The first round of the NBA Playoffs delivered the drama, tension, and twists that makes the highest level of basketball memorable and entertaining.
Shaquille O’ Neal famously said that “the real season” only starts in the playoffs. It’s true, the entire atmosphere changes, and this is also where we “separate the men from the boys.”
Beating various teams night in and night out is way different from beating the same team four times out of seven. That gap is grossly understated, and only veterans of the NBA Playoffs would recognize it.
Hall of Shame for “New Bad Boys?”
The Detroit Pistons entered the playoffs with a legitimate chip on their shoulder. They were one of the most disrespected no.1 seeds in league history. They won 60 wins, and they were just four wins away from the Western top-seeded OKC Thunder, but the projections for them are worlds apart.
The Thunder are overwhelming favorites, with -115 odds to win it all. Their Eastern counterparts averaged +2800 odds, which was lower than the other East top seeds and even Western teams. The team vowed to use the disrespect as fuel for their playoff drive.
One of the incentives of finishing at the top 2 of the Conference is facing a play-in survivor. The 7th and 8th seeds need to go fight for their positions now, and the top seeds get a slight rest. However, it seems like the play-in helped teams at the bottom get their bearings before the gargantuan challenge ahead.
Too bad for the swaggy Pistons, the odds manifested as early in the first round. After four games, the OKC Thunder have predictably finished off the Phoenix Suns in the only sweep of the round. Meanwhile, Detroit found themselves with a 1-3 deficit to the Orlando Magic, riding on the momentum of their play-in victory over Charlotte.
Gallant Stand
Injuries have been a plague for the league this season. Some stars may be disqualified for awards for failing to meet the 65 game minimum, and the predicament persisted in the playoffs. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Kevin Durant were some of the big names missing, but the Minnesota Timberwolves took a horrific turn in just one half.
They lost two starters, Donte DiVincenzo and their star, Anthony Edwards. (DiVincenzo had a torn Achilles, the worst injury in hoops) This happened in the first half of Game 4, a game they eventually won, thanks to a gallant, spirited run by their teammates.
The Nuggets eventually retaliated by taking Game 5 in Denver, and they are still seen as favorites due to missing players for the Wolves. Still, they only need one more win for the upset–something they know they can do.
Speaking of noble efforts, the Phoenix Suns held their heads up high despite getting swept. For one thing, it’s a healthy OKC team, the defending champs. Also, the expectations for the Suns were abysmal. They were projected to be a tanking team after trading Kevin Durant, possibly near the bottom.
Thus, the fans appreciated the short playoff run, and began to see sunshine in Phoenix.
Embarrassing Predictions
The odds turned out right for Detroit and OKC, but the “experts” got it all wrong in the Lakers vs Rockets series.
It’s within reason, since Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were out–the top offensive tandem in the league. But then, a 41-year old anomaly reawakened, and the “Luka” chants turned to “Luke.”
There were 15 out of 16 ESPN analysts who chose the Rockets over the Lakers. The job isn’t done, but the Lakers went up 3-0. No jinxes please.
As someone who does not learn his lesson, let’s still project the rest of the playoffs: The Nuggets will find a way, as they always do. The Spurs will be waiting, and a clash of the best big men in the world will be classic.
The Lakers will finish the job, but OKC is a tough match-up for them, Luka’s return will yield them a win or two.
The Knicks and Celtics will eventually book another chapter in their rivalry, while the Cavs will need at least six games against no.8 Orlando.
