I apologize for my lack of NBA content ever since I started this blog. It’s been unacceptable, I know. However, I’m ready to give you my insight into what has already been a great start to this year’s NBA Playoffs, despite none of the series going seven games.
I haven’t covered this year’s NBA regular season at all, so I didn’t know quite what to expect when I tuned into the Playoffs. However, the playstyle in the Playoffs compared to the games I had watched in the regular season was drastically different.
So, what should we take away from the first-round matchups? Here’s a look:
Eastern Conference:
#1 Miami Heat defeats #8 Atlanta Hawks, 4-1
It didn’t take very long for the Heat to advance, as they defeated Trae Young and the Hawks in five games. The series included two monster games from Jimmy Butler, and the series win was capped off with a steal by Bam Adebayo. With a core group including Butler, Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson, they’re in good shape as they face the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
#2 Boston Celtics sweep #7 Brooklyn Nets, 4-0
What was anticipated by all sports media as the most talented first-round series in NBA Playoff history, turned out to be the only sweep in this year’s Playoffs. The defense that Celtics head coach Ime Udoka planned to stifle the production of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving went nearly flawless. Durant only showed his true ability on offense in Game 4, but even that wasn’t enough for the Nets to force Game 5. The scoring ability from Jayson Tatum wasn’t as great as I expected, but the constant fourth-quarter takeovers by Jaylen Brown helped the Celtics get to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they face…
#3 Milwaukee Bucks defeat #6 Chicago Bulls, 4-1
The defending NBA champions got past the Bulls, thanks to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks in scoring in four of the five games in the series (the outlier being Grayson Allen). The Bucks caught a break with Zach LaVine entering health and safety protocols ahead of the series-clinching Game 5. To wrap up the Eastern Conference…
#4 Philadelphia 76ers defeat #5 Toronto Raptors, 4-2
The 76ers got out to a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, but back-to-back wins for the Raptors forced the series to six games. In Game 6, the 76ers wanted the job over with and blew out the Raptors 132-97. NBA scoring leader Joel Embiid led the Sixers in scoring in four of the six games (James Harden and Tyrese Maxey in the other two games). James Harden has started to contribute more, as the 76ers move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Western Conference:
#1 Phoenix Suns defeat #8 New Orleans Pelicans, 4-2
In the series-clinching Game 6, Chris Paul shot 14-for-14 to give the Suns a 115-109 win over New Orleans. However, the curse of Scott Foster officiating Chris Paul’s games still haunted in Game 2, which ended in a Pelicans victory. Devin Booker had injury problems in the series but surprisingly came back in Game 6 for the series win. The Suns were fined $25k for not being clear on his health status. The Suns, who own the best record and one of the best playing styles in the NBA, move on to the Western Conference Semifinals.
#2 Memphis Grizzlies defeat #7 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-2
Maybe the Timberwolves should have brought the protesters back, as they were undefeated when those incidents occurred. The Grizzlies were down late in Game 6, but mistakes by the Timberwolves helped Memphis get in front and finish the series off. This series was perhaps the most exciting to watch, as young stars Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Anthony Edwards shined in the series. Their next opponent is…
#3 Golden State Warriors defeat #6 Denver Nuggets, 4-1
Even with how dominant Nikola Jokic, the back-to-back NBA MVP, was in the series, it did not help as the Warriors took care of business in five games. This included games where former MVP Stephen Curry would come off the bench for the Steve Kerr-coached team. The Warriors were fun to watch in the series, as you could see Jordan Poole fulfill his newfound role as well as he could. Along with Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, the small-ball starting five has worked extremely well so far.
#4 Dallas Mavericks defeat #5 Utah Jazz, 4-2
Yes, there were no upsets in the first round, as the Mavericks wrap up my first round recap. Jalen Brunson has skyrocketed his production, as he and Luka Doncic took down Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and the Jazz. The Jazz have a lot of thinking to do, as they are a first-round exit. As for the Mavericks, they move on to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Conference Semifinals Preview:
Eastern Conference:
#1 Miami Heat vs. #4 Philadelphia 76ers
The Heat-76ers series includes Jimmy Butler facing his former team, where he played for Philadelphia for one season. During a press conference after Saturday’s practice, Jimmy Butler said he will be set to play on Monday against the 76ers. This was after him sitting in Game 5 of the Heat-Hawks series due to right knee soreness. As for Joel Embiid, he is out indefinitely with a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion. When will the MVP finalist return? We don’t know. Will he return? We don’t know. No one should wish injuries upon anybody, but if they occur, the Heat have to take advantage of his absence.
Series Schedule:
Game 1: @ Heat, Monday, 7:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 2: @ Heat, Wednesday, 7:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 3: @ 76ers, Friday, 7 PM ET on ESPN
Game 4: @ 76ers, May 8, 8 PM ET on TNT
Game 5*: @ Heat, May 10, TBD on TNT
Game 6*: @ 76ers, May 12, TBD, on ESPN
Game 7*: @ Heat, May 15, TBD
* If necessary
#3 Milwaukee Bucks lead the series vs. #2 Boston Celtics, 1-0
Since 2022 began, the Boston Celtics have been the best team in the NBA, as a slow start turned into quite a turnaround, becoming the NBA’s top defensive team and #2 in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Ime Udoka deserves great praise for his defensive strategy on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the first round. That was remarkable and unlike anything I’ve ever seen throughout Durant’s career. The only worry for the Celtics is Jaylen Brown, who is currently suffering a right hamstring injury. However, he plans on playing in tomorrow’s Game 1. Center Robert Williams, who has one of the biggest impacts on the Celtics’ defense, was not around for the first two games of the first round and played limited minutes in the final two games. Getting Williams back, and with more rest due to the sweep over the Nets, is a major advantage for the Celtics. Guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo will be quite interesting to watch. Every Celtics fan that I’ve talked to about this series has mentioned that Antetokounmpo is a “cheat code.” He’s a two-time MVP and in his prime, so there’s no doubt about calling him a “cheat code.” His athleticism and inside presence are like no other. This is the most intriguing series to me, as I’ve always found past Bucks-Celtics series entertaining. The Bucks are at a disadvantage, however. Khris Middleton, who had a great impact on last year’s championship team, is out for the series. ESPN’s Zach Lowe mentioned the loss of Middleton when he explains why “the Bucks need absolute peak Giannis to defeat these Celtics.” With Marcus Smart being named Defensive Player of the Year, I’m excited to see the Celtics’ defensive assignments tomorrow.
Series Schedule:
Game 1: @ Celtics, Bucks won 101-89
Game 2: @ Celtics, Tuesday, 7 PM ET on TNT
Game 3: @ Bucks, May 7, 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Game 4: @ Bucks, May 9, 7:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 5*: @ Celtics, May 11, TBD on TNT
Game 6*: @ Bucks, May 13, TBD on ESPN
Game 7*: @ Celtics, May 15, TBD
* If necessary
Western Conference:
#1 Phoenix Suns vs. #4 Dallas Mavericks
This series will include an interesting battle between two talented backcourts: Phoenix’s Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and Dallas’s Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson. The latter name may ring a bell for college basketball fans, but it’s more new for NBA fans. Brunson, who won the Wooden Award and two National Championships at Villanova, exploded in the first round, finding new stardom as the Mavs face the top-seeded Suns. Chris Paul better wish Scott Foster isn’t assigned his games, as he has never won a playoff game with Foster officiating. It’ll be Luka Doncic’s first time to the Western Conference Semifinals, but can they match what the well-coached Suns bring?
Series Schedule:
Game 1: @ Suns, Monday, 10 PM ET on TNT
Game 2: @ Suns, Wednesday, 10 PM ET on TNT
Game 3: @ Mavericks, Friday, 9:30 PM ET on ESPN
Game 4: @ Mavericks, May 8, 3:30 PM ET on ESPN
Game 5*: @ Suns, May 10, TBD on TNT
Game 6*: @ Mavericks, May 12, TBD on ESPN
Game 7*: @ Suns, May 15, TBD
* If necessary
#3 Golden State Warriors lead the series vs. #2 Memphis Grizzlies, 1-0
The Grizzlies came from behind in the series-clinching game and eliminated the Timberwolves to face the Warriors, the dominant Western Conference team of the past decade. The Warriors have been surging, but the Grizzlies have the talent to match them. Ja Morant, the Most Improved Player, leads the team, but he doesn’t do it alone. With the help of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies don’t seem scared of the Warriors, despite the championship potential Golden State contains. How far can the Warriors’ small-ball lineup take them?
Series Schedule:
Game 1: @ Grizzlies, Warriors won 117-116
Game 2: @ Grizzlies, Tuesday, 9:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 3: @ Warriors, May 7, 8:30 PM ET on ABC
Game 4: @ Warriors, May 9, 10 PM ET on TNT
Game 5*: @ Grizzlies, May 11, TBD on TNT
Game 6*: @ Warriors, May 13, TBD on ESPN
Game 7*: @ Grizzlies, May 16, TBD on TNT
* If necessary
Predictions:
Eastern Conference
Heat win the series in 6 games
We have yet to see a series go to seven games, but I can’t count on this series to do so, as the 76ers are without Joel Embiid.
Celtics win the series in 6 games
I would say seven, but the absence of Khris Middleton seems to linger in my mind when thinking about this series. The Bucks are really good, but the Celtics have an edge with Robert Williams back and no Khris Middleton to worry about.
Western Conference
Suns win the series in 5 games
The Suns are the NBA’s winningest team this year, and I don’t know if the Mavericks match up well with the Suns. I’d say a sweep, but the talent Luka Doncic contains will win the Mavericks at least one game
Warriors win the series in 6 games
I’ll say six games because I’d like to see the Warriors winning in San Francisco, with the home-court advantage. The championship potential the team has should put Memphis away.
Odds
Eastern Conference
Celtics (-185) vs. Bucks (+155)
Heat (-175) vs. 76ers (+145)
Western Conference
Suns (-300) vs. Mavericks (+230)
Warriors (-260) vs. Grizzlies (+200)
Calhoun's Corner 