NBA Play-In Predictions 2026

The NBA Playoffs have arrived, but first, we have to make the Play-In Tournament Predictions. I would say very few of these teams, if any, have a chance to beat an actual playoff team in a 7-game series, but I will be very interested to see what the analytics say and if a team can truly pull off an upset. So far, we will only do the Play-In, and once the Play-In results are posted, we will make a full bracket prediction, hopefully with predictions from all of The Miners.

(10) Miami Heat (43-39) @ (9) Charlotte Hornets (44-38)

• Line: CHA -5.5
• Total: 228.5
• Analytics Winner: Hornets
• Analytics Line: CHA -3.5
• My Winner: Hornets

The Hornets' 3P shooting is simply too good to be stopped at the moment. The Hornets are too deep on the bench as well. If one of them struggles, they have enough star power to steer the boat home. I can’t say the same about the Heat. Their starting lineup is very solid with Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, and other starters, but after that, there is not much left to be desired. The duo of Lamelo Ball and Kon Knueppel is dangerous to any team that plays them down the road, but it is surely dangerous in this matchup. Give me the Hornets to move on.

(8) Portland Trailblazers (42-40) @ (7) Phoenix Suns (45-37)

• Line: PHX -3.5
• Total: 216.5
• Analytics Winner: Trailblazers
• Analytics Line: POR -2.5
• My Winner: Suns

I went back and forth on this matchup and was surprised to see the Trail Blazers were picked in my analytics matchups. Both teams have dealt with injuries all season, but the Suns have been hit harder. Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks have all missed substantial time. So far, everyone is expected to play. Grayson Allen is going in with a questionable hamstring injury, but I would expect him to play. The series was 2-1 this season in favor of the Suns. However, I don’t know if that holds much weight. What scares me is I don’t know if Phoenix can keep up with the Trail Blazers' size, but then again, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks are much more experienced in the playoffs than Avdija and Donovan Clingan. I do like the Trail Blazers' depth much more than the Suns', but I just have to trust my gut and Devin Booker to get them to play another game where they will face the Spurs in the playoffs.

(8) Orlando Magic (45-37) @ (7) Philadelphia 76ers (45-37)

• Line: PHI -1.5
• Total: 221.5
• Analytics Winner: Magic
• Analytics Line: -1.5 ORL
• My Winner: 76ers

Once again, I was surprised to see the Magic winning according to my analytics, but that is just how the cookie crumbled, I guess. I don’t really think that the Magic have any chance of winning this unless they outphysical the 76ers, which is possible wth the absence of former MVP Joel Embiid. Although they have played without him for the majority of the season, I don’t think his presence would change that outcome drastically. I trust Maxey and rookie standout VJ Edgecombe to take the 76ers to another game. The Magic’s embarrassing loss to the Celtics 2nd and 3rd stringers did too much damage in my head to trust Banchero and the injury-ridden Magic, who looked awful with their entire team healthy a couple of days ago. The 76ers advance to face the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.

(10) Golden State Warriors (37-45) @ (9) Los Angeles Clippers (42-40)

• Line: LAC -5.5
• Total: 220.5
• Analytics Winner: Clippers
• Analytics Line: LAC -3.5
• My Winner: Clippers

This is an interesting matchup with a ton of history I can remember from when I was a kid living in California. The Clippers, for a long time with the Lob City team, always beat the Warriors, and I anticipate that happening again, just not remotely with the same team. The Warriors have looked good only a few times this season, and I understand that Curry is fully healthy, but I don’t think that will turn the tide in their favor. The time is ticking on Steve Kerr’s time with the team, and I think that they will have to hope they can reload next year with a healthy Jimmy Butler and a good rookie they draft this year. The Clippers move on to face the Blazers.

Final Play-In Matchups

(9) Los Angeles Clippers vs (8) Portland Trailblazers

• Analytics Winner: Trailblazers
• Analytics Line: POR -1.5
• My Winner: Clippers

I think the future is very bright in Portland. They accomplished a lot this season; they actually made the Play-In, and Avdija is officially an amazing scorer and someone that can build around. I simply trust Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, and Bennedict Mathurin more to advance to the NBA Playoffs. The Clippers will now have to face a suicide matchup against the reigning NBA Champions, the OKC Thunder.

(9) Charlotte Hornets vs (8) Orlando Magic

• Analytics Winner: Hornets
• Analytics Line: CHA -4.5
• My Winner: Hornets

I am simply trusting Lamelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Mikal Bridges more. The Hornets are simply too deep behind their starters and are finally fully healthy. Paired with elite 3P shooting and a young, fun team, it will advance them to the playoffs, where they will face the Detroit Pistons. I simply don’t trust Paolo Banchero and the Magic to perform. This will be a disappointing result after they had a lot of hype going into the season with the acquisition of Desmond Bane and a breakout season from Franz Wagner, who was hurt most of the season.

Playoff Matchups After Play-In:

West: (1) OKC Thunder vs (8) Los Angeles Clippers (2) San Antonio Spurs (7) Phoenix Suns

East: (1) Detroit Pistons vs (8) Charlotte Hornets (2) Boston Celtics vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers