Marquette In The 2024 NBA Playoffs: Play-In Rounds Edition

Who’s prepared for NBA Playoff Basketball??

Effectively, if not, you’ve bought a bit little bit of time left, as a result of the NBA is branding this THE PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT, which is someway not the Playoffs, however can be not the common season, and in addition not the playoffs, a minimum of by way of monitoring stats.

IN ANY CASE, meaning it’s time to maintain monitor of when the previous Marquette gamers in The Affiliation are in motion, and because it occurs, there’s three former Golden Eagles in motion Wednesday evening because the Japanese Convention takes the stage. There are two Play-In video games on Wednesday evening, and there’s MU curiosity on one aspect of every recreation.

Right here we go!

Jimmy Butler & Jamal Cain: Miami Warmth

Miami Warmth completed the common season with a document of 46-36, which gave them the eighth finest document within the East. That places them within the Win-And-You’re-The-#7-Seed recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the sport will likely be in Philadelphia because the Sixers had a one recreation edge within the standings. If Miami loses, they’ll head to Friday evening’s eighth place recreation in opposition to the winner of the competition that we’ll be speaking about in a second.

Jimmy Butler performed in 60 video games for the Warmth this season, averaging 20.8 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per recreation. That makes him tied for the crew lead in scoring with Tyler Herro in addition to tops in assists and steals amongst qualifying gamers. Jamal Cain appeared in 26 video games for Miami this 12 months, together with getting his first profession begin in opposition to the Clippers on New Yr’s Day. 10 of his appearances this season have come since March fifteenth, nevertheless it’s principally been a minute right here and a minute there. All advised, Cain averaged 3.7 factors and 1.4 rebounds in 10 minutes per recreation.

Philadelphia presents an fascinating problem for the Warmth. Sure, they’re the #7 seed, however huge man and erstwhile MVP candidate Joel Embiid missed all of February and March with a meniscus damage. He returned to the lively roster late within the 12 months after the Sixers went 10-18 with out him, and Philly gained their ultimate eight common season video games. So one hand: Significantly better than the #7 seed, then again, Embiid was held out of the common season finale after limping a bit of their second to final recreation.

Miami Warmth at Philadelphia 76ers

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Time: 6pm Central
Location: Wells Fargo Middle, Philadelphia, PA
Tv: ESPN

Yr #15 noticed Everybody’s Favourite Undrafted Free Agent play 36 video games for the Hawks this season as Atlanta went 36-46 to complete with the tenth finest document within the Japanese Convention, three video games behind Chicago, their host for this Play-In recreation. Matthews’ motion for the Hawks was largely cut up between two huge chunks with the primary coming earlier than Christmas and the remaining coming since March 1st. With simply three begins in his appearances, Matthews was principally taking part in off the bench this 12 months, averaging 11.5 minutes per outing. He was by no means the main focus of the Hawks’ offense, averaging simply 3.1 factors to go along with 1.5 rebounds per recreation.

As a part of the 9/10 recreation, Atlanta is taking part in to maintain their season going. Win, and so they play the Philadelphia/Miami loser on Friday for the #8 seed. Lose, and their season is over, and that will clearly be a disappointment for head coach Quin Snyder’s first full season in cost after the Hawks bought knocked out of the playoffs within the first spherical every of the previous two campaigns.

The Bulls bought off to a 5-14 begin this season, so ending at 39-43 — 34-29 since that begin — is one thing of a reasonably notable accomplishment. That is head coach Billy Donovan’s fourth season in cost, and so they’ve solely made the playoffs one time. That one look is their solely playoff run since 2017, and the Bulls haven’t gained a playoff collection since Tom Thibodeau took them to the Japanese semifinals in 2015.

Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Time: 8:30pm Central
Location: United Middle, Chicago, Illinois
Tv: ESPN