An Incredibly Juicy NBA Play-In Preview

The Play-In tournament starts tonight, and like the title suggests it's going to be a juicy one. This tournament could make or break several teams, and in my personal opinion this will be the best Play-In tournament we have seen to date.

The first game tonight is the Hawks vs. Heat, two teams that definitely didn't want to land in the Play-In tournament this season. The Hawks retooled their entire team this season in order to compete, and instead they find themselves in a win or go home scenario before the playoffs even start. The Heat are a team that have found playoff success throughout their Jimmy Butler era, and they have all the talent to continue finding it. However, they too have under performed this season, which is why they are here. If the Hawks don't make the playoffs there is a very good chance that we have seen the end of the Trae Young era in Atlanta. If the Heat don't make the playoffs, well let's be honest, they will have the exact same team next year. I have the Heat winning this game because I think they have the better team. Atlanta will have the best player on the floor, but Butler is close enough to lead a superior team to victory.

pc: Michael Reeves/Getty Images

The second game tonight features a battle between the Lakers and Timberwolves. The Lakers once looked like they stood no chance at making the playoffs this season, but some late season game fixing has lead them to making the Play-In tournament. The Timberwolves have also had their ups and downs this season, with their regular season finishing with a broken hand and a missed punch. Rudy Gobert tries to punch his own teammate and ends up getting himself suspended for this game, and Jaden McDaniels punches a wall so hard that he breaks his own hand. This was obviously a rigged ploy from the NBA to get the Lakers an easy matchup and a cake walk into the playoffs. I think that is exactly what's going to happen. The Timberwolves are then going to lose to whoever wins the other Western conference Play-In game.

Tomorrow night's slate begins with a game between the Bulls and the Raptors. I think this game is going to be incredibly fun to watch, as both teams desperately want to make the playoffs. This season will be a massive failure for Chicago if they miss the playoffs, and it will be a slightly less massive failure for Toronto if they miss the playoffs. I think the Bulls are the overall better team, but I like the Raptors to come out and get the win. Pascal Siakam will be the best player in this game (sorry to those who don't agree with that statement, you don't know ball) and I think that will go a long way. I actually like both of these teams to beat Atlanta in the second round, so in my mind whoever wins this will be making the playoffs.

pc: Rocky Widner/Getty Images

Finally, the final game of the first round features the Thunder and the Pelicans. The Pelicans are a team that many had easily making the playoffs this season, but after a year long battle with injuries the team fell behind. On the other hand, the Thunder were a team that most thought would be tanking once again, but they surprised us all and had a great season. I think the Thunder will win this game, because why not. They have nothing to lose, and I think these young guys would love to see some playoff action. I also believe they will go on to beat the Timberwolves after winning this game. In fact, I could see the Thunder giving the top seed Nuggets serious trouble in the first round.

pc: Getty Images

That was a very quick preview of the Play-In tournament, but its probably all you need to know. At the end of the day all of these teams, even the Lakers, are likely to be beaten easily in the first round. The Play-In tournament is a nice little teaser for the playoffs, but I'm ready for the real thing. Expect some playoff prediction blogs in the coming days.