were the second most such games in Timberwolves history, one short of
the 25 30-plus point games in 2013-14 by now Miami Heat All-Star forward Kevin
Love.
The Timberwolves also saw the emergence of
Jaden McDaniels (12.1 ppg, 51.7 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%) as one of the upcoming
two-way players in “The Association.” Reserve center Naz Reid (11.5 ppg, 4.9
rpg, 53.7 FG%), who went undrafted out of Louisiana State University (LSU) in
2019-20 earned a spot on the Timberwolves roster and put together the best
season of his career.
Last season the Timberwolves shocked the
world in making the 2022 Playoffs via the Play-In and had an exceptional
showing against the Grizzlies but fell in six games because they just did not
have the experience or the maturity to beat a scrappy, hustle squad in the
Grizzlies that is predicated on that.
They hoped they solved that by acquiring
veteran Mike Conley (11.9 ppg, 6.7 apg, 38.5 3-Pt.%) from the Jazz Feb. 9
seemed the right person who had that veteran leadership and calming presence
that the Timberwolves were missing.
Conley also gave the Timberwolves another
playmaker to go alongside Edwards, who averaged 4.4 per game and Kyle Anderson
(9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 50.9 FG%, 41.0 3-Pt.%) and reserve guard Jordan
McLaughlin.
Conley, Anderson, and McLaughlin became
major parts of a supporting cast that also included, the now injured Jaylen
Nowell (10.8 ppg, 44.8 FG%), Taurean Prince (9.1 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 38.1 3-Pt.%),
and Nickel Alexander-Walker, who was also acquired from the Jazz at the trade
deadline.
Timberwolves with the return of Towns in
their 125-124 win versus the Hawks, with Towns hitting the game winning free
throws in the closing seconds was the second of a four-game winning streak
(Mar. 20-29). But that was followed by a three-game skid but finished the
season with a three-game winning streak. Before that three-game winning streak,
the Timberwolves suffered a bad home loss on Apr. 2 versus the Trail Blazers
that put any hopes of finishing outside the Play-In picture.
While the Timberwolves solidified their spot
in the Play-In with a comeback win in the regular season finale versus the No.
9 New Orleans Pelicans 113-108, it came at some serious cost.
They sent Gobert to the showers in the
second quarter when during a timeout he threw a punch in the chest of Anderson
and was immediately sent not just to the showers but home.
One quarter before that, the Timberwolves
lost McDaniels to a broken hand while punching a wall in the tunnel leading
towards the Timberwolves locker room out of frustration in the opening quarter
and it was reported by ESPN.
Heading into a Play-In showdown without
three key players in Gobert, McDaniels, and Reid is not ideal, especially
against a surging Lakers squad that is looking to get back to the Playoffs
after a one-year absence.
When the Play-In Tournament was first
introduced, it was something that four-time Kia MVP and four-time NBA champion
LeBron James scoffed at. After the start to the season the Lakers had going
2-10 and staring at another prospect of another year without postseason
basketball, the Play-In Tournament gave the Lakers that necessary lifeline that
they used this season, including the Play-In.
The first part of the season for the
Lakers was centered around the continued ineffectiveness of Russell Westbrook,
injuries early and in the middle of the season to Anthony Davis and LeBron
James. Also, how ineffective the Lakers were from three-point range.
It was clear that the Lakers needed an
overhaul of the roster. Executive Rob Pelinka was able to pull several rabbits
out of his hat near and at the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
In that period of time back in February,
the Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura from the Wizards (11.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.6
FG%); D’Angelo Russell (17.8 ppg, 6.2 apg, 46.9 FG%, 39.6 3-Pt.%) and Malik
Beasley (12.7 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%) from the Timberwolves, Jarred Vanderbilt (7.9
ppg, 7.5 rpg, 54.8 FG%), from the Jazz for Russell Westbrook’s contract, and Mo
Bamba from the Magic.
Those additions alongside Austin Reaves
(13.0 ppg, 52.9 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%), Dennis Schroder (12.6 ppg, 4.5 apg), Lonnie
Walker IV (11.7 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) gave the Lakers something they have
not had until now, a balance versatile roster with shooting and playmaking
across the board. That has translated into a 14-8 mark post the Feb. 9 trade
deadline and a 16-7 record post All-Star break.
That depth came in handy without James,
who missed 13 games from Feb. 28-Mar. 24 after injuring his foot in the 111-108
triumph Feb. 26 at the Dallas Mavericks on ABC.
James returned to the lineup in a 111-108
defeat at the Bulls on Mar. 2 from that 13-game absence and helped the Lakers
to a 7-2 to close the regular season, capped by a 128-117 versus the Jazz Apr.
9 on ESPN.
With the great role the Lakers are on
coupled with the aforementioned absences by the Timberwolves, the Lakers should
come into this contest and simply dominate, especially Davis against the
Timberwolves.
Three years ago, the Lakers won their 17th
NBA title in the restart in Orlando, FL over the Heat. James who won the Bill
Russell Award for Finals MVP, becoming the first player in NBA history to win
the award with three different franchises.
Since that title, the Lakers in the four
years James has dawned the “purple and gold,” missed the postseason in 2019.
Were knocked out 4-1 in the opening round by the Suns in 2021. Missed the
Playoffs last season.
Considering that the Western Conference is
as deep and loaded as ever before, the Lakers have as good a chance of making a
serious playoff run because they have LeBron James and a supporting cast that
versatile and solid defensively and that can be major for them if they can beat
the Timberwolves and punched their ticket to the postseason for a tilt against
the aforementioned No. 2 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies.
For the Timberwolves, Towns has to stay
out of foul trouble and the supporting cast has to bring it on both ends to
make up for the loss of Gobert, McDaniels, and Reid.
Winner: Lakers
(10) Oklahoma City Thunder versus (9) New
Orleans Pelicans
(40-42) (42-40)
9:30 p.m. on ESPN
Regular season series: Pelicans won 3-1.
The winner will play the loser of the No.
7 versus No. 8 tilt between Minnesota Timberwolves versus Los Angeles Lakers for No. 8 Seed West.
The loser’s season is over and enters the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery.
Three seasons back in the restart in
Orlando, FL, the Oklahoma City Thunder led by now the starting lead guard for
the Phoenix Suns took the Houston Rockets to seven games in the opening-round
of the 2020 Postseason. That was the last time the Thunder were in the Playoffs
as they tore down their roster to build it backup via the draft. Two years
later now led by the former understudy of said starting floor general, the
Thunder find themselves two wins away from a return to the Playoffs after a
two-year absence. They will be facing the boys from “The Big Easy” who have for
the second straight season overcome injuries to key personnel and will try to
move one step closer to their second straight Playoff appearance.
When the Thunder traded Paul George for
draft picks and little know guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2019, who just
seemed like a niece piece to the Thunder’s puzzle of a becoming a playoff
perennial again down the road.
The man affectionately called SGA first
learned the ropes of being an elite guard in the NBA from then starting lead
guard in 11-time All-Star Chris Paul in 2019-20. Fast forward to this season
that hard work as well as listening to every nugget that Paul gave him is a big
reason why the fifth-year pro out of the University of Kentucky blossomed into
an All-Star for the first time back in February and has become the headline for
head coach Mark Daigneault’s team that is in position to get back to the
Playoffs for the first time since 2019-20.
In four games against the Pelicans this
season, Gilgeous-Alexander (31.4 ppg-4th NBA, 5.5 apg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6
spg, 51FG%) put up on average of 33.5 points, eight boards, four assists and
2.3 steals.
Along with SGA, the Thunder are positioned
to make it back to the Playoffs thanks to the stellar improvement of
second-year wing Josh Giddey (16.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 6.2 apg, 48.2 FG%), whose
growth as a jump shooter has allowed him to be an even more lethal as a
playmaker and rebounder.
Luguentz Dort (13.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) whose
identity as a defender that began in 2020 when against the Rockets, where he
made life very difficult for now 76ers star guard James Harden continued this
past regular season has shown steady progress at the offensive end.
The Thunder began this season behind the
eight ball when prized draft pick Chet Holmgren, No. 2 overall out of Gonzaga
got injured in a Pro-Am game.
The silver lining of Holmgren’s injury it
provided playing time for fellow rookies Jalen Williams (14.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg,
52.1 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%), No. 12 overall out of University of Santa Clara and
Jaylin Williams (5.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 40.7 3-Pt.%), No. 34 overall out of
University of Arkansas and both have played major roles in the Thunder going
from an 11-18 start to the brink of the postseason.
For the Thunder, these past two-plus
seasons have been about drafting and developing to find those core players that
can get them back to being a postseason perennial.
While they have struck gold in
Gilgeous-Alexander, the Williams, Dort and Giddey, they also have found the
likes of Isaiah Joe (9.5 ppg, 44.1 FG%, 40.9 3-Pt.%), who went from being a
little used guard with the 76ers to a supreme three-point threat for the
Thunder.
The likes of Tre Mann (7.7 ppg), Aaron
Wiggins (6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 51.2 FG%, 39.3 3-Pt.%), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (6.8
ppg, 4.2 rpg, 44.4 FG%), Lindy Waters III, and rookie Ousmane Dieng have all
contributed to the Thunder’s success during the regular season.
The first road block the Thunder have to
get past in their hopes of making it back to the Playoffs is the New Orleans
Pelicans.
At one point this season, the Pelicans
were a top the Western Conference with a 23-12 mark. Then injuries ensued for
second-year head coach Willie Green’s, particularly All-Stars Zion Williamson
and Brandon Ingram and finished the
regular season 19-28, including losing the season finale 113-108 at the Timberwolves,
which dropped them to the No. 9 spot in West Play-In.
Ingram (24.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.8 apg-career-high,
48.4 FG%, 39.0 3-Pt.%-career-high) missed 35 of the Pelicans first 55 games
mainly because of a sprained great toe.
Since returning from that early season
injury, Ingram has been on a tear both as a score and playmaker.
Brandon Ingram February: 28.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 49
FG%, 41.7 3-Pt.%
last three months March: 27.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 7.2 APG, 52.8 FG%, 39
3-Pt.%
of 2022-23 April: 28.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 8.2 APG, 49.5 FG%,
25 3-Pt.%
After registering a total of four 30-point
games his first two NBA seasons with the Lakers, Ingram, No. 2 overall in 2016
out of Duke University has registered seasons of with 11, 12, 10 and a
career-high this past regular season of 13 30-plus point games with the
Pelicans, including two of his five 40-plus point games.
The driving force behind the Pelicans
early surge atop the West was a healthy Zion Williamson (26.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.6
apg, 60.8 FG%). However, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 also out of Duke has
been sidelined since Jan. 2 with a left hamstring strain that shelved him the
final 45 games of this past regular season.
With Williamson in the lineup, the
Pelicans were a solid 17-12. Without him, they were just 25-28, including 19-26
those aforementioned final 45 games to closeout 2022-23.
Williamson has already been ruled out of
the Play-In Tournament, according to Pelicans Vice President David Griffin but
could return for the First-Round of the Playoffs if the Pelicans can get there.
The one sliver lining that the injuries to
Ingram and Williamson have done is provide playing time to the rest of the
roster and head coach Willie Green’s squad responded by winning their share of
games as a result.
Starting center Jonas Valanciunas (14.2
ppg, 10.2 rpg, 54.7 FG%) has provided scoring and rebounding registering his
fourth straight season, with 43-plus double-doubles with 43 this past regular
season after a career-high 50 in his first season with the Pelicans in 2021-22.
Backing up Valanciunas off the bench is
Willie Hernangomez (6.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 52.7 FG%), Larry Nance, Jr. (6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 61 FG%) and Jaxson Hayes, who when
called upon have provided a major presence in the paint on both ends of the
hardwood.
They have also gotten that same grit on
the perimeter from reserve forward Naji Marshall (9.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg).
Last season, the Pelicans needed a veteran
presence in the locker room and found that in the acquisition of guard CJ
McCollum (20.9 ppg, 5.7 apg, 43.7 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%) from the Portland Trail
Blazers. Along with that veteran leadership, McCollum has brought that solid
balance of being a facilitator and scorer registering at least 20 points for
the eighth straight season and averaged at least 20 points and five or more
assists per game for the fourth straight season.
The Pelicans added another veteran presence
at the Feb. 9 trade deadline with the acquisition of Josh Richardson (10.1 ppg,
36.5 3-Pt.%) from the Spurs for Devonte Graham, who has provided the Pelicans
perimeter shooting and defensive toughness against some of the best wing
scorers in the NBA.
The Pelicans over the last two seasons
have gotten great production from their draft picks and this season was no
different.
Trey Murphy III (14.5 ppg, 48.4 FG%, 40.6
30-Pt.%), No. 17 overall pick in 2021 who was primarily a shooter a season ago,
turned himself into a consistent scorer, who can not only shoot but can score
off the bounce. That allowed to go from having a single 30-point game in
2021-22 to registering five 30-plus point games this past regular season.
Herbert Jones (9.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 spg,
46.9 FG%) entered the league last season as one of the most gifted and polished
defenders. That has continued this season along with an ever improving
offensive game. Just ask the Memphis Grizzlies, who he scored a career-high 35
points against with seven boards and three blocks in their 138-131 overtime win
on Apr. 5 on 11/21 from the field, including 5/8 from three and 8/9 at the foul
line.
While he is out due to injury, reserve
guard Jose Alvarado (9.0 ppg) was the sparkplug for the Pelicans with his
ability to push the pace as well as be a disruptor at the defense end by
picking up the opposing ball handler.
In the regular season, the Pelicans and
Thunder played three thrillers, winning all three of those contests.
They took the first thriller 105-101 on
Nov. 28, 2022, overcoming an early eight-point deficit and leading by as many as
13. The Thunder rallied and were up 101-100 on a three-pointer by Robinson-Earl
with 51 seconds left in regulation before the Pelicans scored the final five
points of the game to win it by four.
Williamson in the victory had 23 points,
14 rebounds and a career-high-tying eight assists. Murphy III added 20 points,
while Alvarado, starting place McCollum as he was in health and safety
protocols had 15 points and eight assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander in the loss had 31
points and six rebounds on 16/18 at the foul line, but was just 7/21 from the
field, including 1/6 on his triple tries.
The Pelicans took the next thriller 128-125
in overtime on Dec. 23, 2022, where the Thunder overcame a 21-point deficit in
the second quarter and an 18-point deficit at the half 64-46 to lead 105-96
with 4:53 left in the fourth period.
The Pelicans surged back to tie it and
force overtime, where they outscored the Thunder 16-13 in the extra five
minutes with Murphy III, who led the way with 23 points on 5/8 from three with
five boards and two steals and McCollum, who had 17 points, 11 assists and six
boards each hit a three in the first two minutes to put the Pelicans up to
stay.
Hayes added 21 points and six rebounds off
the bench, while Marshall added 17 points and eight boards going 8/10 at the
foul line.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished a then career-high 44 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 17/29 from the field, making three of his four threes. That effort was waisted because in the closing seconds of OT down three the Thunder missed a couple of chances to pull with one.
The third thriller went to the Pelicans
again 103-100 on Feb. 13 as the visitors scored the first eight points of the
final period to go up 84-73. The Thunder rallied and closed within three with
35 seconds left but turned it over and fouled Murphy III, who made a pair of
free throws to put the Thunder up 103-98 with 09.5 seconds left in regulation.
A dunk by Jalen Williams cut the deficit to 103-100 with 05.1 seconds left. The
Thunder then forced a Pelicans turnover on the ensuing inbounds pass that put
them in position to tie it. Unfortunately, Joe’s long three in the final 01.1
seconds missed.
Ingram had 34 points in the win for the
Pelicans. Valanciunas had 14 points and eight boards. Alvarado also scored 14
and Murphy III had 12 points with three blocks and made three triples.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24
points, 10 rebounds, and five assists but was just 8/21 from the field. Jalen
Williams had 22 points and seven rebounds. Giddey had 17 points and Joe
finished with 16 points off the bench with four threes.
After losing 10 in a row (Jan. 16-Feb. 2)
coupled with injuries to key, it was hard to fathom that the Pelicans
would be in position to make a run at the Playoffs. Just like last year though,
they have been resilient and behind the stellar play of Brandon Ingram, who has
averaged 28.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists since Mar. 17 and Trey
Murphy III, who averaged 18.4 points on 42.5 percent from three-point range
post All-Star break have the Pelicans in position to make it back to the
postseason.
For the Thunder, the continued emergence
as mentioned of their headliner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander along with Josh Giddey
and Jalen Williams has the Thunder positioned to make it back to the postseason
for the first time since 2020.
The one thing that could hold the Thunder
back is postseason experience, which totals a league-low 55 playoff games, with
24 of those 55 from Feb. 9 trade deadline acquisition Dario Saric (6.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 45.8 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%) from the
Suns, who has been an infrequent part of the Thunder rotation since his
arrival.
Gilgeous-Alexander has a couple of
First-Round Playoff series under his belt but as a team the Thunder have fewer
games of Playoff experience than any team that has a Playoff series win under
their belt since the 1994 Nuggets took down the then Seattle Supersonics in the
opening-round 3-2.
For the Thunder though, this moment can
only be a sign of things to come. In 2008-09, their first season in Oklahoma
City after their move from Seattle, WA, they went 23-59. Two years later led by
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden they reached The Finals
falling to the Heat 4-1. In between, the lost a hard-fought opening-round
series to the eventual NBA champion Lakers 4-2.
With eight extra First-Round picks from recent
trades the last couple of seasons and with the return of Chet Holmgren from
injury in 2023-24, the Thunder could accelerate this rebuild and get back to
becoming a playoff perennial sooner rather than later.
It all depends on how they do in the Play-In
Round this season.
Winner: Pelicans.
Information and statistics courtesy of
3/3/2023 8 p.m. “Knicks vs Heat” Madison Square Garden Network, presented by
Chase With Mike Breen, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Bill Pidto, Wally Szczerbiak; Advanced
Statistics players/teams/general/traditional at www.nba.com;
4/10/2023 www.espn.com story, “NBA Playoffs
2023: The Stars, Stats, And Storylines That Matter Most This Postseason,” By
Jamal Collier, Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Kevin Pelton, Ohm Youngmisuk,
Tim MacMahon, Kendra Andrews, Dave McMenamin, Jose De Leon, Cesar Fernandez,
Jason Joseph, Michael Schwartz, and Matt Williams; www.statmuse.com; 4/9/2023 www.nba.com story, “2023 AT&T Play-In
Tournament Preview: Wednesday’s Matchups,” By Michael C. Wright; 4/11/2023 www.nba.com story, “2023 AT&T Play-In Tournament
Preview: Tuesday’s Matchups,” By Shaun Powell; and Players/Team Stats, Game
Stats courtesy of www.espn.com and www.nba.com.
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