NBA March Madness 30-Team Tournament: Only One Team Can Win

It’s March, which is the greatest time of year if you are a basketball fan. March Madness is a yearly tradition in the college basketball landscape and it’s time for the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. It features everything you could want from tournament favorites to low seeded Cinderella stories. As great as the product is at the college level, imagine what the NBA could do if they had a professional tournament.

Imagine a scenario where the NBA had a regular-season tournament in March to match March Madness. The league would have 15 teams in each conference, so you would have a 15-team single elimination bracket. The No. 1 seed in each conference would get a bye in the first round. Then, you would treat it like any other elimination tournament where if you lose, you are eliminated.

If the league conducted this tournament right now, the standings for the NBA would be set. All teams would be seeded based on their conference standings. No team would be safe because it is a “one-and-done format.” The tournament would also be played at a neutral site, so teams with COVID issues wouldn’t have to worry about restrictions.

We let this scenario play out. We took into consideration who is healthy right now and who is hurt. Everything is based on matchups, so having a seed wouldn’t mean very much in some cases. What NBA team could be a Cinderella story in this tournament? Believe it or not, if all it takes is one game to win, there are quite a few underdogs that could come out victorious.

Here is how the 2022 NBA Regular Season Tournament would go in each round. Let the madness begin.

Eastern Conference First Round

1. Miami Heat vs. Bye

Given that there are 15 teams in the conference, there would be no first-round opponent for the Heat. The Heat would be rewarded with a bye in the first round.

8. Brooklyn Nets vs. 9. Atlanta Hawks

This could have been the Conference Finals last year had Kevin Durant landed the go-ahead bucket against the Bucks last year. Instead, it would be a bonafide spectacle to watch as Durant and Trae Young would square off. With the tournament being played at a neutral site, it would allow Kyrie Irving to play and that extra superstar would be enough for the Nets to easily displace the Hawks.

Result: Nets defeat Hawks 118-92

4. Chicago Bulls vs. 13. Indiana Pacers

The triple-threat of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic would be enough to hamper the Pacers. After all, it’s been done three times. Each one of these players has led the Bulls in scoring in three separate wins this season. With Sabonis out of town, there is no real match for Vucevic here outside of Myles Turner. Vucevic is the more skilled player, which would be the difference as the Bulls coast in this opening round.

Result: Bulls defeat Pacers 125-89

5. Boston Celtics vs. 12. New York Knicks

This matchup is enticing to those as an upset, but this would be one to stay away from. The Knicks and Celtics have split the season series, but it takes a 41-point effort from Evan Fournier or 35 points from Julius Randle to win. Those players have been inconsistent all year and it’s too risky to take the Knicks, especially when you know what you are going to get from players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each night.

Result: Celtics defeat Knicks 104-90

2. Milwaukee Bucks vs. 15. Orlando Magic

Who is going to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo in this matchup? The Magic are too young, so this would not be a fair matchup. There would be no Cinderella story here. The defending champions would have an easy win in the first round.

Result: Bucks defeat Magic 135-86

7. Toronto Raptors vs. 10. Charlotte Hornets

How much faith do you want to put in Gary Trent Jr.? When the Raptors won the first two meetings, Trent scored at least 20 points and shot efficiently. When the Hornets blew out the Raptors 125-93, Trent, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet combined for 28 points, 12 of which came from Trent. The Raptors are beatable here and the Hornets could thrive from the momentum.

Result: Hornets defeat Raptors 114-100

3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 14. Detroit Pistons

There would be no stopping Joel Embiid and James Harden in this matchup. The two All-Stars would combine for 65 points, while the rest of the team would follow their lead. In the end, the Pistons would take their lumps in an overmatched game. This would give fans a chance to watch more of the 2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham in action.

Result: 76ers defeat Pistons 125-106

6. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 11. Washington Wizards

This had an upset appeal, but that was until Bradley Beal got hurt. In the two wins that Washington has over Cleveland, Beal played a major hand. Kyle Kuzma’s 34 points nearly led Washington to a win in their last meeting, a 92-86 loss, but couldn’t get it done. If Beal was playing, this would be a bad matchup with Beal’s ability to stretch the frontcourt out and force more on offense. Instead, the Cavaliers have the matchup advantage and would take this opener.

Result: Cavaliers defeat Wizards 98-91

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets

The key to this series is that this is played on a neutral site. That again means Irving can play. In all three meetings, the Heat beat the Nets without Kevin Durant and Irving on the floor at the same time. This tournament would see that for the first time and it would remind the league who is a top-tier team. This would not be a fair matchup for the Heat playing their first game of the series. As the Nets got their rhythm, it would catch Miami off guard for the upset.

Result: Nets defeat Heat 116-111

Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

The last time the Bulls and Celtics played, the team did not have Zach LaVine and Boston won by just two points. While the Celtics are a team trending upwards, the Bulls match up better against Boston, especially with the defensive surge of guard Ayo Dosunmu. With Alex Caruso back in the lineup, this team is deeper offensively despite the absence of Lonzo Ball. All Chicago would need to do is limit either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. It’s a tough task, but something Chicago can do.

Result: Bulls defeat Celtics 115-110

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets

Cinderella would begin to write her story. The Hornets are a tough matchup for the Bucks. Terry Rozier led the Hornets to two wins over the Bucks in a stretch of three games, where Giannis played in both games. In a 127-125 win by the Bucks, it took 40 points from Giannis to take down Charlotte. Call it March Madness or Cinderella, but an unlikely hero in Rozier would lead a small-ball lineup to help the Hornets shock the world.

Result: Hornets defeat Bucks 135-129

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

You would think the frontcourt depth of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley would slow down the big fella in Embiid, but that is not the case. Embiid once scored 40 points in a win over the Cavaliers, while Tyrese Maxey led the team with 33 points in the team’s other win. Given that Allen is ailing, the 76ers would likely have another easy win here.

Result: 76ers defeat Cavaliers 108-96

Eastern Conference Semifinals

Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets

Everyone might flock to the recent meeting, but let’s slow up on that. The Bulls took down the Nets with both Kevin Durant and James Harden by four points when the team was at full strength. Even without Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu in place, the Bulls match up well with the Nets. With that said, when Irving joined the team, the Nets were just a different type of bull, no pun intended, to stop. Even without Harden in this lineup, the Nets have a true big man in Andre Drummond that can stop Vucevic, and two legit stars that can outscore both LaVine and DeRozan.

Result: Nets defeat Bulls 121-109

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets

This is a really hard matchup for the 76ers. In the first matchup, it took 43 points from Embiid and overtime for Philly to win. The second time, Embiid had to score 32 points and the team won by just four points. The third time, the Hornets defeated the 76ers by 11 points. Gordon Hayward has scored 31 points in back-to-back meetings. Meet your Eastern Conference Cinderella as Hayward goes for 30 points three straight times and the Hornets knock off the 76ers, who thought they had the easiest road to the finals.

Result: Hornets defeat 76ers 117-114

Eastern Conference Finals

Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets

The two teams have played twice. In one meeting, Durant scored 38 points in a loss, while Irving scored 50 points in a win. The Nets would erupt against the Hornets with both Durant and Irving scoring 40 points apiece. The Hornets would be a nice story, but their run would end here as the eight-seeded Nets would make a championship bid.

Result: Nets defeat Hornets 120-100

Western Conference First Round

1. Phoenix Suns vs. Bye

Given that there are 15 teams in the conference, there would be no first-round opponent for the Suns. The Suns would be rewarded with a bye in the first round.

8. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 9. Los Angeles Lakers

The state of the Clippers is not very good right now. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would be out. The Lakers would not be a first-round disappointment. The veteran-laden group would find a way to pull off the victory over the injury-depleted Clippers to move on to the next round. The Clippers were 4-0 against the Lakers in the regular season, so you could call this a massive upset.

Result: Lakers defeat Clippers 107-105

4. Utah Jazz vs. 13. Sacramento Kings

This would not be a Cinderella story. While the acquisition of Domantas Sabonis is a nice pickup, the Kings are atrocious on the road, going 9-25 this season. The Jazz has proven winners on the team. Not to mention, Donovan Mitchell loves playing the Kings, where he has scored at least 25 points in all four wins this season against Sacramento.

Result: Jazz defeat Kings 99-91

5. Dallas Mavericks vs. 12. San Antonio Spurs

Welcome to your first Cinderella story. Despite losing to the Mavericks three times this season, two of the three losses were within five points. Luka Doncic has yet to prove he has the capability of leading a team outside of a regular-season game. Gregg Popovich remains the best coach in the NBA and will find a way to limit Doncic offensively in a one-game elimination. The Spurs would dance on and start the tourney as the easy loveable favorite.

Result: Spurs defeat Mavericks 117-112

2. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 15. Houston Rockets

Believe it or not, this would be a tough matchup for Memphis. Despite a 136-102 win in November, Houston has played well against the Grizzlies, even winning their March 6 meeting, which included 54 combined points from Kevin Porter Jr., and Jalen Green. With that said, one meeting wouldn’t define the Grizzlies. Ja Morant has played in the playoffs and is a superstar and would easily drop 45 points himself to will his team to the next round.

Result: Grizzlies defeat Rockets 135-98

7. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 10. New Orleans Pelicans

Even without Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have the better matchup. For starters, Brandon Ingram touches the Timberwolves, scoring at least 30 points in two of the four matchups. The two teams have split the season series, but the Pelicans have more shooting depth in CJ McCollum, a likely 30-spot from Ingram, and inexperience from Minnesota. Towns have played one postseason game, while Anthony Edwards has never played. Even though this isn’t truly the playoffs, it would have that atmosphere and the Timberwolves aren’t ready.

Result: Pelicans defeat Timberwolves 101-92

3. Golden State Warriors vs. 14. Oklahoma City Thunder

Watching a 14-seed team win is always fun, but this is too much power against too much youth. Any type of experience like this would be great for the young thunder team, but the Warriors have four All-Stars on their team and too much depth. The Thunder could make it come, but Golden State would easily take care of business here.

Result: Warriors defeat Thunder 132-102

6. Denver Nuggets vs. 11. Portland Trail Blazers

This seems so easy that you almost wonder if an upset is even possible. The Trail Blazers are lacking true scoring as Damian Lillard is out and CJ McCollum was traded. The Nuggets have the better center in reigning MVP Nikola Jokic in comparison to Jusef Nurkic. The Nuggets are also a bit banged up with no Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. but are the better team right now.

Result: Nuggets defeat Trail Blazers 125-101

Western Conference Quarterfinals

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Suns have gradually been better than the Lakers. That started with a 10-point win which was followed by an 18-point win. Then, the Suns won by 30 points on Sunday. The crowd can talk about Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis as much as they want, but the Suns are a better team on paper, younger, more athletic, and would decimate the Lakers once again in this tournament.

Suns defeat Lakers 134-112

Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are a bad matchup for the Jazz as well. The Spurs have won two of the three meetings this year for a variety of reasons. Between Keldon Johnson and Josh Richardson, Mitchell gets neutralized and doesn’t shoot well. Jakob Poetl can battle Rudy Gobert in the paint and limit his shot opportunities on the offensive glass. The Spurs would continue their Cinderella story by posting a win over the Jazz a third time this year.

Results: Spurs defeat Jazz 113-110

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Even with McCollum added, the Pelicans don’t have enough to take down the Grizzlies. If the team had Williamson, maybe this would be a battle, but the Grizzlies recently dusted the Pelicans by 20 points last week. The Pelicans were without Ingram, but even so, the Grizzlies took a win with both Ingram and McCollum on the floor and the Grizzlies were without Ja Morant.

Result: Grizzlies defeat Pelicans 118-108

Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets

Over a stretch of five days, the Warriors and Nuggets split a series. When the Warriors won, Curry scored 34 points and Jordan Poole added 24 off the bench. When the Nuggets won, Nikola Jokic had a triple-double, but neither Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins played due to rest. With a full team, the advantage has to go to the Warriors here.

Result: Warriors defeat Nuggets 105-98

Western Conference Semifinals

Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs would try to upset the Suns, but the clock would finally strike midnight on this Cinderella story. The Suns own a 4-0 record, which includes three of their wins by four points two times and five points one. These close margins would remain close as the Suns would pull off the hard task of beating a team five times in one season. The only time the Suns won by double digits was when Devin Booker scored 48 points. This time, he would maybe go off for 50 points in a big-time and meaningful game.

Result: Suns defeat Spurs 106-102

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors

This could be a future playoff matchup in the NBA playoffs, but for one game, you have to give the nod to the Grizzlies. For most of Morant’s career, he has excelled in one game, take it scenarios. If this was a five or seven-game series, the Warriors would have the depth and the reputation to win. However, it’s one game and Morant has this crazy ability to go off for 50 points when his team needs him the most.

Result: Grizzlies defeat Warriors 113-107

Western Conference Finals

Phoenix Suns vs. Memphis Grizzlies

This would be one close game. In the first matchup, the Suns won by 25 points by a balanced scoring effort. In the second meeting, the Grizzlies won 114-113 where Ja Morant’s 33 points outlasted 30 points by Devin Booker. In this matchup, the Grizzlies would take advantage of this being a one-game elimination. Morant would outplay Booker a second time, Steve Adams would lock down Deandre Ayton, and the young Grizzlies would get their first chance at playing in a championship game.

Result: Grizzlies defeat Suns 110-109

NBA Tournament Championship

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Brooklyn Nets

One game settles everything. Will it be the up and coming or the sustained? Based on what we saw from Morant the first time he played the Nets, this would be the first time Memphis gets to feel championship dancing. In the first meeting, Morant torched the Nets for 36 points in a 118-104 win that featured a Nets team with both Durant and Harden. Jaren Jackson Jr. had five points that game. He will be the difference-maker in this particular game as the Grizzlies get their first championship experience in franchise history.

Result: Grizzlies defeat Nets 117-110

Tournament MVP: Ja Morant