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These NBA teams are in danger of an early exit in the 2022-23 NBA playoffs, even if they had a good record during the regular season.
Welcome to the 2022-23 NBA playoffs! The best of the best remains, with each team hoping to reach the NBA Finals. The road to the Larry O’Brien Trophy will be difficult because the stakes are higher, and the most outstanding players elevate their game when it truly matters.
Sixteen teams remain in the hunt for basketball glory, and they present a good mix of veteran teams and up-and-coming squads. Each unit hopes to bring pride to its city by advancing through every round. The better teams during the regular season will enjoy home-court advantage, which they are looking to put to good use.
However, winning a playoff series isn’t a walk in the park, even if a team has more games at home. Therefore, here are three teams that might not go past the first round, even if they’ve garnered good momentum leading into the postseason.
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3. Sacramento Kings
The Kings ended their 16-year playoff drought with a 48-34 record, earning them the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. That long spell helped create an electric atmosphere at Golden 1 Center during Game 1 of the series against the Golden State Warriors. The Kings won the game with the help of De’Aaron Fox’s 38 points, five assists, and three steals.
However, counting out a team that won four NBA titles in seven years is challenging. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are still shooting the lights out, while they have a solid supporting cast with the likes of Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Donte DiVincenzo. Likewise, the Kings won by only three points and needed each of Fox’s points. Therefore, the Warriors have the firepower to win four games and advance.
2. Phoenix Suns
Considering 4-5 matchups during the playoff’s first round as a David versus Goliath matchup is challenging. The Suns facing the Los Angeles Clippers is no different. They finished the regular season one game apart, with Phoenix getting the home-court advantage. However, the Clippers had a 115-110 Game 1 victory thanks to Kawhi Leonard’s 38 points.
While three Suns players scored at least 22 points each, the Clippers bench outplayed their counterparts in Phoenix, 34-10. Chris Paul also finished with only seven points. If Phoenix’s bench continues to be underwhelming, the Clippers can rampage their way to the conference semifinals. That’s a scary thought, considering that Paul George isn’t playing yet.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies had the opportunity to take the best record in the Western Conference from the Denver Nuggets. But losing four of the last seven regular-season games had them settle for the second seed. It’s still a good spot, considering how tough it is in the West. Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ja Morant lead the way for a team that is making their third straight playoff appearance.
But the Grizzlies hit a roadblock after the Los Angeles Lakers convincingly defeated them in Game 1, 128-112. Rui Hachimura had an inspired performance off the bench, finishing with 29 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes. Austin Reaves, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James also had at least 21 points each. The Grizzlies are doomed if they cannot find a way around the Lakers’ suffocating defense.
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