Then you add in some of the biggest names in the league, and it’s even better!
It’s that simple.
It all boils down to who can be better for those 48 minutes.
One cold shooting night and your season could be over.
One hot shooting night and it could spark what ends up being a deep playoff run.
So with the Play In tipping off tomorrow, let’s get you ready for the action.
They took advantage of their light schedule and built that momentum that you want to see as a fan.
At home, the Sixers are 19-5 when Embiid plays, and 17-5 when both Maxey and Embiid play.
The April Heat are not the same as the regular season Heat.
Hell even Tobias Harris is shooting 36%.
DeRozan, Vuc, Caruso, Coby White, there’s legit talent there.
For the Hawks, they’re another team that’s hard to figure out.
With Young this year, the Hawks did have a 119.5 ORTG, which is legit.
Ultimately, this matchup is a battle of styles.
If the Hawks end up playing a lick of defense, I could understand liking their chances.
What makes the matchup interesting is you imagine Caruso gets the Trae assignment, which certainly helps.
The 4 straight losses at home to BOS/PHX/ORL/SA certainly stings, as does yesterday’s blowout to the Lakers.
In terms of storylines, this matchup has it all.
There’s really just one problem though.
In their 3 losses this season they allowed 133, 139, and 124 points.
They’ve handled their business and have been one of the best teams since the break.
You then have to consider the LeBron factor.
I’m not sure why you would.
You don’t think Adam Silver wants those ratings?
The Lakers are pretty similar in volume (31.4) and percentage (37.7%).
If you remember the Lakers run in 2020, the foundation of it came on the defensive end.
In fact, it’s the fewest win total of any top 9 seed in the West.
Sacramento Kings (9 seed) vs Golden State Warriors (10 seed)
These poor Kings.
That’s all I can think of when I see this matchup.
That’s just some shit luck.
Both sides look MUCH different this time around, and their arrows are certainly pointed in different directions.
But this is not the same Warriors team we saw be unable to win on the road last year.
Plus, you don’t think the league would love a potential LeBron/Steph game if that were to happen?
If they lose this game, that’s probably it for this group.
They know what it takes to get it done.
But when you look everything, it feels like that’s the most logical result.
