Brendan Meyers, Staff Writer

The 2023-2024 NBA regular season is over and the playoffs have just begun this past weekend. Last week, four teams in each conference that finished seventh through tenth in the standings played a play-in to determine the last two seeds.

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106 to secure the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers dynamic duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis were terrific. James had 23 points to go along with nine rebounds and nine assists. Davis had 20 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. Pelicans star Zion Williamson had a game-high 40 points but it was not enough in the loss.

The Lakers will have a difficult task ahead of them as they get to play the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round. The two teams met in the Western Conference Finals last year and the Nuggets swept the Lakers in four games. The Nuggets are led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic who put together another potential MVP-type season this year. 

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Miami Heat 105-104 to secure the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. It was a battle of heavyweights despite it being a play-in game. Both teams were riddled with injuries this season and are two of the best teams in the conference at full strength. Joel Embiid led the 76ers in scoring with 23 points and also hauled in 15 rebounds. Tyler Herro was the main offensive driver for the Heat with 25 points and nine assists. 

The two matchups in the nine vs ten seeds were blowouts in both conferences. In the West, the Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors 118-94. In the East, the Chicago Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks 131-116. 

The matchups to determine the final eight seed were not much more competitive on Friday night. Even without star Jimmy Butler, the Heat demolished the Bulls from start to finish 112-91. The Heat went on a 22-2 run in the first quarter and did not look back. The Pelicans stifled the Kings 105-98. Even though the final score does not look as bad, the Pelicans were in control throughout and the lead was never in doubt.

My NBA Finals prediction this year is the Boston Celtics beating the Dallas Mavericks in six games. The Celtics have dominated the whole year with a regular season record of 64-18. The Mavericks have one of the best duos in the league: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. I think this is the year they break through and make it to the championship.

Featured Image Credit: New York Times, Kyrie Irving