Playoff Fever!!! Both the NBA and NHL Playoffs are rolling! Because they both started last week, I’m not going to waste time writing up a preview. Instead, I’d just like to offer us thoughts and analysis on every matchup from both. The NBA Playoffs is part one.
WESTERN CONFRENCE
Oklahoma City vs. Memphis
Well, that’s a wrap! The Grizzles looked ready to pack it in. Between Ja Morant’s injury earlier this season and firing Taylor Jenkins with just nine games left; this was destined to be a sweep. Even worse, The Grizzlies looked horrible, getting blasted by 51 in the first game but then also blowing a 29-point lead in the Grindhouse which they already had a collapse like this vs. the LA Clippers in the 2012 Playoffs blowing a 27-point lead in Game 1, and then losing to them in Game 7. It’ll be interesting to see what they will do regarding both Ja Morant and their coaching situation.
LA Clippers vs. Denver
This is a great matchup! In my view, I saw the Clips taking the series in six games; and I do believe they really to as if it goes back to Denver for Game 7, I feel the Nuggets may close it out at home. The question is, can Harden, Zubac and Leonard have enough gas in the tank to win the next two games and can the Clippers keep the Nuggets off the glass enough to help slow Jokic down? And, when it comes down to both benches, which one will step up in crunch time? Aaron Gordon really stunned LA with that buzzer-beater. Only time will tell if it means Denver’s moving on to round two.
Minnesota vs. LA Lakers
This is going to be a fight. The T-Wolves would be my clear favorite as they’re one of the very best defensive teams in the NBA, but it’s a big toss-up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic are leading the way for the Lakers and keep an eye on the rebounds and turnovers in this series. In Minnesota’s 12-point win over LA, they caused 16 turnovers while rebounds were even at 38 apiece.
Houston vs. Golden State
This series is nasty!! As I’m writing this, the Rockets were up 49-46 at the half. Steph Curry had 15 points but it’s clear that Houston is trying to swarm him with multiple defenders, play the body and slow him down. The simple question is, will the Rocket’s tough and physical defense work and shut down Golden State? It didn’t happen in this game as the Warriors just won 104 to 93. Outside of the physical play, what I wonder is do the Rockets have enough scoring? Fred VanVleet had 13 points, but no other Rocket even made double-digits. I just hope none of the scuffles we’ve seen results in an ejection and/or suspension because we may just have the best series in the first round.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland vs. Miami
You can just file the autopsy on this one. I would offer analysis for this series, but the closest the Heat has been in any of the three games was nine in Game 2 but then to get annihilated by 37 is to me a sign of a team that just wants to pack in and go home.
Indiana vs. Milwaukee
With Game 4 tomorrow on Sunday, April 27, I’ll be keeping my eye on the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Pascal Siakam as while Giannis is still one of the best players on Earth averaging 35.7 points and he also has a rock-solid 14 rebounds per in his books. But Siakim hasn’t been bad either as he has 25.7 points per game to his created, has totaled half the rebounds vs. Giannis and the Pacers did take the first two games at home. Let’s also watch Tyreese Haliburton as he tries to bounce back from a disappointing Game 3 where he scored only 14 points.
New York vs. Detroit
Seems like it’s a welcome back to the Playoffs for the Detroit Pistons! For the Knicks, you know Karl Anthony-Towns is doing his thing with the 31 points he had in Game 3 and Josh Hart was a monster with his 11 rebounds and 9 assists! Cade Cunningham continues his stellar play with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists but he needs help. Malik Beasley had only 12 points on board and neither Asur Thompson nor Tobias Harris cracked 10 on their scoresheet. They need to step up if Detroit hopes to get back into this series and beat New York.
Boston vs. Orlando
As defending NBA Champions, the Celtics are clear favorites to repeat if they make it out of the East. Led by Jason Tayton, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, they clearly have a better team than the Magic; but Orlando had the best defensive squad in the league this year.
In Game 3, the Magic were able to hold on for a two-point win, 95-93. In that game they caused Boston to turn it over 19 times and they kept Pozingis to 7 points. It may not be enough, but at least they were able to bog the Celtics down to where they couldn’t easily score 100. If they take Game 4 tomorrow, that has to put Boston on alert as I don’t think they want a potential seven game series vs. Orlando.
Anyway, those are my thoughts on NBA Playoff action so far. I hope to write Stanley Cup Playoff analysis soon.
