Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves pushed past a sloppy start to steal Game 1. The Lakers’ small-ball lineup is not as effective due to the size the Timberwolves have on the defensive end, even with Rudy Gobert not seeing extended minutes (which seems to happen every year during the playoffs). Coaching adjustments will be the deciding factor in this series.
New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham has to play a lot better for the Pistons to have any chance in this series. It’s unprecedented for a team to go on a 21-0 run in a playoff game; the Pistons’ role players are the only guys that showed up. The combination of OG Anunoby’s lockdown defense on Cade, Karl-Anthony Towns’ dominance on the offensive end, and Tom Thibodeau trusting his bench has me thinking the Knicks could make a deep run.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard started off the game just as good as they have in the playoffs before. The Nuggets grinded out a comeback and proved that sometimes having the best player in a series is enough to win a game. Stylistically, these teams match up really well, so the rest of this series will definitely be a chess match.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers
Giannis Antetokounmpo looked dominant as always, but he simply needed help. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner were great for the Pacers in a game that they had to make a few adjustments due to the Bucks changing their defensive looks. Seeing Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton talking trash post-game makes me hope this series goes to seven games.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies
One of the most lopsided playoff games I’ve ever watched. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t even have to play well, it was a “by committee” performance out of the Thunder. The Grizzlies have to make more shots if they want a chance to steal a game against a team as talented as OKC.
Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner combining for nine turnovers is a recipe for disaster. The Celtics’ two all-stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, took a backseat to a Derrick White 30-point performance. It’s hard to believe any team in the Eastern Conference will be able to beat the Celtics in a seven-game series.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat
The Cavaliers never really let this game get close. They are better than the Heat at pretty much every position, and are expected to sweep. At this point, the Cavaliers just have to hope the Celtics and Bucks series go as long as possible so they can have the advantage of rest.
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler both played very efficiently. This series really comes down to whether this younger Rockets team is ready to take a step up against a very experienced Warriors roster. It will be interesting to see if Houston has what it takes to settle into this series.