The NBA wrapped up its 2021/22 regular season on Sunday, and the teams and seeds for this year’s play-in tournament have been set. Here are the play-in matchups:
Eastern Conference
Tuesday, April 12
- Game 1: Cleveland Cavaliers (8) at Brooklyn Nets (7), 7:00pm ET
- Winner secures No. 7 seed; loser plays on Friday.
Wednesday, April 13
- Game 2: Charlotte Hornets (10) at Atlanta Hawks (9), 7:00pm ET
- Winner plays on Friday; loser is eliminated.
Friday, April 15
- Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1, time TBD
- Winner secures No. 8 seed; loser is eliminated.
Western Conference
Tuesday, April 12
- Game 1: Los Angeles Clippers (8) at Minnesota Timberwolves (7), 9:30pm ET
- Winner secures No. 7 seed; loser plays on Friday.
Wednesday, April 13
- Game 2: San Antonio Spurs (10) at New Orleans Pelicans (9), 9:30pm ET
- Winner plays on Friday; loser is eliminated.
Friday, April 15
- Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1, time TBD
- Winner secures No. 8 seed; loser is eliminated.
Once the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds in each conference are set later this week, the eight first-round matchups will be finalized. Those first-round series will tip off on April 16 and 17.
Here are the top six seeds in each conference, along with the matchups that are locked in so far (and Game 1 info, per the NBA):
Eastern Conference
- Miami Heat (1) vs. No. 8 seed (play-in) ^
- Boston Celtics (2) vs. No. 7 seed (play-in) ^
- Milwaukee Bucks (3) vs. Chicago Bulls (6) ^
- Philadelphia 76ers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5) *
* Series begins on April 16.
^ Series begins on April 17.
Western Conference
- Phoenix Suns (1) vs. No. 8 seed (play-in) ^
- Memphis Grizzlies (2) vs. No. 7 seed (play-in) *
- Golden State Warriors (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (6) *
- Dallas Mavericks (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5) *
* Series begins on April 16.
^ Series begins on April 17.
Nets and hornets come out of the East
Clippers and timberwolves come out of the west
One game elimination anything can happen, foul trouble, not hot from 3? Who knows?
My prediction on first round playoffs
Raptors in 7
76ers bench is not good
Jazz in 7
Mavs bench is not good
I’d like to see the Cavs and Hornets make it. They’ve actually been two teams that I think put in the most work and hopefully that pays off. Hawks down JC doesn’t stand much of a chance. I’m fine with Kyrie going away early.
Looking for the Wolves and Spurs. Would like to see Pop in the playoffs if this is potentially his last year. And KAT has gone thru so much loss during Covid dude is due for a win and making the playoffs is a win.
Play in tournament is great, allows young teams to get involved…Any one of the Hornets, Cavs , Wolves, Spurs will be a lot of fun if they advance.. Nets are tough out…
BUCKS pulled a fast one over the CELTICS, this last day of the regular season.
Very surprising from a Championship holder.
A clear, easy choice for the BUCKS:
With the NETS, it’s the brilliance of KD and Kyrie, Seth Curry/Mills and even Dragic getting more familiar playing with KD & Kyrie and Brown/Claxton gaining more experience.
With the BULLS it’s chicken dinner.
Are you sure the Nets can even beat the Cavs?
Im sorry, I just love Kyrie so much i have to ask..
What “brilliance of Kyrie” are we talking about? Leaving your team hanging bc you want to be the center of attention?
^ Easy enough. When Kyrie’s able to play, he’s usually a handful on the offensive end.
You got something legit to say or you just live by the cap lock?
^ What’s cap lock ?
So the NBA Champs fear the Nets?
People have delusions.
BTW if Boston and Milwaukee both win out, Boston has home court. That is a pretty big gamble just to avoid the Nets…
Raptors in four
Boy, of course PHI is the clear favorite, but is hard to see them sweeping TOR… but, hey all is possible, right?
Bucks just avoided the Nets……
Kind of weak , if you ask me.
No way Celtics are beating Nets in 1st rd. Soooooo Bucks will get Nets in 2nd rd. IF they can beat the Bulls.
Celtics will beat the nets
Celtics are playing well. But KD and Kyrie have been waiting a long time for this. They are not going out in 1st rd. Don’t see it.
Kyrie and KD haven’t been waiting for this as long as Brown and Tatum.
You mean they have been playing for this longer. This will be the Nets duos First time. They will be schooled
You mean “I played 40 % of the games this year Kyrie”?
Unless KD goes off every single game, Celtics win this series easy.
Celtics do not fear the Nets, They match up well with them. They fear Giannis and want home court. That is why they won and did not tank. Celtics are playing for a title, Nets are trying to get into the game.
Even after Kyrie shows his is a selfish A hole, people still believe the hype with him.
Out of Shape Ben Simmons and Im not gonna get a Vaccine Kyrie are not the answers.
Celtics will own the Nets, you new?
Nets have two guys on the whole roster who are worth anything. They’re gonna get bounced in the first round, if they even make it passed the play in.
@Ironmonger835 Durant and Curry?
Lol Celtics are beating Nets. Nets’ defense is really weak.
Celtics have peaked at the right time. They’re tough to beat at home.
Nets and Hawks ……
Nets are beating the Celtics…….
Hawks losing to Heat
Hawks first need to get out of the play-in. I hope the Hornets beat them.
What a gift win from the Buck to the Cavs!
Yeah the odds seems to agree with me. I’m not even a betting man.
link to oddsshark.com
Pels will start their “run” of two games.
The Nets play well as a team despite their changes… Cavs have no advantage here.
Lol Atlanta Hawks were stuck on 10th seed for most of the season. This is what happens when you have a stat padder like Trae Young on your team.
I hope Hornets beat them.
DeRozan is a playoff choker. He’s about to become DeMar DeFrozen.
Kd+Kyrie (7) vs Tatum+Brown (2) will be an interesting matchup. Smart’s hard nose basketball instincts tilts the game in favor of Celts enough to make Seth Curry or Patty Mills out of their comfort zones. Celts win in 5. If classic Durant shows up or Kyrie cannot be contained, 7 for Brooklyn.
You predicted opposing results.