With the grueling NBA regular season behind us, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is upon us: the NBA postseason! But before the playoffs can ignite, let’s settle a few scores. The NBA Play-In Tournament takes center stage, giving four teams a final shot at a playoff berth.
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The Play-In Tournament is a relatively new concept, emerging in the pandemic-stricken season of 2020. Born out of necessity, it has become an integral part of the NBA calendar, injecting excitement and suspense into the final days of the regular season.
The tournament is designed to keep the race for the playoffs competitive and discourage teams from “tanking” their performance in pursuit of higher draft picks.
How Does It Work?
The tournament is divided into two brackets:
- 7 vs. 8 bracket: The 7th and 8th-ranked teams in each conference face off. The winner of this single-elimination game advances straight to the playoffs as the 7th seed.
- 9 vs. 10 bracket: The 9th and 10th-ranked teams compete in a two-game series. The winner of the first game plays the loser of the 7 vs. 8 bracket, while the winner of that second game advances as the 8th seed.
Advantages for Higher Seeds
While it may seem unfair for higher-ranked teams to have to compete in the Play-In Tournament, they still hold some significant advantages:
- They need to win fewer games (only one in the 7 vs. 8 bracket) to advance to the playoffs.
- They have home-court advantage for their Play-In Tournament games.
Previous Success Story
Last year, the Miami Heat defied the odds and emerged as an inspiration for all Play-In teams. After losing their first game in the tournament, the Heat rallied to win the second and secure the 8th seed. Their remarkable run continued as they swept the No. 1-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and upset the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics before facing the mighty Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
This Year’s Contenders
The 2023 Play-In Tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, with the Los Angeles Lakers battling it out with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 7 vs. 8 matchup. Other teams vying for a playoff spot include the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Regardless of which teams emerge from the tournament victorious, they will face a formidable challenge against the top seeds of their respective conferences. But as we’ve witnessed before, anything is possible in the NBA, and the Play-In Tournament is a perfect example of that.
