# 2022 NBA Playoffs Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** basketball-nba\ **Created:** [April 11, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673 "2022-04-11T16:08:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/1 "2022-04-11T16:08:57Z")
Here’s what the NBA Playoff Bracket looks like for 2022: [![](https://i.imgur.com/a1VLNoD.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/a1VLNoD.jpg) My predictions: Western Conference Play-In Minnesota def. Los Angeles Clippers San Antonio def. New Orleans Los Angeles Clippers def. San Antonio Western Conference Round 1 Phoenix def. Los Angeles Clippers, 4-0 Memphis def. Minnesota, 4-1 Golden State def. Denver, 4-2 Utah def. Dallas, 4-2 Western Conference Semifinals Phoenix def. Utah, 4-3 Memphis def. Golden State, 4-2 Western Conference Finals Phoenix def. Memphis, 4-2 Eastern Conference Play-In Brooklyn def. Cleveland Atlanta def. Charlotte Cleveland def. Atlanta Eastern Conference Round 1 Miami def. Cleveland, 4-1 Boston def. Brooklyn, 4-3 Milwaukee def. Chicago, 4-2 Toronto def. Philadelphia, 4-3 Eastern Conference Semifinals Toronto def. Miami, 4-3 Milwaukee def. Boston, 4-2 Eastern Conference Finals Milwaukee def. Toronto, 4-2 NBA Finals Phoenix def. Milwaukee, 4-2 ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/2 "2022-04-11T16:10:32Z")
News going into the playoffs: Frank Vogel reportedly out as Lakers coach after three years and one title. Too bad Russell Westbrook won’t be so easy to get rid of. > **[Sources: Vogel out as Lakers HC after 3 seasons](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33716886/frank-vogel-coach-los-angeles-lakers-3-seasons-sources-say)** > > Frank Vogel has coached his final game with the Lakers, a decision expected to be shared with him as soon as Monday, sources told ESPN. Chris Finch and his entire coaching staff signed to multiyear extensions to remain with the Timberwolves. > **[Wolves sign coach Finch to multiyear extension](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33718467/minnesota-timberwolves-sign-coach-chris-finch-multiyear-extension)** > > Timberwolves coach Chris Finch signed a multiyear contract extension on Monday, after guiding the team to seventh place in the Western Conference and a play-in tournament berth. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/3 "2022-04-11T16:18:08Z")
Hey, remember that regular-season finale that Luka Doncic was originally not going to play in because he picked up his 16th technical foul, but it was overturned? WELP! > **[Doncic suffers calf strain in regular-season finale](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33716725/luka-doncic-leaves-dallas-mavericks-regular-season-finale-suffering-left-calf-strain)** > > Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain and left the Mavericks' regular-season finale against the Spurs in the second half on Sunday, but there is initial optimism it is not a significant injury, a source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. There is initial optimism that it is not a significant injury. [![](https://i.imgur.com/6lH5L6r.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/6lH5L6r.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/4 "2022-04-12T20:16:28Z")
I have to admit that I’m one of Those Guys who watch very little of the NBA during the regular season, but once the playoffs start, I will watch games each and every night. I suspect that it’s no accident that the playoffs start the week after the NCAA tourney concludes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/5 "2022-04-12T21:27:02Z")
Bunch of savages in this town. TO has played well this season against decent 76ers teams. Maybe we can tighten our Canadian immunization policies in time for the series? Prefer playing the 76ers to Boston, which did better versus Toronna. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/6 "2022-04-13T01:34:45Z")
Hope Brooklyn takes Boston. Was at the gym when I saw they were advertising a basketball documentary, only on some specialty channel, called _Lakers: The Winning Legacy Continues_. I feel for their fans, but admit the timing of this made me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/7 "2022-04-14T03:49:28Z")
I have a question about the play-in tournament. When it comes to tabulating players’ statistics, does the play-in tournament fall under regular season, playoffs, or a third category? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/8 "2022-04-14T15:01:41Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > When it comes to tabulating players’ statistics, does the play-in tournament fall under regular season, playoffs, or a third category? From [Sporting News](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-play-in-tournament-stats-regular-season-playoff/sptzhkwgwu7hjsto3g9xry60): > And yet, when it comes to bookkeeping, the impressive statistics from these games are floating off to the side. Rather than falling under the regular season or postseason umbrella, Play-In numbers exist in their own category. > > Why NBA Play-In Tournament stats don’t impact regular season, NBA Playoff numbers > The NBA Play-In Tournament takes place “after the regular season and before the first round of the playoffs,” per [NBA.com](http://NBA.com). Play-In Tournament stats can’t be applied to the regular season because it has already concluded, but they also aren’t added to postseason totals because Play-In teams haven’t officially qualified for the NBA Playoffs. > > So, where can one find Play-In Tournament statistics? On [NBA.com](http://NBA.com), stats are broken down by “Season Type.” Under that filter, numbers can be sorted by preseason, regular season, playoffs, All-Star and Play-In. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/9 "2022-04-15T16:30:39Z")
Breaking news: The Clippers’ Paul George has entered health and safety protocols and will not play tonight’s play-in game against the Pelicans. Just saw it on ESPN’s Facebook page. It’s not on their website yet. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/10 "2022-04-15T20:53:33Z")
Paul George has indeed tested positive for covid and will miss the play-in game. > **[Clippers' George out for play-in after positive test](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33743708/la-clippers-paul-george-tests-positive-covid-19-miss-play-game-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-sources-say)** > > LA Clippers star Paul George, who recently returned from a three-month absence, has tested positive for COVID-19, sources told ESPN, and is out for the Friday play-in game vs. the Pelicans to determine the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference... The Warriors’ Stephen Curry upgraded to probable for Game 1 against Denver. > **[Warriors list Curry (foot) as probable for Game 1](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33746312/golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry-upgraded-probable-game-1-vs-denver-nuggets)** > > The Golden State Warriors are listing star Stephen Curry as "probable" heading into the first game of their series against the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks’ Luka Doncic will miss Game 1 against the Jazz due to the calf strain he suffered in the regular-season finale. > **[Mavs rule out Doncic (calf) for Game 1 vs. Jazz](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33745273/dallas-mavericks-star-luka-doncic-miss-game-1-vs-utah-jazz-due-calf-strain-sources-say)** > > Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic will miss Game 1 on Saturday against the Utah Jazz due to his strained left calf. Significant concern remains for his availability for Game 2 on Monday, sources told ESPN. The Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen will be a game-time decision against the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in game. > **[Cavs' Allen returns for play-in game vs. Hawks](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33744820/cleveland-cavaliers-jarrett-allen-go-warm-ups-possible-return-vs-atlanta-hawks-sources-say)** > > Cavaliers All-Star center Jarrett Allen was back in the starting lineup Friday for the play-in game against Atlanta after missing 19 games with a broken left finger. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/11 "2022-04-16T17:26:21Z")
When Trae Young is facing elimination, he becomes an absolute beast! (Not that he isn’t in general, just takes it to another level) ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/12 "2022-04-16T22:53:10Z")
As if the Atlanta Hawks weren’t going to have enough trouble in their first-round playoff series with the Miami Heat, they may be without Clint Capela for it: > **[Sources: Hawks' Capela to miss at least a week](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33751565/atlanta-hawks-center-clint-capela-injured-knee-reevaluated-week-sources-say)** > > Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela suffered no structural damage to his right knee but could miss a significant part -- if not all -- of an opening-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, sources told ESPN on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/13 "2022-04-17T00:37:54Z")
Raptors had a tough opener against the 76ers. Couldn’t muster much defense or force turnovers. Outplayed, though very very mediocre officiating did not help much. Still, these sort of losses tend to motivate good teams - and it is still going to be a great series, especially if Barnes is back soon. Harris and Maxey surprised. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2022, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/14 "2022-04-17T01:22:10Z")
The Timberwolves went into Memphis and beat the Grizzlies by double-digits. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2022, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/15 "2022-04-17T22:40:06Z")
I was really hoping the Nets would beat Boston. Came sooooo close. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/16 "2022-04-19T01:46:18Z")
Celtics’ Marcus Smart wins his first Defensive Player of the Year award. He’s the first pure guard to win the award since Gary Payton. > **[Celts' Smart first guard to win DPOY since '95-96](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33763528/boston-celtics-marcus-smart-wins-nba-defensive-player-year-award-first)** > > The Celtics' Marcus Smart has been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, with Mikal Bridges and Rudy Gobert finishing second and third, respectively. Miami’s Bam Adebayo decided to whinge about it, saying the reason he didn’t end up as a finalist is because the Heat weren’t on national television very much. The _Heat_. Right. Just one out of every four games they played all year. Also contradicting his idea: Tyler Herro and Erik Spoelstra are finalists for awards. > **[Heat's Adebayo calls DPOY snub 'disrespectful'](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33763098/miami-heat-star-bam-adebayo-calls-defensive-player-year-snub-disrespectful)** > > Bam Adebayo blamed not being a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year on the lack of national TV games the Heat had this season. Luka Doncic is out for Game 2 of the Mavericks’ first-round series against the Jazz. That rescinded technical foul that permitted him to play in the regular-season finale could end up costing the Mavs their season. > **[Luka out for Game 2, moving 'in right direction'](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33763523/strained-calf-keep-dallas-mavericks-star-luka-doncic-game-2-utah-jazz)** > > Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will not play in Monday's Game 2 against the Utah Jazz as he continues to recover from a strained left calf. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/17 "2022-04-19T02:07:51Z")
Sixers dominated the Raptors again tonight. Embiid had 31 points in 37 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/18 "2022-04-19T04:14:22Z")
Embiid managed not to step on any ankles or thumbs this game. Hope he keeps up the good work? TO has to win both in Toronto to make it a series. I hope they pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/19 "2022-04-19T14:03:23Z")
Without Scottie Barnes or a healthy Gary Trent, it’d be a tremendous upset. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/20 "2022-04-20T23:18:03Z")
“Sources” are telling ESPN that Game 4 is a realistic target for Ben Simmons’ debut with the Brooklyn Nets. > **[Sources: Game 4 realistic target for Simmons](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33773529/game-4-realistic-target-ben-simmons-make-debut-brooklyn-nets)** > > The progress of Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons in practices this week -- and the anticipation that it will further accelerate in the coming days -- has turned Game 4 on Monday into a realistic target for his season debut, sources told ESPN. I don’t know; I think it would be a big risk putting him right into a playoff game. The Suns’ Devin Booker is likely to miss Games 3 and 4 against the Pelicans with a mild hamstring sprain, which could be trouble considering New Orleans managed to even the series and now they’re coming home. I’d venture to say Phoenix is still the better team, though. > **[Sources: Suns' Booker likely out next 2 games](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33773820/phoenix-suns-devin-booker-likely-miss-games-3-4-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-mild-hamstring-strain-sources-say)** > > Suns star Devin Booker is likely to miss Games 3 and 4 in New Orleans with a mild right hamstring strain, but hasn't been ruled out for the rest of the first-round Western Conference series, sources told ESPN. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673.md?page=2)