With the first round of the NBA playoffs starting May 18 and the Play In Tournament starting May 16, NBA fans around the world are excited to watch teams go at it. 

This year the NBA is holding a new Play In Tournament, which they hope will be an exciting way to determine the 7 and 8 seeds in each conference. Basically the 7 and 8 seeds will play one game to determine the 7 seed and the winner of the 9 and 10 seeds will play the loser of the 7 and 8 seed game to determine the 8. 

Right now the East teams that would play are Celtics, Hornets, Pacers, and Wizards, and the West teams that would play are the Lakers, Warriors, Grizzlies, and Spurs

“I like the play in tournaments because if teams like the Lakers lose it gives the Bucks a better chance of winning,” junior Jackson Richards said. 

Teams who didn’t play well this year really like this because it gives them a chance to get back in the playoffs, but some of the better teams like the Lakers dislike this because they have a chance of being eliminated if they lose one game.

Teams at the top like Nets and Bucks have nothing to worry about. Right now the Bucks are the 3 seed and fans think they are playing well at the right time. “I think the Bucks have a big chance of winning it all this year because the Lakers could possibly be out of the playoffs and our team is really strong this year,”  senior Braden Sinks said.

Bucks fans this year are very excited. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, many fans think the Bucks have a good chance of winning it all this year. If they stay in the third spot they will most likely play the Heat and that fans think that should be an easy win for them. “I really like our chances this year. If Giannis, Middleton, and Holiday all play well I think we can easily make it to the finals and possibly win,” junior Jordan Gruel said.

The Nets this year are the favorite to win the NBA finals. With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden the Nets are a very strong team, and could potentially win it all. Also the 76ers are doing well this year standing in 1st in the East. With Joel Embid, Seth Curry, and Ben Simmons the 76ers have a big chance of winning. 

For the Western Conference the Jazz, and Suns are running the show, but the Lakers are still the favorite coming out of the west after winning it all last year. “I think the Lakers are gonna come out on top. If Lebron and A.D click like they did last year,” senior Michael Fisher said. 

Many fans are excited for the playoffs, and are excited for the new play in the tournament. Since fans couldn’t go to the games last year they are excited that they can watch their favorite teams go at it.