The NBA’s play-in tournament begins on Tuesday. Here’s our rankings of the teams from least to most dangerous.
8. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have been outscored by an average of two points per game since the All-Star break, the worst differential among all play-in teams. And while Chicago enters its Wednesday play-in game a three-point favorite over the Atlanta Hawks, it’s less likely to go on a deep run.
The team is without star guard Zach Lavine (foot), and while forward Demar DeRozan has stepped up in his absence, his reliance on mid-range shots plays directly into the hands of the Boston Celtics, the Bulls’ potential first-round opponent.
Boston ranked second in two-point defensive field goal percentage (52.1%) and swept the season series 3-0.
7. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta split its four 2023-24 games with Boston, and the presence of guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray could lead to a few more tense moments in a best-of-seven series. The team’s unlikely run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 is a reminder that Young can be extremely dangerous when hot.
6. Sacramento Kings
After taking a disappointing step back during the regular season, Sacramento must play in its second consecutive postseason elimination game against the Warriors. The two teams met in last year’s playoffs in a series that went seven games.
Golden State guard Stephen Curry went off for a then-Game 7 record 50 points in the 120-100 win. Sacramento finished the 2023-24 season ranked 29th in defensive three-point percentage (38.7%), which is not only terrible for its chances against the Warriors but also against the rest of the conference.
5. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are one of the biggest unknowns entering the play-in tournament. They sat above the play-in bubble for most of the stretch run but fell to No. 7 on the last day of the regular season. Zion Williamson is set to appear in his first play-in or playoff game, and he could help make New Orleans a team no one wants to face. But if he shoots 4-of-13 from the field as he did in Game 82 against the Lakers, no one will face him.
4. Miami Heat
Is Playoff Jimmy ready for another ride? Heat star forward Jimmy Butler always turns it on for the playoffs, making the Heat a threat for another deep postseason run.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The Tyrese Maxey-Joel Embiid pairing is one of the ones we’re most excited to see. Maxey excelled in an expanded role this season follow the James Harden trade, averaging 25.9 points per game and making his first All-Star team.
In Embiid’s five games since returning from a knee injury, he has averaged 30.4 points while shooting 49.5% from the field, including 48.1% from deep on 5.4 three-point attempts per game.
2. Golden State Warriors
Curry is hard to stop once, let alone four times, which teams will be forced to contend with if Golden State makes the playoffs. The Thunder await in a fascinating potential 1 vs. 8 matchup that would pit one of the youngest teams in the league against one that’s been here multiple times before and reached the mountain top.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James is going to deliver. We know that. And since the All-Star break, so has his supporting cast. Los Angeles has the league’s sixth-best post-All Star Game record at 17-9.
Its offense has led the way, ranking third during that span in both three-point percentage (39.1%) and points per game (120.3).
