NBA playoffs | Place in the second round

These are the top eight ranked teams that have won their first-round series in the NBA. No formation caused the surprise. On the occasion of the second round which begins this Sunday, here is an overview of the duels on the program.

William Theriault
The Press

Eastern Association

Heat (1) vs. 76ers (4)

The last minutes of match n^oh 6 between the 76ers and the Raptors in the first round will have a big bearing on how this series plays out. With Philadelphia leading by 29 points with four minutes left, star center Joel Embiid was still on the field. He received an accidental blow to the face from Pascal Siakam which left him with a fractured right eye socket and a mild concussion.

It is customary, however, for star players to be removed from the game in this kind of situation, precisely to avoid injury. Coach Doc Rivers could bite his fingers if Philly is quickly shown the exit door by the Heat.

On the other side, Miami, which easily dismissed the Atlanta Hawks in five games, is also affected by injuries. In fact, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry had to miss the game n^oh 5 against Atlanta. Their presence will be crucial if Erik Spoelstra’s men want to qualify for the Eastern final. They remain the favorites in this series: to lose, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Embiid would have to play their maximum with the Sixers.

Celtics (2) vs. Bucks (3)

This is a clash that will be extremely interesting to follow. On the one hand, Boston has the best defense in the NBA since the 1^er January, statistically speaking. Fullback Marcus Smart was also named Defensive Player of the Year. On the other hand, Milwaukee has among its ranks the best basketball player on the planet: Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s not the one likely to win MVP this season, but he was the one who led the Bucks to a championship title last year.

The question in this series is very simple: will the Celtics’ defense manage to contain a monster of 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists on average per game? What’s more, a monster that won the NBA title in dominant fashion last season? Although they finished the 2021-2022 campaign with a better record than their opponents, Ime Udoka’s troops are not necessarily seen as the favourites. Why ? She is responsible for dislodging the defending champions.

Western Association

Suns (1) vs. Mavericks (4)

The favorites for the NBA championship had a little more difficulty than expected to eliminate the Pelicans (8) in the first round. A pinch of underperformance and the (slight) injury of star guard Devin Booker are responsible for this, even if the latter returned to play in the sixth and final game for the Suns.

Among the Mavericks, playmaker Jalen Brunson saved the day with an average of almost 28 points against the Jazz (5), while he works more as a support holder during the season. Brunson upped his game during the absence of franchise face Luka Doncic, who returned to the field starting in the fourth game.

It would be a surprise if the Mavs, newly coached by Jason Kidd, were able to overcome a 64-win roster that boasts the talent of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder, just to name a few.

Grizzlies (2) vs. Warriors (3)

This series has the potential to be the most interesting the second round of the NBA playoffs has to offer. First, the Memphis athletes are led by the young and sensational Ja Morant, named most improved player of the 2021-2022 season. The Grizzlies’ culture drives them to want to win more than anything. By betting on the combination of their ardor and their youth, the Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. of this world could afford a ticket to the Western final.

Next, the Warriors. A veritable dynasty in the world of basketball during the second half of the 2010 decade, Golden State is coming back strong with a first good season since 2019: Steph Curry is playing very well, his teammate Klay Thompson is back, Draymond Green remains a defensive threat, and youngster Jordan Poole just hatched in the first round against the Nuggets.

It’s a duel that could easily go either way, and possibly even make it to the seven-game limit.