Friends in fast breaks,

We powered through 25 weeks of regular season. Now it's time for post-season, when it all really matters. THE SZN, you might say. We kick-off our run for the Larry O'Brien with the Play-In this week. Will we see a 9/10 seed steal a spot from a 7/8 seed? 

We've got 8 teams spread across 6 games. It makes for a slightly awkward Pick'em experience. We opt for picking the 4 teams to advance to the first round (apologies for introducing you to the BLANK team!). 

The 9/10 seeds (SAC, GSW, CHI, and ATL) are all immediately in do-or-die situations, losing sends them packing. If they win, they have to win a SECOND time to get in.

The 7/8 seeds (NOP, LAL, PHI, and MIA) get two shots. If they win, they're in. If they lose, they get one more shot to win and get in. Otherwise they're out too.

Now let's play!

PLAY-IN PICKS

• Playoffs Pick'em
  • Summary
  • Overall Standings
• Finals Props
  • Coming Soon

PICK STATS

Playoffs Pick'em

• 9/10 seeds should be underdogs
  • They have to win twice to make it through!
• Here's our break down:
  • PHI - 273 picks
  • LAL - 227 picks
  • MIA - 192 picks
  • GSW - 186 picks
  • NOP - 145 picks
  • CHI - 112 picks
  • SAC - 76 picks
  • ATL - 45 picks
• Notice anything?
  • Yeah, that's GSW as our second-most picked team for the West!
  • They're outstripping NOP by about 13%
• Is it confidence in GSW
  • They ended the season on a hot streak
  • They've got tons of playoff experience
• Or is it worry about NOP's health?
  • Brandon Ingram missed the final 12 games of the season
  • But he's returning tonight!
• PHI makes sense at the top
  • Without Embiid's injury, they almost certainly would have been a top 4 seed

BEST PICK COMMENTS 

@kbanaian (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "Super-chalky, but I don't see why not. "
GM says: Chalk tastes good when it hits!

@LasLiLo1432 (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "I'm going against my Kings. Guess that makes me the court jester."
GM says: Nah, that's the Hedge of Happiness! If they lose, you get your picks right. If they win, you get to watch them go for it!

@YikesVikes (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "When the NBA postseason arrives, we tend to obsess over the star players and how they might help or hurt their reputations and teams in the playoffs. But what about the coaches???? For all the coaches who are hoping to land new contracts, the postseason stakes are higher than ever — especially considering the recent spike in pay within their booming industry (example the Detroit Pistons’ gave Monty Williams a six-year, $78.5 million deal in May). Win white board mentors - the millions are there for the taking! 💲🏀💰"
GM says: FINALLY, someone focused on who REALLY matters

@LVdude (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "Lakers lose! Don’t have to watch Leflop anymore!"
GM says: And yet you picked Embiid to advance 👀

@Salroc_ (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "ez 100%"
GM says: You forgot your pz

@Sportsfan90 (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "My locks for the play in round 1 warriors lakers Hawks 76ers"
GM says: You frequently announce locks, but you never say WHY. Give us WHY @Sportsfan90!

@RedEd4 (NBA Playoffs Pick'em): "Not over thinking it, 1 win and you're in. "
GM says: *nods and points*

Yours in Roundball Rock,
The GM