Lakers take on Wolves, Heat tackle Hawks as Play-In begins

Golden State is in the playoffs. LeBron James is heading to the play-in tournament. And the Minnesota Timberwolves lost Rudy Gobert to a fight with a teammate, then won a battle to improve their playoff hopes.

The final day of the NBA season was predictably wild — with tons of unpredictable elements as well.

It took until the 1,230th and last game of the year went final, but the Western Conference playoff and play-in bracket are finally set, highlighted by the Los Angeles Clippers and defending champion Golden State Warriors getting a few days off knowing that they’re officially in the postseason. See Lakers enter postseason as No. 7 seed after holding off Jazz

The Clippers beat Phoenix to clinch the No. 5 seed — and a first-round matchup with Phoenix. Golden State had its highest-scoring game in almost 33 years on its way to routing Portland 157-101 and clinching the No. 6 seed, giving the

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Very obviously, the Gin King outplayed Tropang Giga (102-90) in Game 1.

After its initial demolition of TNT, one cannot help but make the usual forecast in favor of the Game 1 winner - Brgy. Ginebra.

You see, as everyone will have noticed, the Gins always display consistency everytime they face a formidable opponent.

They proved it when they swept sister team SMB 3-0 in the semis.

Ginebra’s chemistry, cohesion and composure is just awesome.

It could not have mastered TNT and force the latter to submission if the Gins were merely a regular ballclub seeking to find a place in the sun instead of zeroing in on the championship.

Cone has a frontline leader in Justin Brownlee whose all-around skills motivate Scottie Thompson and company to give their all no matter what the situation is.

TNT does not have someone like JB although its import is as explosive as Mayon volcano.

Rondae Hollis Jefferson was working double time but in a game where five people are involved, he can’t win it all if only four of them are playing as a team.

TNT could not penetrate Ginebra’s floating man to man defense which effectively slowed down Tropang Giga. Pogoy was nowhere in sight.

It was Calvin Oftana who provided the temporary relief shoot- ing job.

Warriors an automatic berth in the playoffs and a first-round matchup with Sacramento.

Golden State led by as many as 59 in that game, the largest lead by any team all season.

“We’re playing Sacramento, obviously. They’re a great team, they’ve had an amazing season and it’s going to take everything to beat them four times — especially starting on the road,” Warriors guard Stephen

FORECAST: GINEBRA 4-2

The ex-Brooklyn Nets poured in 30 pts and 20 rebounds and did not get any relief thorughout except for one occasion.

Coach Jolas received his intial coaching education even as he lamented Poy Erram’s erratic foul prone attitude. The 6’8” center fouled out middle of the fourth.

Without Erram in the middle, TNT was eaten alive in the rebounds department.

How many times have I written that JB is the man to watch out for?

Jolas must assign - as Cone does on RHJ - two or three permanent guards who will alternate denying JB the ball, cuff him and limit his contribution.

RHJ (who somewhat has an uncanny physical resemblance to Kobe Bryant) is excellent in playing a free-wheeling game.

But he dribbles too much and hogs the ball because TNT no longer has an effective pointguard that used to be Jayson Castro’s role before.

As he has been instrumental in winning games in the past and brought TNT to the top of the eliminations, RHF may have been thinking that he is TNT’s savior or messiah (pardon the term but it was meant to describe a task).

Ginebra has Thompson, Stanley Pringle and John Pinto who are able to orchestrate a running game for 48 minutes (and even in OT).

A major shift in defense strategy should be TNT’s major concern.

Curry said. “But we love the opportunity in front of us.” James and the No. 7 — for now — Los Angeles Lakers will get two chances to get into the playoffs, starting with Tuesday’s play-in game against No. 8 Minnesota. If the Lakers lose that game, they’ll get another chance Friday against the winner of Wednesday’s game between No. 9 New Orleans and

Cone already has a working template that will haunt, harass and double team on RHJ to lessen and diminish his effectiveness.

If Jolas and his deputies are (un)able to find the antidote to slow down JB in Game 2, my crystal ball might change its forercast.

THE SCORES:

BRGY. GINEBRA 102 - Brownlee 31, Malonzo 21, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 11, Thompson 10, Gray 6, Mariano 5, Pinto 2, David, Onwubere 0.

TNT 90 - Jefferson 30, M. Williams 23, Oftana 16, Pogoy 6, Erram 4, Castro 4, Chua 3, Khobuntin 3, Montalbo 2, Varilla, Ganuelas rosser 0.

Quarters: 29-20; 50-43; 74-62; 102-90.