The NBA Playoffs are here. The play-in tournament that was established in 2020 adds a NCAA feel to professional basketball. When it was first installed, it was not well received. LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Mark Cuban all expressed criticism of the format. The play-in tournament does make games have relevance late in the season. Four additional teams have an opportunity to get in the playoffs. Tomorrow is the battle for the 7th seed.
The Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat play in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are the home team. Miami is favored by 4.5 and the total is 226.5.The money line is -210 for the Heat and +170 for Atlanta.
Head to Head: Heat won the regular season 3-1.
The last 10 games: The Heat were 6-4 while the Hawks were 5-5. Hawks lost their last two games. Heat are 24-17 at home. Hawks are 17-24 on the road.
ATS: The Hawks and the Heat are both under .500 against the spread. Heat are 15-25-1 at home while the Hawks are 16 -25 on the road.
The Early Money: The Hawks are getting 54% of the action and the over has 53% of the plays.
The Selection: The Heat have handled the Hawks all season. Jimmy Butler always plays well in big games. Take the Heat moneyline and the under.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers play in the Western Conference. The Lakers are the home team. Lakers are favored by 6.5 and the total is 229.5. The money line is Lakers -275 and the Timberwolves +220.
Head-to-Head: Minnesota won the regular season series 2-1.
The last 10: The Lakers went 8-2 over the last 10 while the Timberwolves were 7-3. Lakers home record was 23-18. Minnesota was 20-21on the road. Lakers won their last two. Minnesota won their last three.
ATS: Lakers are 21-19-1 at home. The Wolves are 20=20 on the road.
The Early Money: 61% of the plays were on Minnesota. The line opened at 7. The over has 68% of the action.
The Selection: Minnesota is a dysfunctional team. There was a scuffle between Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson in their final game during a timeout. Earlier, Jaden McDaniels hit a wall and fractured his hand. LeBron James is playing well after returning from injury. Hard to go against him in a must-win situation. DeAngelo Russell will want to prove his former team wrong for trading him at the deadline. The Lakers minus the points and the over.
Follow me on Twitter during the 2nd quarter of each game for tweets and commentary. Tomorrow ,I will preview the 9 -10 play in games. Both of these games are win or go home!