NBA · 7 months ago

Ranking the 8 NBA Play-In Teams: Who Can Make a Playoff Run?

John Canady

Host · Writer

8) Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an entirely different version of the team they were a year ago. Billy Donovan’s squad is filled with fresh young legs who play hard regardless of their opponent. They’re not a playoff contender, but they could be a fun postseason squad, especially with the fans in the Windy City.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
1) Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors turned their fortune around after the All-Star break when they added Jimmy Butler III. Between the coaching of Steve Kerr and the championship experience of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, you can’t count out the Dubs. If the Warriors get in, they could knock off any team in the Western Conference.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +2200

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2) Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a young team who can’t seem to figure out how to get over the hump. Hoping a change at head coach may do the trick, Memphis fired Taylor Jenkins weeks before the postseason began. Despite that, the talent for the Grizzlies to make a run is there. It’ll be more about how their top players can rise to the challenge when the playoffs come around.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +17000
3) Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic seem poised for a postseason run heading into this season, but between injuries and regression from key players, they haven’t lived up to expectations. However, everyone knows that the postseason is a different game. If Jamahl Mosley can get his squad firing on all cylinders at the right time, Orlando could be a nightmare matchup for multiple teams in the East.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
4) Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings assembled a roster at the trade deadline, hoping to turn a busted season into something promising. The Kings figured things out down the stretch and did enough to find themselves in a play-in spot. Although they may not be expected to be a top contender, they have the firepower and talent to make life tough on their competition.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
5) Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade Luka Doncic ahead of his prime will forever be considered one of the most shocking moves in NBA history. Mavericks’ general manager Nico Harrison has quickly become the main villain for the fanbase, and the only way to fix that is for Jason Kidd’s squad to somehow salvage this season with a playoff run of their own. With Anthony Davis looking to prove he is still one of the top players in the world and the rest of the roster hoping to remind the fans that they represent the city on their chest too, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this team carry a chip on their shoulder if they make the postseason.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
6) Miami Heat
The Miami Heat lacks the talent to make a championship run. However, the team has proven in the past that with Erik Spoelstra's help, they can make noise regardless of the roster personnel. Don’t be shocked if the Heat find a way to make life hard for their opponent, assuming they can clinch a playoff spot.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
7) Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are familiar with pulling off upsets, and they’ve shown that all season long. Atlanta has the personnel to do precisely that if they make the postseason. By no means do I see the Hawks making a run, but they could be a sleeper to prevent a top team from pulling off a sweep to get rest ahead of Round 2.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
8) Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an entirely different version of the team they were a year ago. Billy Donovan’s squad is filled with fresh young legs who play hard regardless of their opponent. They’re not a playoff contender, but they could be a fun postseason squad, especially with the fans in the Windy City.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +100000
1) Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors turned their fortune around after the All-Star break when they added Jimmy Butler III. Between the coaching of Steve Kerr and the championship experience of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, you can’t count out the Dubs. If the Warriors get in, they could knock off any team in the Western Conference.

Odds to Win NBA Championship: +2200

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Ranking the 8 NBA Play-In Teams: Who Can Make a Playoff Run?

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