Beginning Of The End: Play-In To Play-Off

BOSTON, MA- After a grueling regular season in the NBA, it’s now playoff time. Or is it? While top contenders are resting and practicing for playoff first rounds, other seventh seeds are fighting for their team lives in this year’s playoffs. The Play-In tournaments, which determine which of these near-miss teams will enter the playoffs occur annually, but this year includes some of the most surprising teams in the league. After losing narrowly to the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday, the Miami Heat will be hosting the Chicago Bulls, who also defeated the Hawks during the following matchup. On the west coast, the New Orleans Pelicans will be hosting the Sacramento Kings after they sent Steph Curry and the Warriors home without a championship bid Tuesday night. Meanwhile, “King” Lebron James and the LA Lakers are set to face the #2 Seed Denver Nuggets after their seventh seed security in Tuesday’s matchup. But where does it all go from here? Well, the bracket will somewhat organize itself after Friday’s games finalize who will be facing a top seed, and who will be ending their season.

However, passing this crucial test is simply the beginning of the end. Each conference is bringing eight contenders to the table, as per usual, and the top seeded Celtics and Thunder are up for the challenge. This means that there’s three more rounds to ace (best of seven games) to even touch the finals court. Will the Celtics and Thunder take it all the way, or will one of these surprising underdog teams make a statement for their base? That’s what we’ll find out throughout the heated tournament series. Enjoy the season, and may the best teams win!

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