10 truths about the play-in, first round of NBA playoffs

The NBA regular season was spectacular and drama filled, but don’t get too nostalgic because the playoffs are going to take things up another level.

As you prepare for the play-in and first round, here are 10 truths to know:

1. The Eastern Conference play-in does not matter

The Orlando Magic (41-41, seventh seed), Atlanta Hawks (40-42, eighth), Chicago Bulls (39-43, ninth) and Miami Heat (37-45, 10^th) stink and will not present any first-round difficulties for the Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18, first) and Boston Celtics (61-21, second). Get the brooms ready for a couple of sweeps.

2. But the Western Conference play-in certainly does matter

The tops seeds in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first) and Houston Rockets (52-30, second), will have their eyes on Tuesday night’s play-in game between the Golden State Warriors (48-34, seventh) and Memphis Grizzlies (48-34, eighth). Both teams will be hoping to avoid Steph Curry and Warriors, who are 23-7 with Jimmy Butler in the lineup.

3. However, Warriors fans should not overlook their matchup with the Grizzlies

The Grizzlies, who recently fired coach Taylor Jenkins, have been in free fall since the All-Star break (12-16) and haven’t beaten a Western Conference team above .500 since Jan. 30. But Golden State should not take its matchup with Memphis lightly. The Dubs have never won a play-in game (0-3) and Curry (thumb) and Butler (knee) are banged up.

4. Anything is possible in the first round of the Western Conference

The first round of the Western Conference is going to be exciting as all top eight seeds — even the Grizzlies — could win their first-round series if they catch the right breaks. Memphis probably can’t beat the Thunder, but they match up well with the Rockets and definitely have an edge in playoff experience. The Warriors would be the favorites against the Rockets, and could push the Thunder to the brink, especially if "Playoff Jimmy" is in full bloom. The Timberwolves and Lakers series will be a battle of contrasting styles and should go six or seven games. And the Nuggets and Clippers series should be an instant classic and is close to a toss-up in most betting markets.

5. Speaking of which, Nuggets-Clippers will be a homecourt advantage series

Both of these teams have excellent homecourt advantages because of Denver’s altitude (26-15 at home) and Clippers owner Steve Balmer’s insanely deep pockets and desire to build an awesome new arena (30-11 at home). The Clippers are playing better and probably have a slightly better roster, but the Nuggets still have the best player in the world (Nikola Jokic). The first team to win a road game will win the series.

6. There will be “Blood in the Garden”

In an ode to ESPN’s Chris Herring’s book about the New York Knicks from the 1990s and early 2000s, the first-round battle between the Knicks and young, hot-tempered Pistons will be a throwback series in which both teams leave the arena bruised and battered after each game. The Knicks will win in five or six games, but Detroit's Isaiah “Beef Stew” Stewart and Ron Holland will start a couple of scuffles and maybe even a brawl.

7. The Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers series will be the only Eastern Conference series where the underdog has a chance

Although it'll probably end up on NBA TV, this should be a fun series because the Pacers are better, healthier and have good experience from last postseason. However, they don’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo. And, as his stat line (30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG and 6.5 APG) suggests, he is more than capable of winning a first-round series all by himself.

8. Rudy Gobert will be the center of attention

Every time he’s in the playoffs, the hot-button topic about Minnesota's Gobert is whether he will get played off the court by the other team’s playmakers. And his first-round matchup against the Lakers' Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves will be no different for the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. The Lakers are reliant upon their centerless lineups, so they’ll do their darndest to get the 7-foot-1 big man in foul trouble and off the court.

9. Injuries will decide at least one series – they always do

Injuries stink. But they frequently find a way to ruin playoff series. We’ve seen the playoffs get turned upside down by unfortunate injuries —think Anthony Davis in 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard in 2023 or half the Knicks’ roster last season. This season will probably be no different, but let’s stay optimistic until then because…

10. The playoffs are going to be awesome

Sit back and enjoy.