🏀 Playoff Jimmy Returns

Let's run it back, huh? The West had their play-in fun last night, but tonight is the East's turn, and we've got a pair of matchups you won't want to miss. Playoff Jimmy against Embiid with the 7-seed on the line? Winner plays the Knicks. Yes please 🍿 (3 min read)

Author

Kyle Trapp
April 17, 2024

Eastern Conference Play-In Preview

For supporters of the NBA play-in tournament, last night is what it’s all about. Four star-studded teams, all at least 10 games over .500, duking it out to keep their seasons alive. It doesn’t get much better than that, and the action lived up to the hype 👇

Congrats to the Kings, who will now take on the Pelicans for the final playoff spot in the West. But I’m honestly pretty sad for Steph and feel like this is the end of the Warriors’ dynasty 😢

Tonight we head over to the Eastern Conference, where the play-in standings aren’t quite as tight as they are out West. And if we’re talking potential arguments against this tournament…a battle of sub-.500 teams in the 9-10 matchup is a pretty strong one. But the first game of the evening has more than enough intrigue for the both of em 🍿

  • Spread: 76ers -5

  • Moneyline: 76ers -210, Heat +176

  • Over/Under: 208 Total Points

  • When: 7PM EST on ESPN

If you told me at the start of the year that the 2023 Eastern Conference champions would face off against the 2023 MVP in the postseason, I certainly would’ve believed you…I just wouldn’t have guessed it’d be in the play-in tournament 😳

  • Neither the Sixers nor the Heat lived up to their lofty preseason expectations during the regular season, but bad injury luck is largely to blame for both teams

  • For Miami, Bam Adebayo (who missed 11 games himself) was the only player to hit the court in at least 70 games. The team’s two leading scorers Jimmy Butler (60 games played) and Tyler Herro (42 games played) both missed significant chunks of the season

  • That trio is all set to suit up tonight, but the Heat still aren’t at full strength…prized trade acquisition Scary Terry will unfortunately have to spend this one on the sidelines 😔

All eyes are on Philadelphia’s injury report as well, with the reigning MVP returning to game action just a couple weeks ago. He sat out the Sixers’ regular season finale as a precaution, leaving him questionable for tonight…but expect the big man to suit up 😤

Philly comes in on an eight-game win streak, and even without Embiid they’ve been dangerous this season, thanks in large part to the heavy MIP favorite Tyrese Maxey (-1350). But if their dominant center is at a full health, this team reaches another level. That’s why the Sixers are the biggest favorite of the play-in round…but are oddsmakers forgetting about Playoff Jimmy? 🤔

You likely don’t need a reminder that the Heat reached the Finals as an 8-seed last year. Smart money is on the home team tonight if Embiid is a full go, but bet against the Heat this time of year at your own risk 📛

  • Spread: Bulls -3

  • Moneyline: Bulls -154, Hawks +130

  • Over/Under: 222 Total Points

  • When: 9:30PM EST on ESPN

Alright I’ll confess, I don’t think any team with a losing record should be a part of any type of postseason, and both of these teams fall into that category. But that doesn’t mean tonight’s win-or-go-home showdown in Chi-town won’t be a a fun one, and I’ll be shamelessly tuning in 🍿

  • While the 76ers and Heat may be surprising play-in participants, you probably could’ve penciled in this matchup back in October. Over the past few seasons, the Hawks and Bulls have become the league’s poster children for mediocrity 😬

This season has seen the Hawks take a step back from the .500 ball we’ve come to expect in Atlanta. Finger surgery that cost Trae Young 23 games is a big reason why, but the dynamic point guard seems ready to return to his regular high-usage role 😤

For the Bulls, it was another solid yet unremarkable season for a franchise that hasn’t hit 50 wins since 2015. The core of DeRozan, Vucevic and LaVine (who is out for the rest of the season) has seemingly hit its peak, and a rebuild looks inevitable regardless of tonight’s outcome…but at least the future isn’t completely bleak in Chicago ⬇️

The Bulls are favorites on their home floor tonight in matchup that could truly go either way. Tbh, I don’t see the winner being much of a threat to the loser of Sixers-Heat anyway, but hey, you never know 🤷🏻‍♂️

Trivia Question: Who held the Hawks’ all-time assist record until Trae Young just broke it?

For My Parlay Gurus

In the NBA, you typically only go as far as your superstar can carry you. So tonight, I gotta back two of the best in the game, despite their injury-riddled regular seasons. Gimme Embiid and the Sixers parlayed with Trae and the Hawks, check it out 👇

  • 76ers ML vs. Heat: -210

  • Hawks ML @ Bulls: +130

$100 on this bet would win you $240 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

Want more sports content from Overtime? Check us out on TikTok đŸ—Ł

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Join thousands of other informed subscribers

Trivia Answer: Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers now ranks second in Hawks’ history with 3,866 assists

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Many will enter, one (1) will win. Void where prohibited. Open to legal US & DC residents 18 years or older. Prize is one Overtime hoodie. Approximate retail value (“ARV”): $65. Entries are accepted until 11:59 pm EST on the day after the bet hits. See Campaign Terms for additional terms. Š2023 Overtime Sports, Inc. All rights reserved.