NBA Playoffs: 2022 Play-In Tournament matchups and predictions

Eastern Conference: Brooklyn Nets (7th seed) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (8th seed)

Both the Nets and the Cavaliers ended the season with a 44-38 record. Brooklyn earned the seventh seed by beating the Cavs two times in the three-game season series. Each team has had to deal with injuries and the grueling 82-game NBA season.

All you can do in an NBA season is ride the ups and the downs, and that is what Brooklyn has done. The Nets started the season out strong and were delayed when Kevin Durant was out for about two full months. Brooklyn was also missing Kyrie Irving due to vaccine mandates. That issue has been solved for the Nets.

Cleveland should be happy to be where they are right now. This time last year, their season was over and the playoffs were not in their sights as the 13th seed in the East. The Cavs doubled the number of wins they had in 2021.

The Cavaliers have been without guard Collin Sexton since mid-November. His season was shortened because he required surgery on his left meniscus. Cleveland has also been without center Jarrett Allen since the beginning of March. He fractured his left middle finger and has been out since.

Brooklyn vs. Cleveland is going to be a great game. The teams just recently played where the Nets beat the Cavs 118-107. The winner of this game will earn the 7th seed and will face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Does Brooklyn have one more trick up their sleeve if they make the real playoffs? 

Prediction: Brooklyn wins and gets the 7th seed, and Cleveland will play the winner of 9 vs. 10.