They have the second-worst scoring defense of the franchises left playing basketball. The Wolves have an issue in the form of their defense. The Clippers have looked strong since Paul George's return, but they were unable to make a move in the standings because of the gap between them and Minnesota. The Los Angeles Clippers appear to have the best chance to win on the road in the four scheduled play-in contests. Indiana had 32 handouts Sunday, and Cleveland had 19 helpers on Friday. That could be a good sign for Garland's assist prop when those numbers are released closer to tip time.īrooklyn should win the game, but Cleveland has the potential to make it interesting and remain within the 8.5-point spread. The Nets have been hit hard in the opposing assist department. The Nets conceded more than 100 points in four of their final five regular-season games and let up 126 points to the Pacers on Sunday. Those numbers came with Evan Mobley back on the floor for Cleveland.ĭrummond, a former Cavalier, could clean up on the glass and limit any second-chance opportunities, while Brown and Seth Curry should be vital in making a handful of key shots to support Durant and Irving.īrooklyn's one flaw has been its defense. The Nets bossed the rebounding battle Friday, as Andre Drummond and Bruce Brown both hit double figures in that category. The expectation is that at least one of Brooklyn's superstars takes over Tuesday's contest and propels the Nets into a first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics. The Nets followed that up with a home win over the Indiana Pacers, in which Kyrie Irving scored 35 points. Kevin Durant took over that contest with 36 points. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference standings by way of its victory over Cleveland on Friday. Friday's victors will move on to play the top seeds. The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets face off in the East, while the New Orleans Pelicans play host to the San Antonio Spurs in the West. The losers of Tuesday's games drop into Friday's elimination contests against the winners of the No. 8 clash in the Western Conference fascinating. The Clippers are set to take on a less playoff-experienced Minnesota Timberwolves team, and they will make the game incredibly difficult on Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns et al. George's return to the Los Angeles Clippers lineup makes the No. to set up a playoff series with the Boston Celtics. The Nets used a winning run at the end of the regular season to land a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Brooklyn recently handled Cleveland inside Barclays Center, and the expectation is for it to cruise past Darius Garland and Co. The star power alone makes the play over the next few days intriguing because of what is at stake for those players and their teams.ĭurant, Irving and the Brooklyn Nets are the biggest story of the play-in round. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Paul George and Brandon Ingram are among the NBA stars who need victories in the play-in tournament to advance to the first round of the postseason.
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