We’re breaking down the largest questions within the NBA playoffs. Who’re the largest threats to the Celtics and Nuggets assembly within the Finals? Who has essentially the most at stake this postseason? Which participant will seize our consideration?
Our writers weigh in on what they will be watching this postseason and make their picks for each first-round collection (and the Finals). Take pleasure in!
1. Who’s the largest menace to the Celtics within the East?
Vincent Goodwill: It’s nonetheless the Bucks, regardless of their flamable methods. The Knicks might not have something left in the event that they beat the Sixers, who can’t be trusted to make it previous the second week of Might anyhow. The Bucks can’t be trusted, both. They may lose within the first spherical, or magically uncover they’ve two premier playoff destroyers, if they’re wholesome and proper.
Jake Fischer: The Knicks. They’re the No. 2 seed for a cause, and New York boasts the expertise, depth and defensive secure to fight Boston’s vaunted prime six. Any crew upending the Celtics would mark a real upset. And but the Knicks, if wholesome, have the frontcourt optionality between Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson, plus the perimeter peskiness of Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, for starters, for Jalen Brunson to steer as robust an upset bid as attainable.
Dan Devine: It’s dishonest to say “the Celtics,” proper? (Crunch-time-offense-in-the-playoffs allegations are a “responsible till confirmed harmless” sort of state of affairs.) Then I’ll go along with the winner of Knicks-76ers. If it’s New York, we’ll have seen Jalen Brunson and Co. topple a wholesome MVP; if it’s Philly, that most likely means Joel Embiid has simply turned in the perfect efficiency of his playoff profession. Both manner: a tricky out.
Dan Titus: The Sixers. Except Joe Mazzulla repeatedly attracts up Iso-Tatum performs within the clutch, the Sixers pose the largest menace to Boston. It’s going to take a few rounds to come back to fruition, however Philly has sufficient wing depth to disrupt Boston’s 3-point barrage. Nick Nurse is not Doc Rivers, and regardless of getting bounced 3 times over the past six years by Boston, the Sixers might be battle-tested and prepared for battle by the point they meet within the Jap Convention finals.
Ben Rohrbach: The Bucks. As a lot turmoil that has swirled across the Bucks, they’re nonetheless the largest menace to the Celtics — when wholesome. With out Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee may lose its first-round collection, and the identical might be stated of each crew however Boston within the East, together with the 76ers, who’ve comparable considerations about Joel Embiid. The truth is, the Celtics, the model that malfunctions within the clutch, could also be their very own greatest menace.
2. Who’s the largest menace to the Nuggets within the West?
Devine: The Thunder, who went 3-1 towards Denver this season. There’s some context to all of that: no Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in a single loss, no Aaron Gordon in one other and, most notably, no Nikola Jokić within the third. However the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-Jalen Williams combo is hard to protect; OKC has Luguentz Dort to sic on Jamal Murray; the Thunder have counters if Michael Malone stashes Jokić on Josh Giddey (get able to study Isaiah Joe, buddy); and, due to SGA and Huge Vic, OKC would have home-court benefit.
Rohrbach: The Thunder may totally understand their potential unexpectedly. They’re constructed to contend for a while, however who’s to say their time is just not now? Historical past says no, however Oklahoma Metropolis has bucked historical past all season because the youngest No. 1 seed ever by a full two-year common. The Thunder are the West’s solely crew to complete prime 5 on offense and protection, and reaching these heights on each ends is the one approach to beat Denver.
Goodwill: The Timberwolves. Minnesota was constructed by an govt who largely constructed the champion Nuggets. So it’s secure to say Tim Connelly would know higher than anybody, in a manner. Rudy Gobert cannot guard Nikola Jokić. No person can. However staying residence and utilizing the lengthy wings to make life a bit more durable elsewhere could possibly be the perfect technique, and having a supernova in Anthony Edwards take his place within the NBA’s hierarchy could possibly be fascinating.
Fischer: The Thunder. Their 3-1 collection benefit towards the reigning champs marks Denver’s worst season collection amongst all opponents (the Nuggets had been additionally 1-3 towards Houston and Sacramento). If there’s any by line between these three groups, it’s dynamic guards and playmaking facilities. The West’s prime seed definitely is flush with ball-handlers to interrupt down Denver’s lanky lineup. And Chet Holmgren clearly discovered his stride after the Finals MVP went to work welcoming the stringbean to the league in October.
Titus: The Timberwolves. Their measurement and star energy may make the Nuggets sweat in a possible second-round matchup. The Nuggets are simplest when Jokić is creating for others, and of their 4 matchups this season, the Timberwolves, with their prime protection, held Jokić to only 4.3 assists per recreation (the bottom mark of any crew this 12 months). In fact, that comes with the danger of Jokić going for a simple 30, perhaps even 40 factors. But when Minnesota’s protection can nullify everybody else, that is the trail to an exhilarating upset towards the defending champs.
3. Which first-round collection are you most excited to look at?
Rohrbach: Knicks-Sixers. Are the Knicks for actual? Does Julius Randle’s absence make all that a lot distinction within the playoffs? Can Joel Embiid get wholesome? Do the Sixers have sufficient round him? This collection will reply a number of questions, and one among them may be: Might New York vanquish Philadelphia and persuade Embiid the Knicks are in higher place to construct a contender round him? This collection will name Madison Sq. Backyard residence, in spite of everything.
Devine: Wolves-Suns. Anthony Edwards below the brightest lights; the Suns’ Huge Three really wholesome and with a bit little bit of momentum behind them after a powerful shut; Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert attempting to rewrite the postseason tales we inform about them; a matchup that appears a technique on paper, so I’m excited to learn the way it differs in apply.
Fischer: Wolves-Suns. These are two very costly payrolls clashing with out very a lot wiggle room for a Plan B to their present construct. Phoenix would appear to be holding fewer playing cards ought to their Kevin Durant-Devin Booker-Bradley Beal trio fall in need of true rivalry. The Wolves would have far better, albeit some painful, optionality on the commerce entrance if that crossroads had been to reach for Minnesota. Plus, the quantity of All-Star expertise on either side of the ground, and the actual fact Phoenix received all three matchups this season, presents an fascinating alternative for the Timberwolves to seek out some sort of underdog mentality after main the West for a lot of the season and claiming home-court benefit within the first spherical.
Titus: Clippers-Mavericks. It is a pivotal prove-it second for each groups. Keep in mind, the Mavericks did not make it to the dance final season. And whereas I anticipate this to be a aggressive collection, I am unable to belief the Clippers’ ageing trio. We do not know the way a lot we’ll get from Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden’s began his yearly late-season disappearing act, capturing 38% from the sector for the reason that All-Star break. Give me the Mavs with Luka Dončić, who’s taking part in at an MVP stage alongside Kyrie Irving and Dallas’ retooled frontcourt.
Goodwill: Wolves-Suns. And Clippers-Mavs as a detailed second. Not simply the star energy and narratives however the basketball competitors, the distinction of types. Kinds makes fights, people. Who doesn’t wish to see the Ant-Man guarding Devin Booker and vice-versa? And seeing if Kevin Durant can rev it up yet another time for the graybeards. And oh yeah, Luka’s chess match towards chess grasp Ty Lue.
4. Which participant are you most excited to look at?
Fischer: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For all the eye about OKC’s youth and inexperience, the second-youngest roster within the NBA is headlined by a stone-cold killer who just lately led Workforce Canada to its first FIBA medal since 1936, by a gauntlet that included a win towards Luka Dončić and Slovenia. SGA has completely thrived forward of the NBA playoffs. It is going to be thrilling to look at him and the remainder of the Thunder stamp their legitimacy for all to see.
Rohrbach: Anthony Edwards. He’s the smoothest participant alive, following the lineage of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Not that he’s pretty much as good as both of them, however he types video games the identical manner, taking up for stretches that make you assume, That is what basketball ought to appear to be. And what if he does attain a pantheon stage? What if this 22-year-old is on the precipice of true greatness? Then, the Timberwolves might be awfully robust to beat.
Titus: Paolo Banchero. He isn’t a family identify but, however a stable opening-round collection towards a veteran Cavaliers crew may put him on the map. He was a first-time All-Star and invaluable to the Magic this season, serving to them win 47 video games and enhance their win whole by 13 video games from final 12 months. Let’s see how the second-year professional adjusts to a playoff ambiance whereas being the first scorer and playmaker for a gritty, but inexperienced playoff crew.
Goodwill: Anthony Edwards. He may be America’s final nice hope. He floats. He flies. He talks — rather a lot. It’s the charisma these playoffs want, and he could possibly be the following star to emerge from the ether of the LeBron-Steph-KD conglomerate that could possibly be lastly tumbling down. He performs the glamour place and alternative is in entrance of him to grab away the mantle.
Devine: Paolo Banchero. The playoffs reveal how the league sees you; when a crew can lock into its plan on learn how to assault you — and when there’s just one recreation on, and everybody’s watching it — there’s no place to cover. The greats discover methods to play by that strain, escape the packing containers opponents attempt to put them in and elevate their video games. That is Banchero’s first step in that journey; I’m desperate to see him take it, and the place it takes him.
5. Who has essentially the most at stake this postseason?
Titus: Doc Rivers. A primary-round exit may put Rivers, who hasn’t received a second-round collection in over a decade, proper again on the recent seat. He has a 32% win proportion when having three wins in a collection (16-33) and boasts a 6-10 document in Recreation 7s with 4 losses on his residence courtroom. Sure, Giannis Antetokounmpo is injured, however there may be sufficient expertise on the Bucks that in the event that they fall to the Pacers, it may immediate one other teaching carousel in Milwaukee.
Goodwill: Phoenix, due to the Suns’ bold gambit. Milwaukee, as a result of after Mike Budenholzer had one too many playoff failures after which Adrian Griffin wasn’t prepared, Doc Rivers has two boulders on his shoulders — his personal and the franchise’s. I’m gonna cheat right here and say your complete Jap Convention has rather a lot on the road, which hasn’t occurred since 2007, when LeBron’s one-man street present prompted the Celtics to tilt franchise historical past with the Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen offers. Seismic change is coming, people. Who’s gonna take the danger? The following two months will decide it.
Rohrbach: The Celtics, who received 64 video games, seven greater than some other crew within the league, and posted a web score (+11.7) matched solely by Michael Jordan’s Nineties Chicago Bulls. They’re already thought of choke artists, honest or unfair, so what would possibly we are saying in the event that they fall brief on this, their finest likelihood but? And what would possibly possession resolve? No NBA core stays collectively for too lengthy, particularly costly ones that can’t end the job.
Fischer: Phoenix. The Clippers are in one other all-in, win-now construct with ageing veterans, however at the very least have Kawhi Leonard signed for a three-year extension to start Los Angeles’ period at Intuit Dome. The Suns, in a single respect, have much less furnishings rooted to the floorboards. And whereas new proprietor Mat Ishbia has confirmed a willingness to spend — draft capital for All-Star scorers, luxurious tax {dollars} to re-sign Grayson Allen, probably the most costly teaching staffs — there was an excessive amount of noise surrounding potential modifications to the teaching workers and entrance workplace ought to Phoenix fall effectively in need of its final aim. All whereas Kevin Durant continues to creep towards the twilight of his profession.
Devine: I simply did a complete podcast section about this with Tom Haberstroh; I encourage you to verify that out in its entirety! My colleagues coated the massive names, so I’ll take the Cavaliers. They handled overlapping accidents all season, however nonetheless had an opportunity on the No. 2 seed. As an alternative, staring down a first-round matchup with Philadelphia or Miami, they punted their season finale to drop to fourth, choosing what they deemed a friendlier matchup towards Orlando — a transparent indicator that they outline progress as “getting out of the primary spherical, no matter it takes.”
So … what in the event that they don’t?
What message would that ship concerning the core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley — in whose minutes Cleveland was an underwhelming plus-2.7 factors per 100 possessions? What wouldn’t it imply for Cleveland’s possibilities of getting Mitchell to re-up on a long-term extension? Might one other early exit put coach J.B. Bickerstaff or president Koby Altman on the recent seat?
Profitable would put these questions on the backburner. Falling brief, although, would possibly produce some uncomfortable solutions.
Bonus query: What’s your early Finals prediction?
Goodwill: Nuggets over whomever will get out of the East, most likely Boston. I’ve belief points with Boston, however no different crew seems to have their stuff collectively to actually problem if a gap ought to come up. Denver is the champion and not dealing with the boredom of the common season. Often having the perfect participant on the peak of his powers means June. Who am I to go towards historical past?
Fischer: Nuggets over Celtics. You received’t discover me straying from the reigning champs as long as Jokić and Co. are totally wholesome. Denver’s beginning lineup stays as near excellent of a five-man unit as they arrive. On the flip facet, it’s arduous to discover a top-six that comes near what Boston’s entrance workplace has put collectively over the previous couple of years, capping a powerful rotation with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation this previous offseason.
Rohrbach: Celtics over Nuggets. It’s the NBA Finals we deserve. And whereas Jayson Tatum is probably not the perfect participant in each collection, particularly one towards Nikola Jokić, the Celtics would possibly boast 5 of the perfect seven gamers in any collection.
Titus: Nuggets over Celtics. Each groups are too dominant. Boston is one other tier above the competitors within the East, holding a 24-10 document within the common season versus the remaining playoff and play-in groups. They’re within the prime two in offensive and defensive score, so it is no shock they had been the perfect crew all season. The Nuggets are the reigning champs and have a deep roster with only a few flaws. Their path to the Western Convention finals is extra complicated than the Celtics, however I’ve Denver profitable all of it.
Devine: Nuggets over Celtics. I don’t like chalk, however it’s very easy to put in writing with.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS: FIRST-ROUND SERIES
Dan Devine: Knicks in 7 Jake Fischer: Knicks in 7Vincent Goodwill: Knicks in 6 Tom Haberstroh: Knicks in 6 Ben Rohrbach: Knicks in 7 Dan Titus: Sixers in 6
Devine: Bucks in 7 Fischer: Pacers in 6 Goodwill: Bucks in 7 Haberstroh: Bucks in 7 Rohrbach: Pacers in 6 Titus: Bucks in 7
Devine: Magic in 6 Fischer: Magic in 6 Goodwill: Magic in 6 Haberstroh Magic in 6 Rohrbach: Cavs in 7 Titus: Cavs in 6
Devine: Nuggets in 5 Fischer: Nuggets in 5 Goodwill: Nuggets in 5 Haberstroh: Nuggets in 6 Rohrbach: Nuggets in 5 Titus: Nuggets in 5
Devine: Suns in 6 Fischer: Wolves in 7 Goodwill: Wolves in 7 Haberstroh: Wolves in 6Rohrbach: Suns in 7 Titus: Wolves in 7
Devine: Mavs in 6 Fischer: Mavs in 6 Goodwill: Mavs in 7 Haberstroh: Mavs in 7 Rohrbach: Mavs in 7 Titus: Mavs in 6
