This Friday marks the final day of the 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, with two crucial matchups determining the No. 8 seeds in each conference.
In the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat face off against the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. The winner will advance to play Cleveland as the No. 8 seed, while the loser will be eliminated. With a regular-season record of 2-2, both teams are closely matched. However, the Hawks’ ability to contain Trae Young’s pick-and-roll play could be crucial in securing the win.
Young has set an NBA-high 3,495 ball-screens this season and is more effective as a passer than a shooter. The Heat will need to defend Young effectively to limit his impact on the game. Additionally, Tyler Herro vs. Dyson Daniels is expected to be a key matchup, with Daniels having defended Herro the most in their head-to-head meetings.
Prediction: Hawks
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks take on the Memphis Grizzlies at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The winner will also advance to play Oklahoma City as the No. 8 seed. With a regular-season record of 3-1, the Grizzlies are favored due to their strong interior defense and ability to outscore opponents in the paint.
The battle inside between P.J. Washington and Jaren Jackson Jr. is expected to be critical in determining the outcome of the game. The Grizzlies have struggled against good teams but have a history of success against weaker opponents, making them a favorable bet.
Prediction: Grizzlies
Source: https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-playoffs-play-in-preview-3