The 2024 NBA playoffs first-round collection are into their second week and we have already seen a dominating sweep.
The Minnesota Timberwolves eradicated the Phoenix Suns in 4 video games behind some massive performances from All-Star guard Anthony Edwards. They now await the winner of the collection between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. In that matchup, LeBron James and the Lakers are down three video games to 1 towards Nikola Jokic and the defending NBA Finals champion Nuggets. In the meantime, the West’s high seed Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are in management of their collection (3-0) towards the Zion Williamson-less New Orleans Pelicans, whereas the LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are locked at two video games apiece.
Within the East, the general seed Boston Celtics are up 2-1 on the Miami Warmth, who’re taking part in with out Jimmy Butler. The New York Knicks are on the verge of knocking out reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers (3-1) in a contentious collection, whereas the Indiana Pacers are closing in on a depleted Milwaukee Bucks aspect (3-1) with out Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. However issues stay tight between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic, who’re tied 2-2.
Our NBA insiders break down what’s caught their eye and what to search for as postseason presses ahead.
What’s been a shock from the primary spherical to date?
Kendra Andrews: How dominant the Timberwolves have been over the Suns, contemplating Kevin Durant and Co. did not lose to the Wolves within the common season. The Wolves’ first three wins within the collection have been by double digits, they usually outscored the Suns by 51 factors within the collection when Phoenix’s star trio of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Durant have been on the ground. The final time the Suns have been swept in a best-of-7 collection was in 1989 West Finals, the final season earlier than the Timberwolves franchise got here into existence.
Ohm Youngmisuk: It has been very shocking how a lot the Lakers have led the Nuggets on this collection the place L.A. is on the verge of being eradicated. Based on ESPN Stats & Data analysis, the Lakers have led a complete of 139 minutes in comparison with the Nuggets main almost 42 minutes on this collection. The Lakers have been in a position to capitalize on a lead on Saturday to keep away from a second straight postseason sweep to the Nuggets. With the collection shifting to Denver, the defending NBA Finals champs can shut this collection in 5 on Monday — however it’s been more difficult than anticipated.
Tim Bontemps: How shortly the Thunder’s younger weapons have adjusted to life within the playoffs. They struggled of their Recreation 1 win towards a Pelicans aspect with out Williamson, and folks started to marvel if it might be a protracted collection. As a substitute, the Thunder adopted up with two double-digit wins, together with a dominating Recreation 3 efficiency in New Orleans to point out they completed because the West’s high seed — and why the many those who noticed them as a possible tender playoff opponent have been off-base.
Chris Herring: It actually felt just like the Clippers have been going to let go of the rope after blowing a 31-point lead in Recreation 4 to the Mavericks. The Dallas crowd was absolutely into it, and the Mavs managed to realize a one-point edge with a gorgeous Kyrie Irving bucket with simply over two minutes left within the recreation. The Mavs’ comeback felt inevitable for a lot of the second half. But, James Harden and Paul George, taking part in with out injured teammate Kawhi Leonard, willed their workforce to a 116-111 victory within the closing moments. Now, as an alternative of a 3-1 collection gap, LA is again even, 2-2, because it heads again West for Recreation 5.
Andrew Lopez: After two robust losses towards the Cavaliers, the Magic discovered their offense once more after they returned residence for Video games 3 and 4. Orlando put up a paltry 83 and 86 factors in Video games 1 and a pair of towards the Cavaliers however was in a position to maintain Cleveland averaging solely 96.5 factors with their protection. Orlando utterly flipped the script with enormous wins at residence profitable Video games 3 and 4 by a mixed 61 factors. Based on ESPN Stats and Data analysis, that is the most important level differential in Video games 3 and 4 after trailing 2-0 in NBA historical past. Whether or not the taking pictures travels again to Cleveland for Recreation 5 is the large query for Jamahl Mosley’s Magic.
Which workforce in both the East or the West has the most effective probability to knock off the Nuggets?
Andrew Lopez: The workforce with the most effective probability is Boston however there are nonetheless different succesful groups. As famous above, the Lakers have led for 139 minutes within the first-round collection. Final 12 months, the Timberwolves performed the Nuggets shut in four-of-five video games — profitable one — earlier than Denver defeated the Suns in six and swept the Lakers to get to the Finals. And after watching what Oklahoma Metropolis has carried out within the first spherical, whoever Denver doubtlessly meets in a convention finals (supplied they get there, too) will likely be a formidable opponent.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Let’s maintain the concentrate on the Thunder. Whereas they do not have the playoff expertise that the Nuggets do, OKC is loaded with defenders who can problem Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. Additionally they have an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who can rating when wanted, and have an athletic massive man in Chet Holmgren who can maintain Jokic busy on the defensive finish.
Kendra Andrews: Within the East it might be the Celtics, which might arrange an epic collection between the 2 groups which are favored to win the NBA Finals. If it does get to that, the Celtics would have a particularly reasonable shot at beating them to safe the title. Once you have a look at each groups, which have the identical degree of continuity and have a constant degree of regular-season success. There are groups within the West who will certainly give the Nuggets a troublesome collection, however anticipate their greatest problem to be from Boston.
Tim Bontemps: Whereas the Knicks have been unimaginable this season and can probably attain the Jap Convention finals, the Celtics are the prohibitive favorites to advance to the NBA Finals for a purpose. They have been head-and-shoulders above the competitors all season lengthy. We noticed Denver win a pair of very shut video games towards the Celtics within the common season by making extra performs down the stretch. However Boston has all the instruments to beat the champs — if that collection involves move.
Chris Herring: Expertise and scheme-wise, it is clearly Boston. That mentioned, I am very curious how the Celtics will navigate the game-to-game adversity main as much as a doable Finals matchup. After their Recreation 3 win over the Warmth final week, Jayson Tatum raised the query: Is that this workforce able to being the harder-playing aspect that punches first, moderately than merely reacting? The Celtics should reply that towards groups more difficult than a shorthanded Miami group lacking Butler — particularly in the event that they attain the convention finals and draw New York. However, if they’ll reply Tatum’s query affirmatively, the Celtics will likely be a worthy challenger to Denver.
Which participant has stood out essentially the most to date this postseason?
Tim Bontemps: There isn’t any higher match of participant, coach and metropolis than Jalen Brunson, Tom Thibodeau and New York. Even after lacking a ton of pictures by way of the primary two video games of the collection towards the 76ers (16-55 for 29% from the sector), Brunson’s strategy by no means modified. He responded with a formidable Recreation 3 and had scored 47 factors in an incandescent Recreation 4 displaying — placing the Knicks on the verge of back-to-back years with playoff collection wins for the primary time since 2000.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Kawhi Leonard attributable to his knee damage, which has been the story of the primary spherical between the Clippers and Mavs. The Clippers dominated Leonard out for Recreation 4 and his return within the postseason is unsure. In Recreation 3 he gutted out 25 minutes and completed with 9 factors and 9 rebounds however did not look wherever close to two-time Finals MVP degree. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank mentioned Leonard won’t return till he can transfer the best way he did throughout Recreation 2, when he logged 35 minutes. There are two days off between Video games 4 and 5 however after that, solely a time without work in between the remaining video games on this best-of-7 collection.
Kendra Andrews: Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves’ All-Star guard shined towards the participant he deemed his private GOAT in Durant. Edwards joined Kobe Bryant as solely gamers at age 22 or youthful to common 30 factors in a best-of-7 collection sweep in NBA historical past, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data. Edwards additionally turned the fourth participant underneath that age to common 30 factors in consecutive playoff collection, becoming a member of Luka Doncic, Tracy McGrady and Bryant. Over the previous season, we have seen Edwards evolve right into a budding star, and this playoff collection put an exclamation level on that.
Chris Herring: I will not fake that he is been essentially the most spectacular participant of those playoffs, however I nonetheless assume it is price highlighting what Myles Turner has carried out for Indiana by way of the primary 4 video games towards Milwaukee. He is averaged nearly 27 factors, eight boards and two blocks within the Pacers’ three victories — ones that noticed good (however considerably uneven) scoring outputs from each Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. Indiana will nearly definitely want that kind of big-time manufacturing from Turner to be an element within the subsequent spherical if and when it closes out the shorthanded Bucks.
Andrew Lopez: Luguentz Dort has been an absolute power on the defensive finish for the Thunder by way of three video games. His protection on Brandon Ingram has utterly disrupted the move of the offense for New Orleans who scored 89.7 factors per recreation on this collection. Ingram went 4-of-9 with Dort as the first defender towards him in Recreation 3 — just one extra area aim than what he had in Video games 1 and a pair of mixed (3-of-13) towards Dort. It allowed the Thunder to dictate play and knock the Zion Williamson-less Pelicans out of rhythm.
Ant’s 40 factors assist Timberwolves put away Suns in sweep
Anthony Edwards drops 40 factors, together with seven 3s, to assist the Timberwolves safe a sweep towards the Suns.
What’s a mid-series adjustment that may show essential for a workforce?
Kendra Andrews: The Cavaliers have to get All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell extra concerned as they have not scored greater than 100 factors in any of their video games towards the Orlando Magic. In Recreation 3, Mitchell had simply 13 factors and in Recreation 4, he completed with 18 after going scoreless within the second half. The Cavs might want to set extra screens to free him up from Orlando guard Jalen Suggs, who held Mitchell to 1-of-6 with three turnovers in Recreation 4 when serving as the first defender.
Tim Bontemps: Throughout the board, it is clearly the well being of some massive stars. Can, or will, Leonard return for the Clippers? Can, or will, Antetokounmpo and Lillard come again for the Bucks? There are many different tactical issues to have a look at throughout the playoffs, however there are none which are extra essential, or consequential, for any groups transferring ahead than questions round star accidents.
Chris Herring: Knicks heart Isaiah Hartenstein touchdown a fifth foul within the third interval Sunday initially appeared like a constructive factor for Embiid for the Sixers. Then Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau slotted stopper extraordinaire OG Anunoby and Valuable Achiuwa onto the reigning MVP. Embiid, already a bit gassed, was basically rendered powerless. The strong defensive efforts from New York compelled Embiid into 0-for-5 taking pictures and seven turnovers within the fourth quarter. Because of that adjustment, the Knicks might win the collection in 5.
Andrew Lopez: On Sunday afternoon, Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced recommended the workforce might add extra taking pictures to their lineups towards OKC whereas additionally persevering with to go along with small lineups or switching up defenses. Beginning heart Jonas Valanciunas solely performed 12 minutes in Recreation 4. Dyson Daniels obtained run behind Larry Nance Jr. as a backup 5 basically within the second half. May this additionally imply minutes are coming for rookie shooter Jordan Hawkins? Additionally, merely making open pictures may assist. The Pelicans have been 20-of-40 on open seems to be in Recreation 3 and simply 7-of-22 on open 3-pointers. Total, they’re 18-of-55 on open 3s this collection, so extra taking pictures off the bench might assist tremendously.
Ohm Youngmisuk: The Mavericks should discover life contained in the paint once more, particularly above the rim. Dallas had eight alley-oop dunks in Recreation 3, essentially the most by any workforce in a playoff recreation within the final 20 years. The Mavs owned the paint in Recreation 3 — scoring 52 factors down low — and it modified the complexion of the sport. The Clippers held the Mavs to 42 factors within the paint of their Recreation 4 win, however should restrict straightforward baskets to position gamers whereas making an attempt to decelerate Doncic and Irving.
The Suns are out. The Lakers and Bucks face early exits. Who has the hardest job this offseason?
Chris Herring: The Suns. Durant — who price them Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and 4 unprotected first-round picks in final 12 months’s commerce with the Brooklyn Nets — will likely be 36 to start out subsequent season. And Beal, who performed simply 53 video games this season, price Phoenix 4 decide swaps and 6 second-round picks. The Lakers and Bucks aren’t within the best place, both. However each have at the very least gained a title every in recent times. What precisely concerning the Suns — between their frequent accidents and their nonexistent property — evokes confidence going ahead?
Ohm Youngmisuk: The Suns. Whereas they’ve three stars in Booker, Durant and Beal, making an attempt so as to add extra items round them will likely be extremely difficult given the Suns enter the offseason with $209 million in wage, the largest payroll of any NBA workforce. Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia is extremely aggressive, needs to win now and isn’t shy about making blockbuster strikes. However given the projected $141 million wage cap for subsequent season — and people three stars incomes $150 million subsequent season, in keeping with ESPN entrance workplace insider Bobby Marks — there may not be a lot the workforce can do transferring ahead.
Kendra Andrews: The margin between who faces a more durable offseason is small, however tilts towards Phoenix as their payroll considerations, the strikes they’ll make are restricted, and coach Frank Vogel answering questions on his job safety. The Suns’ massive three solely performed in half of the common season video games collectively, although went 26-15 after they did. Now, after being swept by the Wolves in Spherical 1, the place do they go from right here?
Andrew Lopez: To not pile on, however the Suns simply have very restricted methods of transferring ahead. Phoenix understood the challenges of constructing the workforce this manner with the Durant and Beal offers have been structured. The Lakers have a a lot simpler path to getting one thing fastened and Milwaukee may’ve made a deeper run had accidents to Lillard and Antetokounmpo suffered accidents after they did. With Phoenix although, it is a robust street to get this fastened earlier than subsequent season with out making an attempt to maneuver one among their massive three.
Tim Bontemps: None of those groups have any actual flexibility to make modifications, all of them are tied. The Suns and Bucks have even much less flexibility, as a result of they are going to be properly previous the second luxurious tax apron of $189.6 million, have restricted draft capital, an getting older roster and few instruments to meaningfully improve their groups round their respective stars. So whereas all three groups will attempt to consider fixes for his or her rosters, none of them could make vital modifications except a few of these stars are a part of them.