<a href="https://www.hoopsrumors.com/" title="Hoops Rumors" rel="home"><img src="https://axxess.ar/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/logo3.png" /></a> <br>Through four games, there have been no upsets in the NBA’s 2022 play-in tournament. Both No. 7 seeds won on Tuesday and both No. 9 seeds were victorious on Wednesday, setting up a pair of No. 8 vs. No. 9 showdowns on Friday.<br>In the East, it’ll be the No. 9 <strong>Hawks</strong> visiting the No. 8 <strong>Cavaliers</strong>, and for the first time in this year’s play-in tournament, the road team will enter the game as the betting favorite. The Hawks are currently favored by 2.5 points on <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/basketball/nba" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetOnline.ag</a>.<br>Although the Hawks finished the season a game behind the Cavaliers in the standings, Atlanta was clearly the better team in the second half. While the Hawks finished the season on a 26-14 run, the Cavs struggled to hold their spot in the Eastern Conference standings after a hot start and went 9-17 down the stretch. The two teams’ play-in results so far reflect that second-half momentum — Cleveland never led against Brooklyn on Tuesday, while Atlanta controlled Wednesday’s game against Charlotte for nearly the entire night.<br>Cleveland’s home-court advantage will be a boon. And if <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allenja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">Jarrett Allen</a></strong> is able to return from his finger injury while <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=collijo01,collijo02&search=John+Collins&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">John Collins</a></strong>‘ own finger and foot injuries keep him sidelined, the Cavs should have an advantage in the frontcourt. But there’s a real possibility that after holding a top-six spot for much of the season, Cleveland could miss the playoffs altogether.<br>In the West, the No. 8 <strong>Clippers</strong> will host the No. 9 <strong>Pelicans</strong>, with L.A. listed as a four-point favorite, per <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/basketball/nba" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetOnline.ag</a>.<br>The Clippers finished the year six games ahead of the Pelicans in the standings, but those end-of-season records are somewhat misleading. Since November 17, New Orleans has actually been better (34-32) than Los Angeles (33-35), and the Pelicans have taken another step forward since acquiring <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mccolcj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">CJ McCollum</a></strong> at the trade deadline.<br>Of course, that’s not to say that the Clippers were spiraling when the regular season ended — they’d just gotten <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">Paul George</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/powelno01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">Norman Powell</a></strong> back in their lineup following lengthy injury absences and won their last five games of the year before losing a tight one in Minnesota on Tuesday.<br>Friday’s do-or-die late game would be can’t-miss TV if injured forwards <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">Kawhi Leonard</a></strong> (ACL) and <strong><a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willizi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-wpel-link="external">Zion Williamson</a></strong> (foot) were available, but even without those stars on the court, these are two talented, well-coached teams who each look capable of securing the No. 8 spot in the West.<br>We want to know what you think. Which teams will claim the final two playoff spots on Friday, and which two clubs are headed home?<br>Vote in our poll before Friday night, then head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts and predictions!<br>Paul George vs Brandon Ingram should be something similar to Beal/Tatum or Steph/Bron from last yr’s classic p-i games. I’m thinking Powell/Mann & co will slow down CJ enough in the 4th to win but it’s def possible that BI snatches the torch from PG similar to how Tatum did Beal last yr… Hawks are gonna rightfully be focused on containing Garland tmrw night & Cle’s only chance to win is if Love goes crazy from 3 & they get solid contributions from role players like Rondo, Cedi, Okoro & Stevens. I’m not sure how much pt Stevens is gonna get but he def should be out there. He’s historically the exact type of guy that has killed the Hawks in big games going back to Bobby Phills & Haywood Workman in the 90s. Plus Stevens himself has played well vs the Hawks the past cpl seasons. Depending on talented but frankly undependable young guys like Lauri, Evan & Okoro is a recipe for playoff failure tbh. If it’s close late then Garland & LeVert can be scary & def have ability to hit pressure buckets. Trae & Bogdan are just a lil bit better tho & smart $ is on the Hawks to go ahead & handle this slight work up north before we take our talents down to south beach<br>Good points on Lamar Stevens, and the Ingram-George matchup. George could try to be the hero and mess up.<br /> Trae Young will likely be the difference as he has been; Cavs have no clear defender for him.<br>I love this win-or-go-home situation with the play in. Almost like baseball wild card and March Madness, mini version. 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