Last night, during the last games of the play-in, the Atlanta Hawks and the New Orleans Pelicans created a surprise by qualifying for the 2022 play-offs, after winning respectively at the Cleveland Cavaliers (101-107) and the Los Angeles Clippers (101-105).
Double sensation this night in the NBA. While the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers were favorites to clinch the final two spots for the 2022 playoffs, both franchises have been beaten at home and are now on vacation. However, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the meeting had started rather well for Darius Garland (21 points and 9 assists) and his family with a first quarter to their advantage (36-25). But behind the Atlanta Hawks were stunning to win in Ohio (101-107). For this, they were able to count on a very good Trae Young (38 points and 9 assists) to lead them to victory. After two brief spells at the end of the third quarter, Nate McMillan’s players finally took the lead in the final 12 minutes and finished better than the locals. A great disappointment for the latter, who were nevertheless able to count on an inspired Lauri Markkanen (26 points and 8 rebounds) but also the return of Jarrett Allen. Victorious, the Hawks will now be able to fly to Florida, where the Miami Heat awaits them for the first round of the play-offs. It remains to be seen whether Clint Capela, hit in the right knee during this meeting, will be able to return to the courts during this series (3-1 for the band at Butler during the regular season).
No play-offs for LA franchises
Further west, the Los Angeles Clippers also disappointed. At the Crypto.com Arena, Nicolas Batum’s teammates (2 points and 10 rebounds) fell against the New Orleans Pelicans (101-105). On the move, after eliminating the San Antonio Spurs a few days ago, the training coached by Willie Green did it again overnight from Friday to Saturday, thanks in particular to a better start (22-30). Deprived of Paul George (positive for Covid-19 shortly before the meeting), the locals took time to react in their lair. Led by ten lengths at the break, they were however able to recover in the third quarter (38-18), before resuming water thereafter (17-31). For this, the duo Brandon Ingram (30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) and CJ McCollum (19 points) was better than Reggie Jackson (27 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists) and Marcus Morris (27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists). It is therefore the Pelicans who will have the right to challenge the Phoenix Suns, the best record in the NBA during the regular season, during a duel that promises to be unbalanced (3-1 for the Arizona franchise in regular season). For their part, the Clippers come out the back door and end a season in which they had to do without Kawhi Leonard. His return next year should normally change many things, starting with their ambitions. In the meantime, just like the Lakers, the other team from Los Angeles will not know the play-offs this year.
NBA / PLAY-IN 2022
Tuesday April 12
Brooklyn Nets (7) – Cleveland Cavaliers (8): 115-108 >>> Brooklyn will face Boston in the first round of the play-offs
Minnesota Timberwolves (7) – Los Angeles Clippers (8): 109-104 >>> Minnesota will face Memphis in the first round of the play-offs
Wednesday April 13
Atlanta Hawks (9) – Charlotte Hornets (10): 132-103
New Orleans Pelicans (9) –San Antonio Spurs (10): 113-103
Friday April 15
Cleveland Cavaliers (8) – Atlanta Hawks (9) : 101-107 >>> Atlanta will face Miami in the first round of the play-offs
Los Angeles Clippers (8) – New Orleans Pelicans (9) : 101-105 >>> New Orleans will face Phoenix in the first round of the play-offs
