Klay Thompson’s extensive experience in high-stakes NBA games underscores the importance of the play-in tournament, which concludes Friday night with high-stakes elimination games that evoke the intensity of a Game 7 scenario. In the Eastern Conference, Miami travels to Atlanta, while in the Western Conference, Thompson’s new team, the Dallas Mavericks, faces off against Memphis. The victors will secure playoff spots, while the defeated teams will see their seasons end.
Currently, 14 teams have secured playoff spots, 12 have been eliminated, and four teams remain to compete for the last two playoff berths. For Atlanta and Memphis, these matchups represent a second opportunity after failing to clinch playoff spots on Tuesday. Conversely, Miami and Dallas view this as their last chance to extend their seasons and make NBA history, as no play-in team has ever won two road games in the tournament, and no 10th-seed team has progressed to the playoffs.
Both the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks are in a similar position, having kept their playoff hopes alive with crucial road victories on Wednesday—Miami defeating Chicago and Dallas overcoming Sacramento. Their respective opponents, the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies, finished eighth in their conferences but missed opportunities to secure playoff spots earlier in the week. Atlanta lost to Orlando, while Memphis fell to Golden State.
Friday’s winners face a quick turnaround, with the Atlanta-Miami victor set to play against East’s top seed Cleveland on Sunday night, and the Memphis-Dallas winner facing West’s top seed Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon. The teams remain focused on their ultimate goal: advancing to the playoffs.
Miami at Atlanta, Friday, 7 p.m. (TNT)
- Season series: Tied, 2-2.
- BetMGM Sportsbook: Hawks favored by 1.5.
- At stake: The winner becomes the No. 8 seed and starts the playoffs at No. 1 Cleveland. The loser is eliminated.
- Outlook: Miami aims to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, potentially tying a club record. The Hawks have defeated Miami twice at home this season, with all four matchups decided by at least 10 points. The winning team will be the first from the East to enter the playoffs with a losing record in a full 82-game season since Boston’s 40-42 season in 2014-15.
Dallas at Memphis, Friday, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Season series: Grizzlies lead, 3-1.
- BetMGM Sportsbook: Grizzlies favored by 6.5.
- At stake: The winner claims the No. 8 seed and kicks off the playoffs at No. 1 Oklahoma City. The loser is eliminated.
- Outlook: This matchup is notably significant as both teams face pivotal moments. The Mavericks, having traded franchise star Luka Doncic and dealing with injury setbacks like Kyrie Irving’s absence, need a win to return to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Memphis aims to avoid a postseason miss after a strong 48-win season, a scenario that would mark a rare collapse for a team with such a record.
The Bottom Line
The outcomes of these crucial play-in matchups have broader implications for the teams involved and the NBA landscape. For Miami and Dallas, advancing could mark historic milestones in the play-in format, while Atlanta and Memphis seek redemption after missed chances earlier in the week. The competitive nature of these games underscores the intense drive and focus required at this stage of the season, promising an exhilarating finish to the play-in tournament. Fans and players alike understand the stakes, as these games not only determine playoff positioning but also shape the narratives and legacies of the current NBA season.
