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CGTN Sports Talk: Which play-in teams will become the dark horse?
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CGTN Sports Talk EP162 NBA dark horses.mp3

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The Minnesota Timberwolves, which made the NBA playoffs via the play-in tournament, upset the Western Conference heavyweights Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first-round playoffs on Saturday,

The other three teams that took the same path to reach the post season, the Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks, are also meeting higher-ranking teams in the first round.

Will any of these teams upset their opponents not just in one game, but in the whole series?

Anthony Edwards (#1) of the Minnesota Timberwolves penetrates in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., April 16, 2022. /CFP

Anthony Edwards (#1) of the Minnesota Timberwolves penetrates in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., April 16, 2022. /CFP

Brandon Ingram (#14) of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks in the NBA Western Conference play-in tournament game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 15, 2022. /CFP

Brandon Ingram (#14) of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks in the NBA Western Conference play-in tournament game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 15, 2022. /CFP

Kevin Durant (#7) of the Brooklyn Nets penetrates in the NBA Eastern Conference play-in tournament game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn borough, New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2022. /CFP

Kevin Durant (#7) of the Brooklyn Nets penetrates in the NBA Eastern Conference play-in tournament game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn borough, New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2022. /CFP

Trae Young (#11) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after making a 3-pointer in the NBA Eastern Conference play-in tournament game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., April 15, 2022. /CFP

Trae Young (#11) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after making a 3-pointer in the NBA Eastern Conference play-in tournament game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., April 15, 2022. /CFP

Host: Li Xiang

Guest: Matthew Watson

Cover designer: Feng Yuan

Chief editor: Chen Ran

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei

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