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As the playoffs approach, the Boston Celtics, last year’s NBA champions, face a formidable challenge in the Eastern Conference after a standout season by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the Cavaliers’ impressive record, Boston remains the favorite to advance.
Cleveland’s 64 wins surpass Boston’s by three, fueled by a collective team effort and exceptional coaching from first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, who is emerging as a leading contender for NBA Coach of the Year honors.
With frontcourt stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland at the helm, Cleveland leads the league in offensive efficiency. However, they have hit a rough patch recently, posting an even 8-8 record over their last 16 games.
The performance of Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be critical for their success in the playoffs. The duo combines size and skill, renowned for their competitiveness and winning mentality.
The Celtics and Cavaliers are poised to meet in the Eastern Conference Final, with any other outcome seen as an upset. The New York Knicks, holding the No. 3 seed, have struggled against both Boston and Cleveland this season, failing to secure a win in their eight matchups. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks enter the playoffs with momentum, having finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak and possessing a championship history after their title run in 2021.
The playoff series in the East kicks off this Saturday, featuring the Knicks hosting the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers facing off against the Bucks.
FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS
No. 1 CLEVELAND vs No. 10 MIAMI
Season series: Cleveland leads, 2-1
Game 1: Sunday, at Cleveland, 7 pm ET
Cleveland has demonstrated strong team cohesion this season. No player averaged more than Mitchell’s 31.4 minutes per game, while multiple players consistently contributed over 19.7 minutes, including recent addition De’Andre Hunter, who was acquired to bolster their perimeter defense against sharp shooters like those on the Boston roster.
Until early March, the Cavaliers led the league in three-point shooting percentage, but they have since slipped to the lower ranks. Forward Evan Mobley not only earned an All-Defensive team selection in 2023 but has also stepped up his offensive output this season, while center Jarrett Allen continues to fortify their defense and rebounding presence.
Miami, despite being the No. 10 seed, should not be underestimated. The Heat demonstrated their resilience by winning play-in games on the road against both Chicago and Atlanta, with guard Tyler Herro showing significant playoff prowess. They have a history of postseason success, even with Jimmy Butler’s availability uncertain. Herro, along with Stephen Curry, is notable for having multiple 30-point games in a single play-in tournament; the Heat will need a strong showing from Bam Adebayo if they are to advance.
Prediction: Cleveland in five games.
No. 2 BOSTON vs No. 7 ORLANDO
Season series: Orlando leads, 2-1
Game 1: Sunday, at Boston, 3:30 pm ET
Boston’s shooting-heavy strategy has paid off, as the team has consistently won 50 games over the last four seasons. They led the league in both attempts and makes from beyond the arc, averaging 17.8 three-pointers per game. Tatum stood out again with a commendable scoring average of 26.8 points.
However, the Celtics have faced injury challenges, with Jaylen Brown missing 12 games since mid-February and sidelined for the last three regular-season games due to a knee issue. The health of key players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday has also impacted their ability to field a complete lineup regularly. Yet, when healthy, this Celtics squad has proven their capability. Veteran Al Horford continues to play a vital role in their success.
Orlando has experienced its own injury woes, losing players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs for significant periods. The Magic did manage to win two of their three regular-season meetings against Boston, notably restricting the Celtics to just 76 points in an April 9 contest when Boston rested its starters. Despite their challenges, Orlando ranks near the bottom in shooting efficiency and rebounding.
Prediction: Boston in four games.
No. 3 NEW YORK vs No. 6 DETROIT
Season series: Detroit leads, 3-1
Game 1: Saturday, at New York, 6 pm ET
Under coach Tom Thibodeau’s leadership, the New York Knicks revamped their roster, adding Karl-Anthony Towns to bolster their scoring alongside Jalen Brunson. This strategic move helped the Knicks achieve 51 wins, marking their best record in a decade.
Thibodeau prefers utilizing his starters for extensive minutes, with Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart currently leading the league in minutes played. Brunson, who missed nearly a month due to an ankle injury, may benefit from added rest. Nevertheless, concerns about depth and defensive execution remain as they head into the playoffs.
Contrastingly, the Detroit Pistons have made substantial progress this season, improving their win total by 30 games to reach 44 victories under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Guard Cade Cunningham, the top pick of the 2021 draft, had a stellar season, averaging 26.1 points per game. Malik Beasley is also a strong candidate for sixth man of the year, alongside Boston’s Payton Pritchard. Cunningham enjoyed success against the Knicks in the regular season, averaging over 30 points in their matchups.
Prediction: Knicks in seven games.
No. 4 INDIANA vs No. 5 MILWAUKEE
Season series: Milwaukee leads, 3-1
Game 1: Saturday, at Indiana, 1 pm ET
The Milwaukee Bucks enter the playoffs riding the momentum of an eight-game winning streak. Both the Bucks and Pacers have experienced an impressive run, each winning eight of their last ten games. This matchup is a rematch from their previous year’s first-round series, which the Pacers won. However, it is crucial to note that Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined during that series due to a calf strain.
Antetokounmpo has continued to demonstrate his value when healthy, putting up average stats typical of his caliber: 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks each game.
The Bucks are facing uncertainty regarding guard Damian Lillard, who has missed the last 14 games due to deep vein thrombosis in his calf. His absence could be felt significantly, considering he averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists during the regular season.
For the Pacers, leading scorer Pascal Siakam has been managing an injury, but he appears ready for playoff action following a brief absence. Both teams feature among the top ten in offensive efficiency.
While many teams move away from traditional point guard roles, Indiana utilizes three point guards, including All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell. The Pacers, known for their fast-paced play, rank third in assists and ninth in steals, showcasing their defensive abilities with a solid 33-14 record since the beginning of January.
Prediction: Pacers in seven games.
Source
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