On Monday, we asked for your predictions for the first two Eastern Conference play-in games, and you’ll have until tonight to place your votes on those two contests. In the meantime though, we want to give you plenty of time to make your predictions for Wednesday’s play-in games too, so we’re shifting our focus to the Western Conference today.
Here are the two Western play-in games scheduled for Wednesday:
San Antonio Spurs (10) at Memphis Grizzlies (9)
The Spurs are in the midst of an interesting transition period, having parted ways with longtime standout LaMarcus Aldridge this season as youngsters like Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Lonnie Walker took on larger roles. DeMar DeRozan remained the team’s offensive engine, but he’s in a contract year and may be playing his final games as a Spur.
The Spurs are missing starting guard Derrick White and backed their way into a play-in spot, having lost 10 of their last 12 games. However, a team led by Gregg Popovich shouldn’t be ruled out, even if San Antonio will enter this game as an underdog.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, exceeded expectations this season despite playing without Jaren Jackson Jr. for most of the year. Ja Morant, the team’s top scorer, has led the way, but Memphis is getting impressive contributions from the likes of Jonas Valanciunas, Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks, and Desmond Bane, among others.
The Grizzlies were also on a five-game winning streak before losing its regular season finale to Golden State and might have a little more momentum than the Spurs entering the play-in. This is a young team, but it’s a relatively healthy one and has shown over the last two years that it can compete in big games.
The winner of this game will advance and play on Friday for the No. 8 seed, while the loser will be eliminated from postseason contention.
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote on Grizzlies/Spurs.
Golden State Warriors (8) at Los Angeles Lakers (7)
By far the most compelling matchup of any of the first play-in games, this battle for the No. 7 seed will pit LeBron James and Anthony Davis against Stephen Curry and Draymond Green for the right to face the Suns in round one.
On paper, the defending-champion Lakers look like the obvious pick here, with James and Davis back in the lineup and the team on a five-game winning streak entering the play-in tournament. The Lakers will have home-court advantage and will be motivated to take care of business on Wednesday in order to get some rest before the first round begins. Betting sites, including BetOnline.ag, list them as the biggest favorite of the four play-in hosts.
But James and Davis only recently returned from lengthy injury absences and neither superstar has looked 100% healthy as of late. If James tweaks his ankle again or Davis’ back acts up, the Lakers’ margin of error will shrink significantly, opening the door for the Warriors to pull off the upset.
Even a healthy Lakers team could be in trouble if Curry catches fire. The NBA’s leading scorer has been playing some of the best basketball over the last two months, averaging an eye-popping 37.1 points on .493/.436/.896 shooting in 22 games since early April, despite being the focal point of every opposing defense. Preventing Curry from heating up beyond the arc will be crucial if the Lakers want to secure a win.
While the winner of this game locks up the No. 7 seed in the West, the loser will host the Grizzlies/Spurs winner on Friday for the right to earn the No. 8 seed.
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote on Lakers/Warriors.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Lakers are better than any team in the West
They are the 7th seed because the starters miss many games
And Sillivan that will come back to bite them in the butt. You can’t just turn it on when you feel like it. Warriors will defeat them Wednesday night.. but the Lakers will beat the Jazz in the first round and probably the four seed in the second round. Strange I know but that’s what’s going to go down.
For Warriors to win, Curry and Wiggins need to hit for 70 points
Lakers are top tier defensive team
Draymond, Looney and Bazemore can hit 5 points each
Don’t forget Jordan Poole and oh, let’s see.., don’t forget also about, well…, ok, maybe Curry needs to hit 50 and yes he will definitely be TRIPLE-TEAMED. Might get 50 done anyway. If guys cut to the basket they’ll get layups or open jumpers.
This guy Mulder needs to make a couple shots okay. He’s upposed to be a shooter.. well start hitting some shots buddy. And Bazemore needs to have the game of his life. Maybe twenty-two or twenty-five points. 5 Bombs and some dunks and layups.
Damn people really hate the lakers. Who do the warriors have other than curry that can beat the lakers??
Great gets hate
No one. Lot of knuckleheads on here.
Lakers are down right now. Good time to pick against them. They missed a lot of games so they’re not going to be on the top of their synchronicity. Good time to get beat. Then they’ll get serious and win the other play-in game against Memphis.
Warriors are hot right now. They beat Utah and Phoenix, who did not even rest guys, on consecutive nights in the last seven days. They beat Memphis who’s decent, in a must-win game. They look pretty good. If I’m ever going to pick the Warriors against the Lakers, it’s going to be this game. If they meet up later in a seven-game series.. maybe not so much LOL.
Are you saying Phoenix didn’t rest guys or Phoenix and Utah didn’t rest guys? When the Warriors played Utah neither Mitchell or Conley played.
I had heard that Mitchell had been out with a severely sprained ankle. I don’t think he’s been playing but I could be wrong? I don’t think they rested guys that’s for sure. These last few games were big. They don’t want to finish with the number two seed and play the Lakers in the first round.
With the way they’ve been playing lately, you should not underestimate them.
Besides Curry, Draymond is rolling, Jordan Poole can score, Wiggins is playing very well, and JTA & Bazemore are solid role players.
Is that enough to beat the Lakers? Maybe. But this is closer than you think
Voting as of this posting 7:30pm is about 50/50. I was surprised. MEM & LAL have clear numbers advantages.
On one hand, people could feel more confident with Pops than a young upstart and LAL has injuries.
But James will be up for GSW and Memphis will show off Deanthony Melton.