NBA Play-in Tournament: 4 teams that could thrive in the play-in
By Duncan Smith
Team No. 1 that would thrive in the NBA play-in: Portland Trail Blazers
Any team with Damian Lillard on it can get hot enough to win a couple games against almost anybody, let alone against teams in the middle of the Western Conference. His incendiary performances might not be enough to win a series against LeBron James’s Los Angeles Lakers or Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors, but against the New Orleans Pelicans or Memphis Grizzlies? Yeah it’s enough.
More from Boston Celtics
- Why the new and improved Celtics are a major threat
- These two Celtics will be crucial to unlocking Kristaps Porzingis’ potential
- The new-look Celtics are closer than ever to an 18th title
- 3 Reasons Boston will regret trading Marcus Smart
- Ranking the 5 best available power forwards in 2023 NBA free agency
The Blazers have better depth this season than they have in season’s past, especially on the wings, thanks to the additions of Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr., and Lillard plus CJ McCollum could find themselves as play-in MVPs (if they have such a thing, which they should). The play-in format is tailor-made for this team.
Team No. 2 that would thrive in the NBA play-in tournament: Boston Celtics
If they find themselves seeded seventh or worse and play-in participants, the Boston Celtics would likely have the best player (or even two best players) in any matchup. Jayson Tatum has had a rough season at times, but his 53-point performance on Friday night was a solid reminder that he’s still one of the most talented young players in the NBA. That matters in a playoff series, and it matters in a short set of games like the NBA play-in tournament as well.
Teams like the New York Knicks and even the Chicago Bulls (if they can ever get things pulled together post-trade deadline) could put a scare into folks, but the Celtics will be inarguably the best of the crop in the Eastern Conference if they find themselves in the mix.