NBA: Play-in teams primed for a deep playoff run

As the NBA regular season winds down, teams and players turn their attention to the NBA’s play-in tournament followed by the playoffs. With the world anticipating an epic showdown between two of the league’s best players, LeBron James versus Stephen Curry, and the surging Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets. Could there be upsets in the first round of the playoffs? Let’s look at which teams have the best chance to go from play-in to the second round.

Los Angeles Lakers (42-30, 7-seed): The Lakers season was decimated with injuries as stars like LeBron and Anthony Davis missing long stretches at a time. LA finds themselves in 7th place in the West, and currently hosting the play-in tournament. Despite their record, the Lakers are in a prime position to defend their championship crown. For the Lakers, their record does not dictate their success, the health of their superstars does.

LeBron made his return last Saturday against the Pacers after missing over 30 games, scoring 24 points to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds. When healthy, the Lakers can beat either the 1-seed Utah Jazz or 2-seed Phoenix Suns in a 7-game series but it won't be easy. Both the Jazz and Suns are ranked in the top-10 in defensive efficiency this season. Utah is led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Rudy Gobert, and Phoenix leans on a solid team defense.

The Lakers have their own elite defense, though, leading the league in defensive efficiency behind AD's return to the lineup. I just don't think the Jazz and Suns have enough firepower to beat LA, especially with Donovan Mitchell currently nursing a sprained right ankle. Los Angeles has a size advantage, more experience, crunch-time defense, and the two best players on the floor. That’s simply too much for a somewhat inexperienced Jazz team and a small ball Suns team, to overcome.

Golden State Warriors (39-33, 8-seed): Golden State is red-hot and peaking at the exact right time. The Warriors have won their last six games thanks to the resurgence of Andrew Wiggins, who is playing the best basketball of his career, and consistent play from Draymond Green, the Warriors bench, and scoring champion Stephen Curry, who has simply been the best player in the league lately. Their championship pedigree and experience makes them a dangerous team in the playoffs.

Especially when there's no pressure to compete for a championship this season, the hunted for the last six years have turned into the hunters. Golden State can not be taken lightly in the first round of a playoff series because of the championship experience of their two best guys. Curry exploded for 46 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds on Sunday afternoon against Memphis, to clinch the 8-seed. This gives the Warriors a good shot at upsetting their first round opponent.

However, style-wise the better matchup for Steve Kerr's team would be the Jazz. Utah is a perimeter-based team that can live and die by the 3-pointer. That style of play is not always the way to beat Golden State, especially when Curry is having an MVP caliber season. Additionally, the Jazz and Warriors are ranked 4th and 5th in defensive efficiency, respectively. In a series against Utah, Curry would be the best player on the floor and could propel them to an upset.

Washington Wizards (34-38, 8-seed): Washington is the most dangerous Eastern Conference team in the play-in tournament. This team is led by scoring race runner-up Bradley Beal, and the most athletic point guard in NBA history Russell Westbrook. The Wizards are coming off a 115-110 win in the season finale against the Charlotte Hornets, behind another Westbrook triple-double consisting of 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. They'll face Boston on Tuesday night.

Washington has a very good chance to win a first round series because they are hungry, physical, and tough, and it all starts with their two All-Stars. Westbrook has averaged a triple-double in four of the last five years, leading the league in assists this season. He plays hard every night while Beal has been on a scoring tear, capping off his great season with 25 points and six assists. So, who can the Wizards try to surprise in the first round?

Style-wise, Washington matches up better with the 76ers rather than the Nets. Brooklyn has too much offensive punch to overcome but the 76ers are a finesse team and are prone to underachieve in the playoffs. Philadelphia might have some trouble running with Wizards, which could open a window for an upset. Based on both teams’ previous playoffs history, Washington has a puncher's chance to beat the top-seeded 76ers if they were to meet up.

Charlotte Hornets (33-39 record, 10-seed): The Hornets are a young and hungry team led by the presumptive Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball. Charlotte has a tough and hard-nosed backcourt with Ball and Terry Rozier, alongside an excellent set of highflying forwards Miles Bridges, Caleb Martin, and PJ Washington. Despite all of this, it's going to take a Herculean effort for the Hornets to knock off any of the top seeds in the East. Anything in the NBA is certainly possible though.

Photo Credit: LA Times.