The 82-game long NBA regular season came to a close on April 13 after a great stretch of matchups that decided the Western Conference seeding. While the regular season brought to us NBA fans a host of exciting storylines and the ascension of several rising stars, the playoffs is where the NBA as a league truly gets to shine. After a handful of first round games have been completed, here is a recap of the playoffs so far and what we may expect going forward in each series.
Thunder vs Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies suffered a five-point loss to the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the play-in tournament, but they rebounded against the reeling Dallas Mavericks, who couldn’t keep up with the Grizzlies’ all-around offensive power despite a 40-point performance from Anthony Davis. However, facing the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round proved to be a new sort of challenge. The Thunder destroyed the Grizzlies 131-80, the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA playoff game history, while also holding the Grizzlies to a field goal percentage of 34.4 percent. The next game was only slightly better for the Grizzlies, as they dropped game 2 118-99. As the series moved to Memphis for their home game matchups, the only glimpse of hope for the Grizzlies is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has yet to have a prolific and efficient shooting night. This has not slowed down the Thunder’s offense in any way thus far.
Nuggets vs Clippers
In perhaps the most exciting series of the playoffs so far, the teams are tied 1-1. In Game 1, the Denver Nuggets snuck by the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110, thanks to great performances by Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, as well as a couple of clutch plays by Russell Westbrook. However, the Clippers responded with a 105-102 win in Game 2, thanks in large part to a vintage 39-point night from Kawhi Leonard. With Game 3 and 4 heading to Los Angeles, and with Leonard and Jokic putting on display their superstar abilities, the series will come down to how great each team’s secondary stars and role players can be.
Lakers vs Timberwolves
Led by Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a statement game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1, defeating the Lakers 117-95. Bringing defensive intensity and taking advantage of the Lakers’ help defense, the Timberwolves shot the lights out and made the Lakers’ offense look stagnant for large parts of the game. Seeing the importance of evening the series, the Lakers stormed back in Game 2 winning 94-85, led by a great shooting night from Luka Doncic and an impactful defensive performance by LeBron James. Game 3 will test the Lakers’ ability to handle playoff intensity in a hostile environment, as they look to gain some offensive momentum after dealing with two games of Minnesota defensive pressure and physicality.
Warriors vs Rockets
Falling into the play-in after losing two of their last three regular season games, the Golden State Warriors took care of business against the Grizzlies thanks to monster performances by Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler. Heading into the Houston Rockets’ home stadium to face a team headed by several upstarted talents to the fourth-best record of the regular season, the Warriors struck first, winning Game 1 95-85. The game saw the Rockets’ offense struggle, and while their defense was able to hold everyone aside from Curry and Butler to under 15 points, they lacked the same defensive efficiency they displayed in their previous matchup in the regular season. If the Rockets want to have a real chance to advance to the second round, splitting their first home games is a must.
Cavaliers vs Heat
The Miami Heat, becoming the first tenth-seed to make the playoffs in play-in history after trouncing the Chicago Bulls and narrowly defeating a Trae Young-powered Atlanta Hawks team for the right to play the Cleveland Cavaliers, were soundly defeated 121-100 in Game 1. While both teams had almost identical shooting efficiency from the field and the three-point line, the Cavaliers took 12 more three-point attempts and turned the ball over six fewer times. What was by no means a bad performance by the Heat was just not enough against a high-powered offensive machine like the Cavaliers. The difference in talent and playmaking on the starting lineups will likely be the difference in the series.
Pacers vs Bucks
After getting swept in the 2024 playoffs against the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics, the Indianapolis Pacers have come back with a vengeance against the Milwaukee Bucks after another impressive regular season. Despite the series’ first two games being a reminder of how Giannis Antetokounmpo has continued to be one of the league’s most dominant players on both ends of the court, the Pacers demolished the Bucks in Game 1 117-98 and then finished off the Bucks in Game 2 123-115 after fending off a Milwaukee comeback. Coming back in Game 2 from a serious injury, Damian Lillard was ineffective on offense and a complete liability on the defensive end of the floor. Game 3 will be back at Milwaukee, where the Bucks must find answers to the Pacers’ efficient offense or their playoff hopes will undoubtedly be dashed.
Knicks vs Pistons
The New York Knicks struck first, defeating the Detroit Pistons 123-112, after riding a furious 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to overcome a late third-quarter deficit. Jalen Brunson was the offensive anchor for much of the game, putting up 34 points on 27 shots. Karl-Anthony Towns proved to be the other offensive difference maker, scoring 23 on 14 shots. However, in Game 2, the Pistons won their first playoff game in 17 years, 100-94. Cade Cunningham was excellent, shooting 11-21 with 33 points. Dennis Schroder also made his mark on the game, providing a much-needed offensive boost off the bench with 20 points of his own. With the series tied 1-1, neither team has a clear advantage over the other. Both teams have demonstrated their abilities to close out the fourth quarter in tight games, and the outcome of the series will likely be determined by which team does this better in the coming games.
Celtics vs Magic
Coming out of the Eastern Conference play-in after dismantling the Hawks, the Orlando Magic lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 1, 103-86. Despite an impressive performance by Paolo Banchero, who put up 36 points on 27 shots, it was the Celtics who rose to the occasion, holding the Magic offense to 42 percent from the field. The Celtics got strong offensive games from Derrick White, who shot 7-12 from beyond the arc, Payton Pritchard off the bench, and decent games from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The depth of Boston proved to be too much for the young stars-led Magic team, and it will take some heroic shot making down the roster for the Magic to be able to win the series.
