NBA Play-In Tournament Opening Results and Final Game Previews

Discussing the first couple NBA Play-In Tournament games and a preview of the final two contests.

The NBA Play-In Tournament continued to be a success, with some tight games and plenty of buzz generated going into the real NBA Playoffs.

Let’s take a look at the first four play-in games that were played on Tuesday and Wednesday and then preview the final two play-in games scheduled for Friday.

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Western Conference Play-In

Lakers Edge Pelicans

Los Angeles earned the No. 7 seed in the West after defeating New Orleans 110-106 on Tuesday in New Orleans.

LeBron James led Los Angeles with 23 points, nine rebounds and assists, three steals and two blocks across nearly 41 minutes played.

D'Angelo Russell added 21 points, six assists and one steal and block across 36 1/2 minutes, while Anthony Davis had 20 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and a steal across 40 minutes.

Austin Reaves tallied 16 points, six assists and five rebounds over about 36 1/2 minutes. Rui Hachimura was also in double figures, tallying 13 points and one rebound, assist, and steal across just under 33 minutes. 

Gabe Vincent posted nine points, four rebounds and one assist and steal across just under 18 minutes. Taurean Prince totaled six points, four rebounds and one steal and block in 22 minutes. 

Zion Williamson powered New Orleans with 40 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one steal and block across 36 1/2 minutes, but left the game with an injury. He won’t play in Friday’s elimination game.

Trey Murphy III finished with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal and block across just under 31 minutes played. Brandon Ingram finished with 11 points and four rebounds and assists in under 25 minutes.

Herbert Jones, Larry Nance Jr. and Jose Alvarado all chipped in 10 points. Jones added two steals, Nance had 12 rebounds and five assists and Alvarado had seven assists and two rebounds. CJ McCollum was held to nine points, six assists and three rebounds in under 30 minutes. 

Kings Trounce Warriors

Sacramento eliminated Golden State in dominant fashion, winning 118-94 in Sacramento.

Keegan Murray made eight 3-pointers and finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and two steals for Sacramento. De'Aaron Fox added 24 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Harrison Barnes tallied 17 points, four rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes. Domantas Sabonis finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block in under 37 minutes. Keon Ellis contributed 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals and blocks over 38+ minutes.

Trey Lyles, Davion Mitchell and Alex Len also played outside garbage time. Lyles had seven points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal across 19 minutes, Mitchel posted five points and rebounds and three assists in 16 1/2 minutes and Len had four boards and an assist in under nine minutes.

Stephen Curry led Golden State with 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and steals and a block. 

Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody had 16 points each. Kuminga added seven boards, two assists and a block, while Moody had three rebounds and an assist.

Draymond Green totaled 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Andrew Wiggins had 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block.

Klay Thompson was held scoreless in 31 1/2 minutes of play, which played a big role in the final score.

Kings vs. Pelicans Preview

Even though Sacramento has to hit the road to face the Pelicans (at 9:30 p.m. ET), they should feel good about their chances of winning and earning the No. 8 seed with Williamson out. Still, New Orleans dominated Sacramento this season, winning all five matchups, and most in lopsided fashion.

Fox led the team with 21.2 points against New Orleans this season. Sabonis was at 18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists, so he’s another good fantasy play. Barnes averaged 14.8 points, while Murray was at 11.5 points. 

McCollum led New Orleans against Sacramento with 26 points per game this season - he’ll need a similar outing for the Pelicans to likely have a chance. Ingram averaged 24.8 points and will need to play more (even though he’s just coming back from an injury) to help the team out.

Murphy averaged 18 points, while Valanciunas was at 14.2 points and 11.4 boards. Jones averaged 12.4 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Eastern Conference Play-In

76ers Slip Past Heat

Philadelphia did just enough to escape with a 105-104 road win over Miami. The 76ers earned the No. 7 seed in the East as a result (check back later in the week for a preview of that series, and all NBA first round series).

Joel Embiid led Philly with 23 points, while also tallying 15 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 38 minutes.

Nicolas Batum hit six 3-pointers on his way to a 20-point outing. He also had five rebounds and a block in 27 1/2 minutes.

Tyrese Maxey added 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in nearly 44 minutes of action. Kelly Oubre Jr. posted 11 points, eight rebounds and one assist, steal and block in 37+ minutes, while Tobias Harris had nine points, 10 boards and four assists. 

Kyle Lowry chipped in seven points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist in nearly 29 minutes. Buddy Hield had seven points, six assists and a rebound in nearly 18 minutes.

Tyler Herro ended up leading Miami with 25 points, nine assists and two rebounds in under 41 minutes. Jimmy Butler had 19 points, five assists and steals and four rebounds in under 40 minutes, but was injured in the game. Butler won’t play in the team’s elimination game on Friday.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. accumulated 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal in 22 minutes. Bam Adebayo posted 10 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and an assist in under 31 minutes, while Kevin Love had 10 points, two boards and a steal in 17+ minutes.

Haywood Highsmith contributed nine points, six rebounds, three assists and steals and a block in 28 minutes. Delon Wright and Caleb Martin each played over 20 minutes but less than 25, scoring six and five points, respectively. Wright added six boards, two assists and steals and a block, while Martin had five rebounds and one assist. Nikola Jovic played 14 minutes, tallying five points and rebounds.

Bulls Eliminate Hawks

Chicago scored 40 points in the first quarter and eased to a 131-116 win over Atlanta in an elimination game.

Coby White erupted for 42 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals in 43+ minutes for the Bulls. Nikola Vucevic posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and two assists in under 37 minutes.

DeMar DeRozan contributed 22 points, nine assists, six rebounds and one steal and block across 44+ minutes. Ayo Dosunmu had 19 points, three assists, two blocks and a rebound in just under 41 minutes.

Javonte Green played 22+ minutes, tallying 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Alex Caruso had six points, two rebounds and assists and a steal in just 17 1/2 minutes - he suffered an ankle sprain, but is expected to play against Miami.

Dalen Terry posted four points, five rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 14 1/2 minutes, while Andre Drummond had four points and boards, three blocks and a steal in 11+ minutes.

Dejounte Murray recorded 30 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals for Atlanta. Trae Young added 22 points, 10 assists and two rebounds, while Clint Capela had 22 points, 17 rebounds and four assists.

Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals and blocks. De'Andre Hunter made just 3-of-16 shots while scoring eight points. Garrison Mathews also scored eight points, while Bruno Fernando added five points.

Bulls vs. Heat Preview

Much like the other final play-in game, the road team (Chicago) looks to have the edge because of an injury to a player on the home team (Butler). This game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET tip. The teams split four games this season, with fairly tight finishes in each contest.

DeRozan led Chicago in scoring against Miami this season, talling 22 points to go along with 4.5 assists and 4 rebounds - he’s always a pretty good fantasy option. White averaged 20.5 points, 6 assists and 5.5 rebounds and will be heavily used after his huge scoring night on Wednesday.

Vucevic averaged 17.3 points, 9.8 boards and 3 assists, while Caruso and Dosunmu were at 10 points each.

Adebayo led Miami against Chicago with 23.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game - he’ll be even more involved with Butler out.

Jaquez averaged 16.3 points, while Duncan Robinson (probable for Friday) averaged 14.8 points. Love was at 13.5 points and Martin 10.3 points. Highsmith barely produced against Chicago this season, while Herro didn’t play - those two should be more involved with Butler out.

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