J-Speaks: 2023 NBA Playoff Preview

With the most exciting, dramatic, and nail-biting season in a long time in the National Basketball Association (NBA), we now begin the most anticipated postseason in many years. In the Eastern Conference, the top three squads from “Beantown,” “The Cheese State” and the city of “Brotherly Love” enters this postseason as legit title contenders. In the Western Conference, for the first time all five teams from the Pacific Division made the Playoffs and four out of the five are playing one another in the opening-round of the postseason with the defending NBA champions going up against their Interstate 80 rivals of Northern California. Both teams on opposite ends of New York City are back in the Playoffs for the first time since 2013. We will explore all of that and more in the J-Speaks 2023 NBA Playoff Preview.

Eastern Conference

(8) Miami Heat versus (1) Milwaukee Bucks
          (44-38)                               (58-24)

Regular season series: Tied 2-2.

Playoff History: MIA defeated MIL 4-0 2013 Eastern Conference First Round
                            MIA defeated MIL 4-1 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals
                            MIL defeated MIA 4-0 2021 Eastern Conference First Round

A season ago, the boys from “South Beach” and the boys from the Midwest were two of the last four teams left in the hunt to represent the East in The Finals. This season, it looked promising that these two squads who have seen each other in the postseason in recent years would be in the hunt for the Larry O’Brien trophy again. However, the 2021 NBA champions have lived up to their billing while the three-time NBA champions from South Florida needed the Play-In round just to make the Playoffs. Now those boys from “South Beach” face off against the squad that is looking to make another championship run like they did two springs ago.

While the Milwaukee Bucks have dealt with their share of injuries and some up-and-down play early in 2022-23, they turned up the volume on their play behind a 16-game winning streak (Jan. 23-Mar.4) and surpassed the Boston Celtics to be the No. 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference. They closed the season with a record of 29-7 over their final 36 games of their regular season, including a 17-7 record post All-Star break.

The Bucks achieved this mark despite the fact that their All-Star trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday totaled 236 minutes together on the hardwood, the 35^th most used trio in the league in 2022-23.

All three totaled just 25 games, including only once in the four-game season series against the Heat, with Middleton starting just 12 of those 25 games.

Antetokounmpo played in only two of the four games against the Heat during the regular season, averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds on 62.5 percent shooting.

In the Bucks victory (123-115) versus the Heat on Feb. 4, Antetokounmpo notched a triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists on 13/19 shooting and 9/16 at the foul line.  

One top reason the Bucks stroll into this postseason brewing with confidence is the play of top candidate for Kia MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.1 ppg-5^th NBA, 11.8 rpg-3^rd NBA, 5.7 apg, 55.3 FG%), who averaged a career-high in scoring and showed utter dominance at both ends of the floor.

Antetokounmpo is part of a solid starting quartet that includes fellow perennial All-Star Khris Middleton (15.1 ppg, 4.9 apg), who after dealing with wrist surgery and a knee issue in the early portion of this season has played to the level that made the Bucks champions two seasons back.

Jrue Holiday (19.3 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.1 rpg, 47.9 FG%, 38.4 3-Pt.%), who continued to show that he is one of the best two-way players in the league.

Brook Lopez (15.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 bpg-3^rd NBA, 53.1 FG%, 37.4 3-Pt.%), whose solid health this season has resulted in him not only one of his best seasons as a scorer at the basket and from three-point range but also as one of the best rim protectors in the league.

Then there is Grayson Allen (10.4 ppg, 44.0 FG%, 39.9 3-Pt.%) whose floor spacing as a shooter has provided room for his teammates to thrive whether it Antetokounmpo and Lopez in the paint or Holiday and Middleton from three, mid-range, the mid-post or at the basket as well.

Along with an incredible starting quintet, the Bucks are loaded off the bench led by Kia Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Bobby Portis (14.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 49.6 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt.%), Jevon Carter (8.0 ppg, 42.1 3-Pt.%), Pat Connaughton (7.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Joe Ingles (6.9 ppg, 43.5 FG%, 40.9 3-Pt.%), Jae Crowder (6.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 47.9 FG%, 43.6 3-Pt.%), Goran Dragic, Meyers Leonard, and Wesley Matthews.

The chemistry that has been built over the past few seasons under head coach Mike Budenholzer. Their elite ability to play both ends of the hardwood and being healthy is why the Bucks enter these Playoffs as the favorites to win their third title in franchise history.

They understand what time of the year it is and leading that focus is their two-time Kia MVP in Antetokounmpo.

“It’s a great accomplishment. I was happy when I won my first two,” Antetokounmpo said after the Bucks win (117-104) Apr. 2 versus the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Great compliment to be the Most Valuable Player in the league. I’m happy the last five years I’m able to be in the conversation [for MVP]. I’m happy I’m able to be consistent. I’m happy I’m able to help my team be great.”

“But that’s the goal. That’s the only goal. Try to keep having—keep putting myself in the position to help my team be great.”

That level of greatness Antetokounmpo strives for began following the Bucks disappointing finish to 2019-20 season where in the restart in Orlando, FL they were taken down in the East Semis by their First-Round opponent to start the 2023 Playoffs in the Heat 4-1.

In the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Bucks swept the Heat 4-0 on their way to their first title in 1971 led by Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was Lew Alcindor at the time.

The 2022-23 portion of the Miami Heat dealt with injuries and inconsistent play at the offensive end. Because they lost all three regular season tilts against the Brooklyn Nets, the Heat finished No. 7 in the East and had to earn their fourth straight postseason appearance through the Play-In Tournament.

Those postseason prospects were not promising after the Heat dropped their tilt versus the Atlanta Hawks 116-105 this past Tuesday night on TNT as they clinched the No. 7 spot in the East and a First-Round date with the No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics.

The Heat, who were down by as many as 24 points to the Hawks were outrebounded 63-39, including 22-6 on the offensive glass. Outscored 64-46 in the paint and 26-6 in second chance points.    

While the Heat got 33 points off the bench from perennial All-Star Kyle Lowry, on 11/16 shooting, including 6/9 from three and 26 points and six rebounds from Tyler Herro, fellow All-Stars Jimmy Butler had 21 points but was just 6/19 shooting and Bam Adebayo had just 12 points with nine boards, three steals and two blocks.

With their season hanging in the balance, head coach Erik Spoelstra’s squad was at their best in the fourth quarter and took down the Chicago Bulls 102-91 to clinch the No. 8 and final Playoff spot in the East.

After trailing 90-89 with three minutes left in their season, the Heat closed the game on a 15-1 run, making all three of their field goals and going 8/10 at the foul line, while holding the Bulls to 0/6 from the field, including 0/3 on their triple tries.  

Butler came through with a spectacular performance, scoring 13 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, going 11/24 from the field and 9/10 at the charity stripe.  

Max Strus, a Chicago native, who went to DePaul University also scored 31 points going 7/12 from three-point range and 8/8 at the foul line with six rebounds. It was the six time in Strus’ career that he has made seven threes or more in a game (regular season or Play-In/Playoffs).

“That’s the way we’ve been playing basketball all year,” Butler said postgame about the Heat’s games this season coming down to the final five minutes. “When games on the line and it gets close like that, we always find a way.”

“Whether you’re making shots or not, we’re expected to win and I think we did that in a major way tonight. We stayed together. It’s a game of runs and we did what we’re supposed to do.”  

There are two guarantees about the Heat, especially during the Butler era. They will compete and bring it defensively.

All you have to do to understand that is listen to the words of Coach Spoelstra following the win versus the Bulls about going against the top seeded Bucks.

“We have great respect for that team. But we feel like were Navy Seals. Just drop us off in parachutes and lets go compete.”

If they want to have a chance taking down the Bucks again like they did three springs back, they will have manufactured some kind of consistency at the offensive end.

In their season series against the Bucks, the Heat managed to average just 108.3 points per game on 29.1 percent from three-point range. That was just a tick above their regular-season scoring average of 109.5 points, which was at the bottom of the league on just 34.4 percent on their triple tries.

The Heat will need Butler (22.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.8 spg, 53.9 FG%) to be at his best, especially in the clutch, where he was named a finalist at the close of this past week as the Clutch Player of the Year.

“Man, I think we can win. But I’m never going to say we’re going to lose,” Butler, who averaged 22.4 points and 6.3 boards on 53.4 percent shooting said after win over the Bulls about facing the Bucks.

“But we’ve got to play the same good basketball. We’ve got to do all the little things correct.”

What they also need is for Adebayo (20.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 54.0 FG%) to play like he did in the regular season. While he did have 17 rebounds versus the Bulls on Friday night, if he can only manage just eight points on 1/9 shooting, the Heat will be going home early.

On top of that, Herro (20.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 43.9 FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.%), Strus (11.5 ppg, 35.0 3-Pt%), Victor Oladipo (10.7 ppg), Caleb Martin (9.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 46.3 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%), and Gabe Vincent (9.4 ppg) to consistently strike a match from the perimeter, especially from three.

In the Heat’s 108-102 triumph versus the Bucks on Jan. 12 on ESPN, Vincent had a career-high 28 points off the bench with six assists on 10/17 from the field and 5/11 from three. Adebayo had 24 points and 12 rebounds on 11/19 shooting. Butler also had a double-double of 17 points and 11 assists with five boards. Strus also tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

In the rematch two days later in “South Beach,” the Heat won again 111-95 as Vincent registered 27 points and five steals on 11/14 from the field, including 5/8 from three. Adebayo had 20 points and 13 rebounds on 9/19 shooting with two block shots. Oladipo added 20 points off the bench and Butler had 16 points.

Late in the season, the Heat in need of some more depth in the front court added veterans Kevin Love (8.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) off waivers from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cody Zeller (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 62.7 FG%). It has been a mixed bag with those two additions. But if the Heat are going to have a chance to compete against one of the best front courts in the league in the Bucks’ Antetokounmpo, Lopez, and Portis, Love and Zeller have to bring on both sides.   

The Heat will be competitive in this series. This will not be a cakewalk for the Bucks. But just like 2021, the Bucks are simply deeper. Have a more consistent offensive balance and they have the best player in this matchup in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who his hungry for another title.

Prediction: Bucks in five.

(5) New York Knicks versus (4) Cleveland Cavaliers
             (47-35)                                        (51-31)

Regular season series: Knicks won 3-1.

Playoff History: NYK defeated CLE 2-0 1978 Eastern Conference First Round
                            NYK defeated CLE 3-1 1995 Eastern Conference First Round
                            NYK defeated CLE 3-0 1996 Eastern Conference First Round

Last summer when the Utah Jazz were ready to move on from their roster as constructed, it was presumed that their three-time All-Star guard was going to be dealt back home to “The Big Apple.” The issue was that the team that calls NYC home did not want to trade the farm to get him. The squad from “The Land” came to the table with an offer and acquired said All-Star and he helped guide them back to the postseason after a four-year absence. Now that New York native and his new team will take on the team he rooted for as a youth in their fourth postseason bought.

When the Utah Jazz decided that they were ready to overhaul their roster and deal some of their key personnel, their All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, a native of New York was linked in talks that his next place of employment was going to be with the New York Knicks.

However their front office brass of Leon Rose, William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley and Scott Perry did not want to part with their young players and draft capital.

The Knicks’ big move was the signing of free agent lead guard Jalen Brunson (24.0 ppg, 6.2 apg, 49.1 FG%, 41.6 3-Pt.%), who proved to be worth every big of the four-year, $104 million deal they signed him to.

Brunson who was reunited with former agent and family friend in Rose, his dad in Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, who played for now Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was the lead guard and connective tissue that brought the best out of his new teammates.

Julius Randle (25.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 46.0 FG%), who had a rough 2021-22 bounced back to have the best season of his career.

The players that were in trade talks for Mitchell in RJ Barrett (19.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Immanuel Quickley (14.9 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt.%), Quentin Grimes (11.3 ppg, 46.8 FG%, 38.6 3-Pt.%), and Obi Toppin (7.4 ppg, 44.6 FG%) all had solid or career years.

They got solid play in the pivot from Mitchell Robinson (7.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 67.1 FG%), and Isaiah Hartenstein (5.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 53.5 FG%).

That coupled with the acquisition of Josh Hart (9.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 52.9 FG%, 37.2 3-Pt.%) on Feb. 9 trade deadline from the Portland Trail Blazers helped the Knicks go from a 10-13 start to just their second Playoff appearance in a decade.

In fact, the Knicks started 9-0 with Hart in the lineup and went 17-9 since his arrival to the Knicks.  

The Cavaliers, who acquired Mitchell (28.3 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.5 spg, 48.4 FG%, 38.63-Pt.%) on Sept. 3, 2022 earned their punched their ticket to the Playoffs for the first time since LeBron James last season in his second stint in 2018.

To put into clearer context of how significant the Cavs making the postseason this spring is, it is the first time they have made the Playoffs without James on the roster since 1997-98 squad led by perennial All-Star Shawn Kemp and rookie lead guard now the color analyst for the Memphis Grizzlies Brevin Knight.

It is also the first time the Cavs have posted 50-plus regular season wins since 1992-93, when Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Larry Nance, Sr., Craig Ehlo, Hall of Fame head coach Lenny Wilkens squad produced a 54-28 record.  

Mitchell, who had the best season of his six-year NBA career played a major role in the team’s most wins since wining 51 games in 2016-17 certainly showed out against Knicks in their four-game season-series averaging 31.8 points and 7.5 assists in the four games on 50.6 percent from the field and 46.8 on his threes.

Mitchell and All-Star lead guard Darius Garland (21.6 ppg, 7.8 apg-7^th NBA, 46.2 FG%, 41.0 3-Pt.%) have fit very well together.

The frontcourt tandem of second-year forward Evan Mobley (16.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 55.4 FG%) and Jarrett Allen 14.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 64.4 FG%-5^th NBA) played a major role in the Cavaliers being a top notched defense in the league for a second straight season.

While they have face scrutiny at times this season, the supporting cast of Caris LeVert (12.1 ppg, 3.9 apg, 39.2 3-Pt.%), Cedi Osman (8.7 ppg, 45.1 FG%, 37.2 3-Pt.%), Isaac Okoro (6.4 ppg, 49.4 FG%, 36.3 3-Pt.%), Lamar Stevens, Ricky Rubio had their moments.

The Cavaliers led the NBA in points allowed at 106.9 and were No. 7 in opponent’s field goal percentage at 46.8 percent. They also were No. 5 with a +5.4-point differential in the regular season.  

In clutch time this season, the Cavs were 24-21 and were 27-10 outside of games within five points the final five minutes of the final period/overtime.

“When we’re at our best, we’re a tough out for anybody,” Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said about his team entering the 2023 Playoffs.

This series between the Knicks and Cavaliers though will be more than just about how Mitchell and Brunson play.

It will first come down to how healthy Randle, who after playing the first 77 games of this regular season, Randle was on the shelf the final five games with a left ankle sprain sustained in the Knicks 101-92 victory Mar. 29 versus Heat. The Knicks finished 3-2 without the two-time All-Star, who averaged 23 points, 10.3 rebounds and five assists on 40.9 percent on his threes in three games against the Cavaliers.

In a series between two teams that like to control the pace of the game, that means each offensive and defensive possession needs to be treated like gold the way these two teams play defensively.

In the first matchup on Oct. 30, 2022 won by the Cavs 121-108, they shot the lights out from three-point range hitting a franchise record 23 triples, going 23/50 and outscored the Knicks 37-15 in the fourth quarter, going 12/20 from the field, and 8/13 from three, and outrebounded their visitors 14-5. It was one of 33 double-digits win on the season by the Cavs, which led the league.

That’s despite the fact the Knicks outscored the Cavs 64-32 in the paint; 28-14 in fastbreak points; and 42-38 in bench points.

Mitchell that night led the way with 38 points and 12 assists on 12/20 from the field, including 8/13 from three. Dean Wade had a career-high 22 points on 6/8 from three. Mobley had 16 points and seven rebounds, while Allen had six points and 13 boards.

The Knicks got the better of the Cavs on Dec. 4, 2022, winning at home 92-81 holding the Cavs to 18 points in the final period.

In their second tilt versus Cavs at home, the Knicks prevailed 105-103, behind the 36 points and 13 rebounds on 11/21 from the field, including 8/13 from three by Randle.

The Knicks on this night were 17/33 on their triple tries, while the Cavs, who overcame a 13-point deficit in the second quarter and an 11-point deficit early in the fourth period were 12/33 from three.

The Cavs, who outscored the Knicks 28-25 in the final period, shot just 10/25 in the period, including 3/8 from three. That included three missed shots at the basket by Mitchell, who finished with 24 points and eight boards on 6/14 from three, but just 3/10 on two-pointers. Allen added 24 points with 12 rebounds, while Garland had 22 points and six assists on 8/10 from the foul line but just 6/17 from the field.

It was a shootout in the fourth and final tilt between the two squads on Mar. 31, where the Knicks won 130-116 at the Cavs.

The Knicks on this night shot 52.7 from the field (49/93 FGs), and 17/36 from three and outrebounded the Cavs 48-33, and 16-3 on the offensive glass, which led to 14 second chance points by the Knicks.

The Cavs after scoring 102 points on 58.2 percent shooting and 15/29 from three the first three quarters, were held to 14 points on 5/19 from the floor and 2/8 on their threes in the fourth quarter getting outscored 25-14 in the final period.

Brunson was remarkable with a career-high 48 points with nine assists on 18/32 shooting, including 7/12 from three. Barrett, who had seven boards and Quickley and Grimes, who made three triples each scored 14. Toppin scored 12 and Hart scored 11 with seven rebounds. Robinson had a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds with two blocks.

The Knicks in their three wins against the Cavs had a point differential of +17 in the fourth quarter (74-57).

The Knicks also showed against the Cavs that they can perform in the clutch going 2-1 in clutch games against the Cavs, opposed to 21-22 against everyone else. That is opposed to a 24-13 mark in non-clutch games.

“The intensity goes up each game. Got to be ready to walk through the fire,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said about the intensity the postseason brings.

Held the Cavs to 21/61 shooting in the three wins, including 8/28 from three and were a +6 on the boards (42-36).

These three showed how the Cavs were ranked No. 20 in clutch offense in the regular season, specifically Garland’s play in the clutch as he shot just 33.9 percent (21/62) in the final five minutes of the final frame/overtime.  

The Knicks along with being able to keep performing in the clutch will certainly need to bring the intensity in guarding Mitchell, who will have the likes of Grimes, Hart, Barrett and even Brunson taking their crack at slowing him down.

“I feel like I’m going out there and trying to make it as tough as I can for him,” Grimes said about guarding Mitchell. “We’ve got to guard him as a team, not just me.”

The Knicks have a slight edge in postseason experience being in the postseason in 2021. The Cavs have the best player in Donovan Mitchell, who has postseason experience and has the seventh highest scoring average in NBA Playoff history (28.6) and who the Knicks could have acquired back in the summer.

Both teams have X-factors in Julius Randle for the Knicks and Isaac Okoro and Even Mobley for the Cavs.

The Knicks are the better road going 24-17 away from Madison Square Garden this season. But the Cavs had the fourth best mark at home on the season at 31-10. They also have home court advantage and that for a young team is valuable knowing you start and end a series at home.

Predication: Knicks in seven.

(7) Atlanta Hawks versus (2) Boston Celtics
            (41-41)                                (57-25)

Regular season series: Celtics won 3-0.

Playoff History: ATL defeated BOS 4-2 2016 Eastern Conference First Round
                            BOS defeated ATL 4-2 2012 Eastern Conference First Round
                            BOS defeated ATL 4-3 2008 Eastern Conference First Round
                            BOS defeated ATL 4-3 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals
                            BOS defeated ATL 4-1 1986 Eastern Conference Semifinals
                            BOS defeated ATL 2-1 1983 Eastern Conference First Round
                            BOS defeated ATL 4-2 1973 Eastern Conference Semifinals
                            BOS defeated ATL 4-2 1972 Eastern Conference Semifinals
                            BOS defeated ST. LOUIS Hawks 4-3 1960 NBA Finals
                            St. LOUIS Hawks defeated BOS 4-2 1958  NBA Finals
                            BOS defeated ST. LOUIS Hawks 4-3 1957 NBA Finals

In a season that began with a sudden change at head coach and coming in steamed after losing in The Finals last June, the boys from “Beantown” finished with the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference and the defending champions of the East enter this postseason primed and determine to get back to The Finals and win their 18^th title in franchise history. Their first challenge are the boys from the “ATL” who too went through a coaching change and are looking to make some noise after an up-and-down season, seeking to recapture the postseason magic that had them two wins short of their first Finals appearance in five-plus decades.

The Celtics for much of this season were the top dogs in the Eastern Conference, until a slight slip gave an opening to the Milwaukee Bucks, who took advantage with a 16-game winning streak and claimed the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Even with that the Celtics had a great regular season, winning eight of their final 10 games to close the regular season winning 55-plus games and now seek to make some serious noise in the Playoffs.

They are led by their All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum (30.1 ppg- 6^th NBA, 8.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 46.6 FG%, 35.0 3-Pt%) and Jaylen Brown (26.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 49.1 FG%), who had career-years statistically across the board.

After last season’s disappointing finishing losing to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors 4-2, after leading the series 2-1, the Celtics enter this postseason want to finish the job with a title.

“Essentially been waiting for this moment, getting to the Playoffs,” Tatum said. “The group is locked in. The group is focused. Everybody’s back and healthy. So, we’re just preparing the right way.”

Things got off to a shaky start before a game was even played when then head coach Ime Udoka was suspended before the start of this season in September 2022 for inappropriate relationship with a female staffer. The leadership duties on the sideline suddenly went to assistant coach Joe Mazzulla and things ran so smoothly that before the All-Star break in middle of February signed a deal that made him the officially the Celtics new head coach.

The combination of Coach Mazzulla and the excellence of Tatum and Brown got the Celtics off to a hot start this season at 18-4 and they never looked back aside from being caught for the best record in the league and the Eastern Conference by the aforementioned Bucks.

What gives the Celtics a legitimate chance of winning the East and possibly an 18^th NBA title, which would break a tie with the hated rival Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in NBA history is the fact that the team is deeper.

The addition of Malcolm Brogdon (14.9 ppg, 3.7 apg, 4.2 rpg, 48.4 FG%, 44.4 3-Pt.%) this past offseason, Mike Muscala at the Feb. 9 trade deadline from the Thunder (6.1 ppg, 44.9 FG%, 39.1 3-Pt.%) and improvement from Sam Hauser (6.4 ppg, 45.5 FG%, 41.8 3-Pt.%) has added depth and shooting to an already solid supporting cast of Marcus Smart (11.5 ppg, 6.3 apg, 1.5 spg), Derrick White (12.4 ppg, 3.9 apg, 46.2 FG%, 38.1 3-Pt.%), Al Horford (9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 47.6 FG%, 44.6 3-Pt.%), Grant Williams (8.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 45.4 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%), and Robert Williams III (8.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 74.7 FG%).

The Celtics achieved the No. 2 Seed in East because of their ability to perform on both sides of the ball, ranking No. 1 in three-point percentage at 38.7 percent. Only the Golden State Warriors made more threes per game as well attempted more triples per contest than the 16 made threes per game on 43.2 attempts by the Celtics in the regular season.

Tatum in playing two of the three games against the Hawks in regular season averaged 26.5 points and 11 rebounds, despite shooting just 40.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent on his threes. Brown, an Atlanta, GA native averaged 23 points and five boards against the Hawks on 57.1 percent from the floor.

The former Hawks in Horford the previous four seasons (2018-22) shot 35.1 percent on his threes. His marksmanship of 44.6 percent from deep, which was tops amongst the 103 players that attempted at least 300 three-pointers.   

Along with being able to potent offensively, especially from three, the Celtics got to The Finals a season ago and have been one of the best teams in the East in recent years is because of their connectivity at the defensive end, where they No. 5 in opponent’s shooting percent at 46.3 percent; No. 4 in opponent’s three-point percentage at 34.5 percent; No. 9 in rebounding differential at +1.3; tied for No. 6 in blocks per game at 5.2; and tied for No. 4 in points allowed at 111.4.

When the Celtics were at their best defensively a season ago, Williams III, when his troublesome knee was right, he was a shot blocking, rebounding demon that created havoc with his ability to protect the basket and play against wings in space.

The hope is that Williams, who played in just 35 games this season, including just seven of the final 18 games of the regular season. If Williams III can remain healthy and be that quarterback of the Celtics defense from the paint on out along with Horford, the Celtics will be in good shape this postseason.

The Celtics opponent the Hawks are back in the Playoffs for a third straight season following a 2022-23 campaign that saw them struggle for much of it.

For the second straight season, they had to earn their way into the Playoffs through the Play-In Tournament and they punched their postseason ticket by taking down the No. 8 Seeded Miami Heat 116-105 Tuesday night on TNT and earned the No. 7 spot in the East.

They led virtually the entire game up by as many as 24 late in the opening half and led 65-50 at the half and held off a major charge by the Heat that got them to within four in the second half but the Hawks offensive board work and dominance in the paint got them the win.

They outrebounded the Heat 63-39, including 22-6 on the offensive glass. The Hawks outscored the Heat 64-46 in the paint; 26-6 in second chance points and 17-12 in fastbreak points.

It was a solid performance by a Hawks squad that has was inconsistent throughout this entire regular season.

Two postseasons back, they had a magical carpet ride that took them to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2015. It ended with a six-game defeat to the eventual NBA champion Bucks in six games.

Last season, the Hawks Playoff ride was a short one as the then No. 1 Seeded Miami Heat took them down in the opening round 4-1.

The aforementioned inconsistent play by the Hawks led to the firing of head coach Nate McMillan, who replaced then head coach Lloyd Pierce in 2020-21 and that led to them to, as mentioned, reaching the East Finals. 

After axing McMillan, the Hawks went in search of their new head coach that could turn them around. They landed on former Utah Jazz head coach and former Hawks assistant in the middle of the 2010s Quin Snyder, who the Hawks went 10-11 under and earned a spot in the Play-In as mentioned.

The Hawks headliner is All-Star Trae Young (26.2 ppg-10^th NBA, 10.2 apg-2^nd NBA) who statistically had another great season but struggled with his shooting from the field (43 percent) and from three (33.5 percent).

The though was that the acquisition of fellow All-Star Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs (20.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 spg, 46.4 FG%) would take some pressure off of Young, particularly offensively as a scorer and facilitator. The marriage has not translated into consistency in the win column for the Hawks.

It did make a difference in the Play-In game against the Heat where Young had his best game against the Heat in quite a while with 25 points, seven assists and eight boards on 8/18 shooting with three made triples. Murray chipped in with 18 points, six assists, as well as five rebounds on 7/16 shooting with also three triples.

Murray versatility on both ends will be especially important for the Hawks against the Celtics because Young has shown he can be a liability defensively.

“We all understand the moment and time of year it is. And we know how locked in we have to be,” Young said about facing a tough opponent in the Celtics.

In the season series against the Celtics, the Hawks averaged 19.0 second chance points, the most allowed to any team by the Celtics this season. The Hawks also averaged 17.3 fastbreak points against the Celtics 62.7 paint points.

The Celtics won all three games though by an average of 13.7 points. They won 126-101 in Atlanta on Nov. 16, 2022 and Mar. 11 134-125. They also won versus the Hawks in “Beantown” 120-114 last Sunday where both teams rested their starters.  

The difference in the season series was that the Celtics connected on more threes than the Hawks to the tune of 66 to 28 total the four games.

“Very talented team, well-coached,” Coach Mazzulla said of the Hawks. “They’re playing a much different style and identity than even when we played them earlier in the year at their place. And so, they have the ability to put a lot of pressure on your defense with their talent and the way they play. And so, we have to be very detailed, we’ve got to be connected defensively and we’ve tot to be very organized on the offensive end.”

If the Hawks want to make this a competitive series, Clint Capela (12.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg-5^th NBA, 65.3 FG%-6^th NBA), John Collins (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 50.8 FG%), Onyeka Okongwu (9.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 63.8 FG%) have to bring it in the paint on both ends.

They also will need Saddiq Bey (13.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 36.1 3-Pt.%), Bogdan Bogdanovic (14.0 ppg, 44.7 FG%, 40.8 3-Pt.%), De’Andre Hunter (15.4 ppg, 46.1 FG%, 35.0 3-Pt.%), rookie AJ Griffin (8.9 ppg, 46.5 FG%, 39.9 3-Pt.%) to consistently strike a match from the perimeter and off of cuts and on ball screens.

“They’re really connected offensively,” Coach Snyder said of the Celtics. “I think it’s more than them just having a lot of weapons. I think they have a feel for one another and how they play together. You can see that in the way they play. Their reads are terrific and they (have) a lot of guys that can make plays and they  want to do that for one another. Makes them really, really hard to guard.”

Coach Snyder added, “I think their versatility defensively is unique also. Some of their different lineups they can put on the floor. I don’t know who the Defensive Player of the Year will be, but I know Marcus Smart…I have a ton of respect for him. I just think he’s one of those guys that’s a heartbeat. They’re just really good.”

The Celtics have traditionally been the better team when they have played the Hawks in the Playoffs whether were in St. Louis, MS or in Atlanta. Aside from the six-game victory in 2016 and the 1958 title series win in six games, the Celtics have taken 10-2 all-time Playoff meetings against the Hawks, including the classic seven-game series where Hall of Famer and now Hawks TV color analyst Dominique Wilkins outscored fellow Hall of Famer Larry Bird 41-34 for the game. But Bird scored 20 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter and led the Celtics to victory in Game 7 at the old Boston Garden.

The Celtics have the two best players in this series in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics have a deeper and more experienced team. Above all, they are on a mission to get back to The Finals and win their 18^th title.

The Hawks a stellar player in Young, who averaged 31 points and 11 assists in two games against the Hawks in regular season. They are not ready for this challenge against the Celtics.

“Winning in the regular season just isn’t enough. Peaking in the Playoffs. Peaking in The Finals is the goal for this team,” Brogdon said on the Celtics end goal this spring.

Predication; Celtics 4-0.

(6) Brooklyn Nets versus (3) Philadelphia 76ers
            (45-37)                                  (54-28)

Regular season series: 76ers won 4-0.

Playoff History: PHI defeated BKN 4-1 2019 Eastern Conference First Round
                            NJN defeated PHI  3-2 1984 Eastern Conference First Round
                            PHI defeated NJN  2-0 1979 Eastern Conference First Round 

It was not that long ago that this was one of the most anticipated series because of the star power that was going to be on the hardwood, especially between two players that played for the opposing side. Now however, the individual headliners are represented by the “City of Brotherly love,” particularly one that is a finalist for this year’s MVP along the player that his squad acquired in exchange for a former Kia Rookie of the Year that will be on the shelf for this series. The opposition though has a scrappy young group led by a player acquired in early February that since is arrival has played the best basketball of his career and is looking to upset the team that he rooted for and cheered for growing up.

Behind a 12-game winning streak earlier in the season and an 18-2 mark during a 20-game stretch got the Nets to 14 games above .500 and they had the look of being a real threat in the Eastern Conference.

They dug out of a serious whole that they put themselves in at the start of this season beginning 2-5 and axing then head coach Steve Nash and replacing him with assistant coach Jacque Vaughn, who was their sideline leader in the 2020 restart in Orlando, FL.

However, the scope of the team changed when All-Star guard Kyrie Irving  wanted out after the Nets could not come to terms on a contract extension.

In early February just before the trade deadline, the Nets sent Irving to the Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and a 2027 First Round pick, and an unprotected First Round pick and Second Round pick in 2029.

That eventually led to the trade of two-time Finals MVP and 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns along with T.J. Warren in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, First Round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029, and a First Round pick swap in 2028.

Following the Feb. 9 trade deadline, the Nets went 13-15 and by winning the season series over the Miami Heat, held on to the No. 6 and final guaranteed Playoff spot in East.

Bridges (20.1 ppg, 46.8 FG%, 38.2 3-Pt.%) from his arrival in Brooklyn to the end of the regular season raised his level 10 notches and became the Nets undisputed best player behind averages of 26.1 points and 4.5 rebounds on 47.5 percent from the field, and 37.6 percent from three-point range in 27 games.

“He’s carried on business as usual for us,” Coach Vaughn said of Bridges, who had 3 40-plus points games as a Net. “My conversations with him is he’s going to get the same shots as we’ve had before. We’re confident he’s going to make those shots. Nothing changes from that aspect. You try to predict who is going to guard him, what he’s good at  and how you can combat some of those things.”

Johnson (15.5 ppg, 47.0 FG%, 40.4 3-Pt.%) to has risen his game since joining the Nets with averages of 16.6 points, and 4.8 rebounds, connecting on  46.8 percent of his field goals and 37.2 percent of his threes.

Dinwiddie (17.3 ppg, 6.5 apg, 36.9 3-Pt.%), in his second tour of duty with the Nets has fit in like a glove at the lead guard spot compiling 16.5 points and 9.1 assists.

Finney Smith (8.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 37.8 3-Pt%) has been solid as a perimeter defender who can make timely threes.

The four new additions along with remaining cast of Nic Claxton (12.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 70.5 FG%-Led NBA), Cam Thomas (10.6 ppg, 44.1 FG%, 38.3 3-Pt.%), Seth Curry (9.2 ppg, 46.3 FG%, 40.5 3-Pt.%), Joe Harris (7.6 ppg, 45.7 FG%, 42.6 3-Pt.%), Edmund Sumner (7.1 ppg, 46.1 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%), and Patty Mills (6.2 ppg, 36.6 3-Pt.%).

The one thing that the Nets will do in this series is take a lot of threes and when they have made 15 or more threes in a game this season, they have gone 9-1. When they made under 14 threes this season, they went just 4-14.

“They’re going to key in on our sets, and we’re gonna do them as well,” Finney-Smith said. “Everybody knows each other’s plays, everybody’s gonna probably throw a wrinkle in there, a different scout, so you just gotta figure it out as a team. They’re probably gonna guard us differently than they did in the regular season and we’ll probably do the same. It’s gonna be a lot of schemes and whatever team can adjust the quickest and apply it.”  

The Nets, who made the Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, have a real challenge against the No. 3 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers, who boast the likely league MVP of 2022-23 and a thirst to reach The Finals for the first time since 2001.

The 76ers dreams of winning a championship rest on the shoulders of potential Kia MVP Joel Embiid (33.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 54.8 FG%) who has put together a three-year stretch that is right up there with some of the best players to have played in NBA.

He has been dominated for this entire season and because of solid health for the most part unlike seasons past has allowed him to be dominant from start to finish of this regular season.

One area that Embiid was really consistent in terms of his scoring was getting the foul line an average of 11.7 attempts per game just about what he averaged a season ago at 11.8 foul shots attempts.

Embiid became the seventh player in NBA history to average at least 10 free throws made per game, totaling 661 free throw attempts in 66 games played.

That consistency was the result of Embiid being able to score at the high clip he did during the season is he took 59 percent of his field goal attempts in the paint up from 51 percent the past three seasons. He set a career-high with 63.2 percent of his shots were in the paint, a new career-high.

What is different for Embiid this season beside remaining healthy and injury free aside from some knicks and bruises is his mindset on what is at stake this postseason and how badly he not only wants to win Kia MVP but bring a title to the city of Philadelphia, PA.

“You have goals and to be able to accomplish them, you’re got to be damn near perfect,” Embiid said.

The other difference for Embiid and the 76ers this upcoming postseason as opposed to the past few seasons is the supporting cast.  

Former league MVP James Harden (21.0 ppg, 10.7 apg-Led NBA, 6.1 rpg, 44.1 FG%, 38.5 3-Pt.%) has transformed himself into a pure point guard who can score when called upon.

The chemistry that head coach Doc Rivers’ two best players in Embiid and Harden displayed in the pick-and-roll was special this season. Harden assisted on 174 of Embiid’s 491 made field goals, which was 41 more than any other 76ers combination (133). Of Harden’s 244 total assists to Embiid were 89 more than any other player to a single teammate in “The Association.”

On top of that Harden is healthy as opposed to the 2022 Playoffs where he was hampered by an injured hamstring.

“James is healthy now,” 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said at the close of this week about the health of his 10-time All-Star. “Last year, that had to be tough. I’ve never been injured that late and getting in the Playoffs. Not being in great shape in the Playoffs is not a great place to be because everyone’s running at their maximum level of physicality.

Tyrese Maxey (20.3 ppg, 48.1 FG%, 43.4 3-Pt.%) has shown to be a solid No. 3 scoring option next to Embiid and Harden. He is part of a retooled supporting cast of De’Anthony Melton (10.1 ppg, 1.6 spg, 39.0 3-Pt.%), P.J. Tucker, Danuel House, Jr., Montrezl Harrell, Georges Niang (8.2 ppg, 44.2 FG%, 40.1 3-Pt.%), Paul Reed, and Jalen McDaniels (9.4 ppg, 45.5 FG%).

That supporting cast around Embiid enters these Playoffs as the No. 1 three-point shooting team in term of percentage at 38.7 percent, even though they ranked No. 16 in threes attempted (32.6) and are No. 12 in makes (12.6).

The 76ers will have their chances to make threes in this series because during the regular season, Embiid averaged in two games played against the Nets 31.5 points and 11.5 rebounds on 50 percent from the field.

While Nic Claxton has the wingspan to pester Embiid, he is at a strength and skill disadvantage and unless the Nets really through few a plethora of double teams and triple teams, Embiid should have a dominant series and lead the 76ers easily into the East Semifinals.

One thing that Coach Rivers said on the Thursday edition of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” with Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser is that he would like to see his team to continue to be the solid defensive team and rebounding team they have become but also to play with higher pace while not being stagnant offensively.

“We have proven over the season that we can be a really good defensive team and a good rebounding team. But we have been inconsistent,” Coach Rivers said.

He added by saying to Wilbon and Kornheiser, “Offensively, pace. Like we’ll get stuck at times. The ball stops moving at times and when that happens, sometimes we win the game because Joel Embiid is better than the guy on the other team. And sometimes we win because James [Harden] is better. But you know in the Playoffs, that’s just not true and so, for us to win, we have to keep the motion and the constant movement.”

When the Nets dealt Kyrie Irving and then Kevin Durant, many in the NBA circle did not have them even making the Play-In Tournament let alone the Playoffs. They made the Playoffs as a No. 6 Seed, flirting with the No. 5 spot before the New York Knicks earned that spot.

The Nets will play hard and compete like they did during the season series but lost the first three games by nine (115-106 Nov. 22, 2022); by four Jan. 25 (137-133); and on Feb. 11 by three (101-98). The fourth meeting was won by 76ers 134-105 at the Nets with most of the key personnel on both teams resting the regular season finale on Apr. 9.

They have been knocking at the door in their quest for a title. But have been denied falling in the East Semis in four out of the past five seasons. Now the 76ers want to kick the door down and earn their title.

They understand, especially Joel Embiid and James Harden that it is now or never and Coach Rivers hopes his team embraces that pressure. Not shy away from it.

“My work here has shown. But there’s nothing wrong with being judged on what you do in the Playoffs and winning. Like there should be some kind of pressure,” he said to Wilbon and Kornheiser on the pressure of winning in Philadelphia, PA.

“We’re going to get the blame. That’s part of it. I took this job on purpose. I always say I knew what I was getting into. I knew where I was going. But this is a group [76ers] that we can win with and pressure has to come with that and I’m fine with that.”

Prediction: 76ers in five games.

Western Conference

(8) Minnesota Timberwolves versus (1) Denver Nuggets
                  (42-40)                                           (53-29)

Regular season series: Finished tied 2-2.

Playoff History: MIN defeated DEN 4-1 in Western Conference First Round.

Nearly two decades ago the boys from the “Twin Cities” won their first postseason series in franchise history taking down the boys from the “Colorado Rockies” in five games. That was the springboard to them reaching their Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual Finals runner-up in the Los Angeles Lakers. It was also the last time the team made the postseason in consecutive seasons. Back in the Playoffs for a second straight season after winning in the Play-In round face the boys from the “Colorado Rockies” who enters as the top seed in the West for the first time in franchise history.

Last season, the Timberwolves reached the Playoffs for just the second time in the previous 18 seasons by winning in the Play-In round versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

After an inconsistent regular season, they punched their postseason ticket for a second straight season with a 120-95 triumph Friday night on ESPN versus the Oklahoma City Thunder to earn the No. 8 and final Playoff spot in the Western Conference.

This came on the heels of a crushing 108-102 overtime loss Tuesday night at the Los Angeles Lakers on TNT where they blew a 15-point third quarter lead.

That defeat came in the aftermath of their victory (113-108) in their regular season finale versus the New Orleans Pelicans that was overshadowed by the second quarter scuffle between All-Star center Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson, where the 7-foot Frenchman punched Anderson during a timeout huddle and was sent to the locker room and eventually sent home from the home game.

Gobert actions led the Timberwolves front office led by General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly to suspending him for the game at the Lakers.

They also lost in that game perimeter defensive stalworth Jaden McDaniels, who after pickup a foul on All-Star forward Brandon Ingram of the Pelicans punched the tunnel wall just near the team’s bench and broke his hand.

The Timberwolves in defeat at the Lakers were led by Karl-Anthony Towns with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on 8/12 shooting.

Mike Conley, who forced overtime after making three straight free throws after being fouled by the Lakers All-Star center Anthony Davis with 00.1 seconds left in regulation had 23 points on 6/8 from three. Anderson had 12 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, four steals, and four blocks.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Timberwolves brought their best in their aforementioned win versus the Thunder outscoring them 96-72 the final three quarters.

Towns led the way again with 28 points and 11 rebounds on 11/16 shooting. Gobert in his return from one-game suspension had 21 points and 10 rebounds on 9/14 from the foul line. First time All-Star Anthony Edwards, who had just nine points on 3/17 shooting, including missing all nine of his triple tries with eight boards, five assists and three blocks bounced back with a double-double of his own with 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Conley added 14 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who started in place of McDaniels had 12 points, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

Alexander-Walker also did a solid job of defending his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder holding him to 22 points on 5/19 shooting despite going 12/12 at the foul line.

The focus now is on the top seeded Nuggets, who the Timberwolves split the season series against and won five of the past seven meeting after losing the previous 13 tilts.

They enter this series with a rising star in Edwards (24.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 spg, 45.9 FG%, 36.9 3-Pt.%) who really showed that he is the headliner of this team now and moving forward.

While they struggled to find any kind of rhythm on the floor in the limited time both had together on the hardwood this season, Towns (20.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.8 apg, 495. FG%, 36.6 3-Pt.%) and Rudy Gobert (13.4 ppg, 11.6 rpg-4^th NBA, 65.9 FG%) when right can be a force on both ends.

“To be honest, I don’t consider ourselves as an eight seed,” Gobert said after the win versus the Thunder. “We are in the standings, but I don’t consider us an eight seed. Now, it’s an amazing opportunity for us to keep getting better as a team. It’s [Nuggets] a huge challenge for us.”

Towns, who missed 52 straight games due to a Grade 3 calf strain in late November 2022 brings an element of surprise in this series having not played in any of the four games against the Nuggets.

“I mean, we should have confidence in anything we do, you know?” Towns said postgame after the win versus the Thunder on taking on the top Seeded Nuggets.

“We’re a team that’s in the Playoffs. We know the work we’ve put in all year. All the adversity we went through. So, there’s no reason to step on the court and feel like an eighth seed or have eighth seed confidence and stuff like that.”

When you lose the likes of McDaniels (12.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 51.7 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%) and Gobert’s understudy in Naz Reid (11.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 53.7 FG%), who fractured his left wrist in the team’s 107-100 loss Mar. 29 on ESPN at the Phoenix Suns that takes away two major options for head coach Chris Finch, especially McDaniels’ versatility at the defensive end.

It does open up more time for Anderson (9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 50.9 FG%, 41.0 3-Pt.%), Taurean Prince (9.1 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 38.1 3-Pt.%), the aforementioned Alexander-Walker (6.2 ppg, 44.4 FG%, 38.4 3-Pt.%), Jaylen Nowell (10.8 ppg, 44.8 FG%), and fellow reserves guards in Jordan McLaughlin and Austin Rivers.

The other real advantage that the Timberwolves have is the steady veteran presence of Conley, who was acquired in a three-team deal along with Alexander-Walker from the Jazz at the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

There have been times this season especially down the stretch where the Timberwolves have lacked poise and steadiness to get them back on track offensively and defensively. That has led to counting the Play-In loss at the Lakers 19 losses after leading by 10 points or more. That especially was proven true in the Timberwolves six-game loss in the opening round against the No. 2 Seeded Memphis Grizzlies a season ago.

In Conley, they have that steady hand that will be relied upon against the Nuggets.

“I’m just supe excited,” Conley said after the win Friday about being back in the Playoffs. “I came into this thing a few months ago, you know, trying to fit in as best I can. Continue the success they were already having and just be a part of a franchise that’s moving forward and constantly getting better.”

“This opportunity is huge for me later in my career. To still be competing. To compete at the highest level again. This is an exciting time of year. I did not want to go home today. So, super excited about it.”

As for the Denver Nuggets, they have been the best team in the Western Conference for a majority of this season led by the two-time Kia MVP, who was the front runner to earn this third straight MVP.

They were cruising right along at 46-19 on Mar 6 following a close win (118-113) versus the Toronto Raptors. They closed the season going 7-10 over their final 17 games of the regular season, which included a four-game losing streak, a two-game losing streak, and a three-game losing streak. The first of their three-game slide came on Apr. 4 versus the Draft Lottery bound Houston Rockets (124-103), which did not please head coach Michael Malone, who called his team “soft” following that defeat.

“If that’s how we’re going to play, we’ll be out in the First Round,” Coach Malone said. “When we don’t do our jobs, there’s accountability. And I speak the truth. I just called out our team, ‘soft,’ and I dared someone to challenge me. No one did because we as a group were soft tonight. I’m not saying we are soft, but tonight, we were.”

The Nuggets showed that defensive vulnerability in paint, where they ranked No. 21 in paint points allowed (52.5) in their season series against the Timberwolves.

They lost the first game (124-111) Jan. 2 at the Timberwolves getting outscored 58-54 in the paint. Giving up 51.7 percent from the field and 13/36 from three.

They dropped the third tilt 128-98 Feb. 5 at the Timberwolves, playing without All-Star Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Timberwolves, who led wire-to-wire up by as many as 34 points shot 55.2 percent from the field (48/87 FGs), registering 33 assists on their 48 made shots. Outscored the Nuggets 72-40 in the paint and 24-19 in fastbreak points.

At home, the Nuggets displayed their dominance against the Timberwolves, like they have against nearly all their opponents.

They took down the Timberwolves in a close one 122-118 on Jan. 18 overcoming a 10-point deficit early and putting the clamps on a Timberwolves comeback from 10 down.

The Nuggets outscored their visitors 74-54 in the paint and turned 19 Timberwolves turnovers into 21 points.

Jokic posted 1 of his 29 triple-doubles on the season with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists on 12/20 shooting. Murray had 28 points on 10/18 from the field.

On the backend end of their home-and-home back-to-back, the Nuggets thrashed the Timberwolves at home 146-112 on Feb. 7, leading 49-19 after the first quarter and led in the game by as many as 40 points.

The Nuggets outscored the Timberwolves again 74-54 in the paint and 22-11 in fastbreak points. Converted 17 Timberwolves turnovers into 23 points, with 12 of those 17 turnovers off of steals. Shot 62.4 percent from the floor (58/93 FGs), including 13/27 on their triples. Had 44 assists on their 58 made field goals.

Behind reigning back-to-back MVP Jokic (24.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg-2^nd NBA, 9.8 apg-3^rd NBA, 63.2 FG%-8^th NBA, 38,2 3-Pt.%), the Nuggets continued to be a solid team in the rugged Western Conference. Unfortunately, they flamed out in 2021 falling to the eventual West champion Phoenix Suns in a four-game sweep and to the eventual NBA champion Warriors in five games a season ago.

That is because they did not have Murray (20.0 ppg, 6.2 apg, 45.4 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%), the last two postseasons due to a torn ACL and Michael Porter, Jr. (17.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 48.7 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%) last postseason because of a third back surgery.

Back in the 2020 First Round versus the Jazz, won by the Nuggets in seven games, Murray had two 50-point games in a three-game span and totaled 142 points those three games of the series versus the Jazz.

That Murray is the one Nuggets fans hope to see but he is dealing with an injured thumb and admitted on Wednesday after practice he still thinks about his thumb each time, he catches the ball or shoots it.

With Murray and Porter, Jr. back and healthy for this postseason alongside Jokic, the Nuggets have that inside-outside element of their offense back that can give the likes of the Timberwolves fits.

“I think honestly, everyone in the league is so good right now, everyone’s an upset candidate,” Porter, Jr. said. “You can’t take any team lightly. You look across the board, no one knows who’s going to win any of these series. So, I think it’s just about who prepares the most. We have faith in ourselves, we have confidence in ourselves, and we just got to go out there and execute.”

Coach Malone also has a solid supporting cast flanking Jokic, Murray, and Porter, Jr. in Gordon (16.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 56.4 FG%), Bruce Brown (11.5 ppg, 48.3 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.%), Caldwell-Pope (10.8 ppg, 46.2 FG%, 42.3 3-Pt%), Jeff Green (7.8 ppg, 48.8 FG%), Reggie Jackson (10.2 ppg, 46.6 FG%), Zeke Nnaji, Vlatko Cancar

The Nuggets fortified that supporting cast at the Feb. 9 trade deadline with the acquisition of Thomas Bryant (9.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 62.3 FG%) from the Lakers and signing off waivers Reggie Jackson (10.2 ppg, 46.6 FG%).

While the Nuggets have displayed their vulnerability at the defensive end, they have shown that they can get stops consistently in the nail-biting moments of a game ranking third in clutch defense in the league.

The other thing Coach Malone says that gives him confidence entering this postseason is that his team is an impressive 13-4 in the regular season against the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers.

“Being healthy also gives me confidence,” Coach Malone added earlier this past week. “When we’re fully healthy and guys are in the right place mentally, that allows us to go out there and play our game at the highest level possible. I do believe that our guys are ready for that challenge.”    

There is real pressure on the Nuggets to advance at least to the Western Conference Finals. They have made the Playoffs five straight seasons and while they reached the West Finals in 2020 that was on the heels of overcoming two 3-1 series deficits versus the Jazz and Clippers. With a healthy Jamal Murry and Michael Porter, Jr. flanking Nikola Jokic along with a solid supporting cast, there are no more excuses. They have a better roster than the Timberwolves and a real home court advantage going 34-7 at Ball Arena.

Prediction: Nuggets in six games.

(5) Los Angels Clippers versus (4) Phoenix Suns
            (44-38)                                                   (45-37)

Regular season series: 76ers won 4-0.

Two springs back, the boys from the “Valley of the Sun” in their first postseason appearance since 2010 reached the NBA Finals after taking down the so-called other team from L.A. 4-2 in the West Finals. They unfortunately lost to the eventual NBA champions. In February, they made a blockbuster trade that had fans thinking that they can finish what they couldn’t in 1993 and 2021. Their first challenge is against the team they took down to reach the title round two seasons back who come in without one half of their dynamic perennial All-Star.

The fortunes for this season for the Phoenix Suns changed at the Feb. 9 trade deadline with the acquisition of 13-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection and four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant (29.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 56.0 FG%, 40.4 3-Pt.%), who joined Hall of Famers in former two-time MVP of the Suns Steve Nash and Larry Bird to achieve multiple seasons shooting 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 90 percent at the charity stripe.

While a knee injury and an ankle sprain limited Durant to just eight games, the Suns were a perfect 8-0 with him in the lineup where they averaged 116.1 points on 48.9 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three.

The addition of Durant gave the Suns a legit trio with perennial All-Stars in Devin Booker (27.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.5 rpg, 49.4 FG%, 35. 1 3-Pt.%) and Chris Paul (13.9 ppg, 8.9 apg-4^th NBA, 1.5 spg, 44.0 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.%) and legit quartet if you count Deandre Ayton (18.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 58.8 FG%).

That powerful foursome for head coach Monty Williams is complimented by a supporting cast of Cameron Payne (10.3 ppg, 4.5 apg, 36.8 3-Pt.%), Terrence Ross (8.3 ppg, 36.8 3-Pt.%), Landry Shamet (8.7 ppg, 37.7 3-Pt.%), Damion Lee (8.2 ppg, 44.2 FG%, 44.5 3-Pt.%), Torrey Craig (7.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 45.6 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%), Josh Okogie (7.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Jock Landale (6.6 ppg, 52.8 FG%), Bismack Biyombo, and T.J. Warren.

Following a three-game losing streak (Mar. 19-25), the Suns won six in a row and closed the regular season 7-2 to claim the No. 4 Seed and home court advantage in this First Round tilt against the Los Angeles Clippers due to the Suns having a better conference record at 30-22 compared to the 27-25 mark of the Clippers.

Speaking of the Clippers, head coach Tyronn Lue’s squad come into the 2023 Playoffs without a key member of their squad in perennial All-Star Paul George (23.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.5 spg, 45,7 FG%, 37.1 3-Pt.%), who injured his right knee Mar. 21 versus the Thunder.

Since George and fellow perennial All-Star Kawhi Leonard (23.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 51.2 FG%, 41.6 3-Pt.%) joined the Clippers in 2019-20, injuries to both have yet to cash in on their title aspirations.

Clippers Record By Availability Of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George Since 2019-20 (Regular Season and Postseason)
With Leonard and George 96-46 record:                     .676 win%
With Just Leonard 27-16 record:                                  .628 win%
With Just George: 43-36 record:                                   .544 win%
Without Both Leonard and George: 33-43 record:     .434 win%

During the regular season, the Clippers went 24-14 with Leonard and George in the lineup but were just 16-15 without their two perennial All-Stars.

When they made the Western Conference Finals against the Suns in 2021, Leonard was on the shelf after slightly tearing his right ACL in Game 4 of the West Semis against the Utah Jazz that sidelined him all last season.

What makes George being for entering this postseason such a heartbreaker is the Clippers surrounded him and Leonard with the best supporting cast they have had during this era.

At the Feb. 9 trade deadline, they acquired Eric Gordon (12.4 ppg, 44.6 FG%, 37.1 3-Pt.%), Bones Hyland (11.8 ppg, 37.1 3-Pt.%), and Mason Plumlee (10.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 68.0 FG%-2^nd NBA). They also added post All-Star break perennial All-Star and 2017 Kia MVP Russell Westbrook (15.9 ppg, 7.5 apg-8^th NBA, 5.8 rpg, 43.6 FG%).

Those additions alongside Norman Powell (17.0 ppg, 47.9 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%), Marcus Morris, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 36.5 3-Pt.%), Terance Mann (8.8 ppg, 51.9 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%), Ivica Zubac (10.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 63.4 FG%-7^th NBA), Nicolas Batum (6.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 39.1 3-Pt.%), and Robert Covington (6.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 44.5 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%).

The Suns captured the first two meetings against the Clippers Oct. 23, 2022 (112-95) and Dec. 15, 2022 (111-95). The Clippers won the next two meetings on Feb 16, 2023 (116-107) and in the regular season finale (119-114), which clinched the No. 5 Seed in the West.

As important as the depth and the three-point shooting on both sides that will be keys to who wins this series, how the Clippers try to slow down Durant will be the main key.

Durant, who averaged 26 points and 6.4 rebounds in eight games with the Suns 57 percent from the floor and 53.4 percent on his triples will see a great deal of Leonard as well as Powell, Mann, and Batum.

“I mean, he’s a great player,” Leonard said of Durant. “These are the fun parts of it. Just going out there, getting to compete against a guy like him that’s been doing it year after year. Yeah, everybody is going to have to take the challenge, not just me. It is a team sport.”

The other focus of this series will be the health and production of Paul, who will turn 38 later this postseason. This season saw Paul have his lowest scoring and shooting averages in his career but continued to be an incredible distributor as well as an incredible leader.

Another part of this series is former teammates in Westbrook and Durant, who played eight seasons together with the Thunder, guiding them to the 2012 Finals will square off against each other with just one of them moving on this postseason.

“It’ll be normal for me. I think people still think there’s some beef or something,” Westbrook told reporters about when Durant left the Thunder in free agency in summer 2016 for the Warriors. “There’s no beef. I got nothing but respect for him and things he’s done with his career. Happy to see him back from injury.”

Durant echoed those same feelings about Westbrook saying that he is “competitive against any player he plays against.”

“I don’t think it was just specific to me. I think a lot of the fans and people that were watching, it was high intensity for them. It was entertaining for them.”  

For the first time in NBA history, the Pacific Division saw all four California teams as well as the boys from the “Valley of the Sun” made the Playoffs. Four of the five teams are playing against each other, with the Suns and Clippers facing off against each other.

It had all the makings of a classic. But without George, the Clippers chances of winning this series are very slim, especially going against a Suns squad that is looking to avenge their disappointing finish to last postseason where they were thrashed in Game 7 of the West Semis versus the Dallas Mavericks.

With the acquisitions of Kevin Durant and Chris Paul in the twilight of his career, the Suns feel like this is the year to win the franchise’s first title in franchise history.

“Chemistry matter, being on the same page with your teammates matters,” Durant told reporters earlier in the week. “ In a perfect world, I would have loved to play more than eight games with this team. But I’ve just got to rest on me playing 1,000 games in the NBA. I’ll figure it out.”

Prediction: Suns in six games.    

(7) Los Angeles Lakers versus (2) Memphis Grizzlies
                (43-39)                                       (51-31)

Regular season series: Lakers won 2-1.

Playoff History: First Ever Postseason Meeting.  

There is saying in sports that it is not how you start but how you finish. There is also that adversity will bring the best or the worst out of you. For the boys from the “City of Angels” and the 2.0 version of Grit N’ Grind” adversity did bring the best out of them. In the case of the boys that call “Hollywood” home, they had a miserable start to this season and through key deals at the trade deadline and the return to health of their star duo, they enter this First Round tilt with all the confidence in the world they can win this series and possibly represent the Western Conference in The Finals possibly.

The Los Angeles Lakers under first-year head coach Darvin Ham got off to a 2-10 start including an 0-6 start on the road and it felt like the sky was falling. That was especially the feeling when they lost star center Anthony Davis to a foot injury that cost him 20 games from the middle of December 2022 to late January.

The Lakers held serve going 10-10 without Davis and held serve going 8-5 without James who suffered a foot injury in the win (111-108) Feb. 26 at the Dallas Mavericks on ABC.

While the returns of James (28.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 6.8 apg, 50.0 FG%) and Davis (25.9 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 56.3 FG%) played a part in the Lakers being 16-7 post All-Star break, two big time trades by the lieutenant in the Lakers front office in Rob Pelinka brought a better balance to the roster as well as cohesiveness and production on the hardwood.

In a three-team deal, the Lakers acquired from the Timberwolves D’Angelo Russell (17.8 ppg, 6.2 apg, 46.9 FG%, 39.6 3-Pt.%) and Malike Beasley (12.7 ppg, 35.7 3-Pt.%), and Jarred Vanderbilt (7.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 54.8 FG%) from the Jazz, off loading All-Star and 2017 Kia MVP Russell Westbrook.

In a trade with the Washington Wizards in late January, the Lakers added Rui Hachimura (11.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.6 FG%).

Those additions coupled supporting cast of Austin Reaves (13.0 ppg, 52.9 FG%, 39.8 3-Pt.%), Dennis Schroder (12.6 ppg, 4.5 apg), Troy Brown, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 38.1 3-Pt.%), Lonnie Walker IV (11.7 ppg, 44.8 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) is how they finished 18-8 post Feb. 9 trade deadline.

The Lakers punched their ticket to the postseason as the No. 7 Seed with a 108-102 overtime win in their Play-In tilt versus the Timberwolves last Tuesday on TNT.

They overcame a 15-point deficit in the third quarter and an 11-point deficit early in the fourth quarter outscoring their visitors 10-3 the final six minutes of the fourth period and 10-4 in overtime.

The Lakers took the lead late in regulation when James on a drive found Schroder in the left corner for a three. But moment later on Timberwolves next possession Mike Conley drew a foul from Davis on a three-point attempt and he canned all three chances at the charity stripe force OT.

James finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 12/21 from the field and 3/6 from three. Davis had 24 points and 15 rebounds with three block shots on 10/19 from the field. Schroder had 21 points, making three of his four threes and went 8/8 from the foul line.

The Lakers First Round opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies on the surface had another great season and enter the 2023 Playoffs again as the No. 2 Seed for the second straight spring.

Following a seven-game winning streak (Mar. 17-29), the Grizzlies lost four of their finals seven games to close the regular season.

Problems for the Grizzlies began when they lost starting center Steven Adams (8.6 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 59.7 FG%) what turned out to be the rest of regular season and this postseason likely because of knee injury, which occurred in their loss (112-110) at the Suns.

In their defeat (113-97) Mar. 3 at the Nuggets on ESPN, they lost another key member of their front court Brandon Clarke (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 65.6 FG%) for the rest of this season with a torn left Achilles.

That would be coupled with the loss of All-Star lead guard Ja Morant (26.2 ppg, 8.1 apg-5^th NBA, 5.9 rpg, 46.6 FG%) to an eight-game league suspension for conduct detrimental to the NBA because he posted on his live social media him in a Denver, CO nightclub with what was presumed to be a gun.

The Nuggets held serve without Morant and have held up without Adams and Clarke because of the play Desmond Bane (21.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 47.9 FG%, 40.8 3-Pt.%), first-time All-Star Jaren Jackson, Jr. (18.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.0 bpg-Led NBA, 506 FG%, 35.5 3-Pt.%), Dillion Brooks (14.3 ppg), Morant’s understudy Tyus Jones (10.3 ppg, 5.2 apg, 37.1 3-Pt.%), Xavier Tillman (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 61.4 FG%), Santi Aldama (9.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 47.0 FG%, 35.3 3-Pt.%), rookie David Roddy (6.7 ppg), John Konchar, and Ziaire Williams.

The Lakers held their own against the Grizzlies during the regular season taking two of the three meetings and each meeting had some serious spice in it.

The Grizzlies win at the Lakers back in January 2022, that game was remembered for the minor altercation between Bane and James that went viral where Bane scored and drew the foul on James and two jawed at each other after James pushed Bane.

In the Lakers win (122-121) in the first meeting of 2022-23 against the Grizzlies in L.A., the controversial moment of that contest was when NFL Hall of Famer tight end and co-host of Fox Sports 1’s “Skip and Shannon” Shannon Sharpe got into a heated verbal match with Brooks, Morant and Morant’s father, Tee.

That game was won thanks to Schroder completing a three-point play with 07.6 seconds left following a steal that ended the Grizzlies’ 11-game winning streak. The Lakers outscored the Grizzlies 41-32 in the fourth quarter as they overcame an early 13-point deficit.

The Grizzlies got their revenge 121-109 over the Lakers back at FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN Feb. 28 on TNT outscoring the Lakes 47-35 in the third quarter to win that contest.

Morant had a triple-double scoring 28 of his 39 points in the third quarter, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds. Tillman also had a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, while Bane had 16 points with five rebounds, and four steals. Jackson, Jr. also scored 16 with seven rebounds and four block shots.

In the rubber match, the Lakers were victorious 112-103 Mar. 7 on TNT using a 17-4 to pull away.

Davis led the way with 30 points and 20 rebounds on 11/17 shooting. Schroder, Hachimura, and Reaves each scored 17. Brown, Jr. scored 13.

The Lakers come into this series with the depth advantage because the Grizzlies do not have as mentioned Adams and Clarke.

They do have Brooks and for all his so-called antics, he brings a tenacity and intensity to the court that many teams would love to have. He is also not afraid to check some of the best in the NBA like James, who he limited to 23 points on 8/21 shooting in the first meeting.

“I wouldn’t mind playing LeBron in a seven-game series. The legacy’s there. First time back in the Playoffs. Knock him out right away in the First Round. But it’ll test us good, you know?” Brooks said about facing the Lakers.

“They got good pieces. Good players and I think, it’ll be a good First Round matchup for us.”

The other key is who will guard Morant of the Grizzlies and who will guard Davis of the Lakers.

Without Adams or Clarke, checking Davis will be Jackson, Jr., and Tillman, whose averaged 9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 29 starts in the regular season.

For Jackson, who is foul prone and averaged fouls in the three games against the Lakers, must remain on the floor and provide balance on both ends for the Grizzlies.

“Just defensively, you’ve got to be locked in at all times,” Tillman about guarding Davis to the media on Friday. “He’s one of those guys who takes advantage if you’re sleeping on the offensive glass or getting post-ups or easy lobs.”

Morant will be seeing a lot of Russell, Schroder and at times Vanderbilt and even James, possibly if the game is close.

One other factor is the Grizzlies ability to score in transition and second chance opportunities.

In the Grizzlies lone win over the Lakers, they had 28 fastbreak points. In the two losses, a total of 17 fastbreak points.

The Lakers have the advantage of experience. To put that into context, LeBron James the all-time leading scorer in NBA Playoff history (7,631) has more than triple the 2,243 career postseason points of the Grizzlies roster.

But the Grizzlies are a young and hungry bunch that is looking to advance this postseason after falling two games short in the West Semis to the eventual NBA champion Warriors in six games last season.

Prediction: Grizzlies in seven games.

(6) Golden State Warriors versus (3) Sacramento Kings
                (44-38)                                            (48-34)

Regular season series: Warriors won 3-1.

Playoff History: First Ever Postseason Meeting.

The other First Round series consisting of two squads from the Pacific Division is the first postseason meeting of the Northern California rivals up Interstate 80 between the reigning NBA champions from San Francisco and the boys from California’s capital, that are back in the postseason after a 16-year absence.

After a subpar season that saw them compile the worst road record by a defending NBA champion in NBA history, the five-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors begin their quest to for their seconds straight title and fifth in the last nine seasons.

Head Coach Steve Kerr’s team come into the 2023 Playoffs healthy with their “Core Three” of their championship seasons of two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry (29.4 ppg, 6.3 apg, 6.1 rpg, 49.3 FG%, 42.7 3-Pt.%), Klay Thompson (21.9 ppg, 43.6 FG%, 41.2 3-Pt.%), and Draymond Green (8.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 6.8 apg, 52,7 FG%).

As important as the health and production of Curry, Thompson, and Green are to the Warriors title run this spring, having Andrew Wiggins (17.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 47.3 FG%, 39.6 3-Pt.%) from a 25-game absence to close the season due to a personal family matter is huge.

“Andrew looks great. Feeling good and ready to go,” Coach Kerr said of Wiggins status for start of 2023 Playoffs on Wednesday.

While Curry won Finals MVP when they took down the Celtics, the Warriors do not have their fifth Larry O’Brien without the scoring, rebounding and defense of Wiggins.

Coming into this season, three players along with Wiggins that were going to be headlined in their quest for another title were Jordan Poole (20.4 ppg, 4.5 apg), Jonathan Kuminga (9.9 ppg, 52.5 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt.%), and Moses Moody.

Poole has had his moments. Kuminga has come on late in the regular season, and Moody has yet to figure it out. On top of that, former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman just did not pan out and was dealt at the trade deadline to the Pistons.

In return for Wiseman in a three-team deal, the Warriors acquired back from the Portland Trail Blazers Gary Payton II, who played a big role at the defensive end in the Warriors title run last spring.

Two players that have been big time for the Warriors this past regular season have been Donte DiVincenzo (9.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 43.5 FG%, 39.7 3-Pt.%), and Kevon Looney (7.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 63.0 FG%).

The Warriors previous postseason moto prior to their latest one was “Gold Blooded” was “Strength In Numbers.” The Warriors will need that mantra this postseason against a team that took the NBA by storm this regular season.

When this season began, nobody had the Sacramento Kings making the Playoffs, let alone being a top three Seed in the stacked Western Conference.

They not only made the Playoffs for the first time since 2006, but they also won their first Pacific Division title since 2002-03.

The Kings not only ended the NBA’s longest all-time postseason drought, but they also ended the longest postseason drought in the four major North American sports (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB).

This achievement did not happen overnight. It was something that was six seasons in the making.

It started with the drafting of now first time All-Star De’Aaron Fox (25.0 ppg, 6.1 apg, 51.2 FG%) No. 5 overall out of University of Kentucky in 2017. The acquisition of Harrison Barnes (15.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 47.3 FG%, 37.4 3-Pt.%) from the Mavericks in 2019, who was a member of the Warriors first of four titles in the last eight seasons in 2015. In 2021 they drafted his understudy in defensive stalworth Davion Mitchell.   

In the last one-plus seasons, the Kings acquired now three-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis (19.1 ppg, 12.3 rpg-Led NBA, 7.3 apg, 61.5 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%) at the 2022 NBA trade deadline, who led the NBA with a career-best and league-leading 65 double-doubles and was second in the league with 14 triple-doubles.

Sabonis joined the late Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin and Nuggets Nikola Jokic as the only three players in NBA history with at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, and 500 assists in a season in NBA history.  

In this past June’s draft selected No. 4 overall Keegan Murray (12.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 45.3 FG%, 41.1 3-Pt.%), who set a new NBA single-season record for a rookie with 206 made threes, surpassing what Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell mark of 187 made triples as a rookie in 2017-18 with Jazz.

Other key additions made over the last two seasons either in free agency or via trade were Kevin Huerter (15.2 ppg, 48.5 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%), Malik Monk (13.5 ppg, 3.9 apg, 44.8 FG%, 35.9 3-Pt.%), Trey Lyles (7.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 45.8 FG%, 36.3 3-Pt.%), Terence Davis (6.7 ppg, 36.6 3-Pt.%), Kessler Edwards, and Alex Len.

But the most important addition to the Kings that has them back in the Playoffs this season was bringing experience head coach Mike Brown, who spent the past six seasons as the Warriors Associate Head Coach the past six seasons.

He has brought accountability, leadership, and attention to detail on both ends of the court, which has resulted in the Kings going a West-leading 25-16 on the road (23-18 at home).

The Kings 48 wins were powered by an offense that led the NBA in scoring at 120.7 points on 49.4 percent from the field (No. 2 NBA), 36.9 percent from three (No. 8 NBA), and 27.3 assists (No. 3 NBA).

One stat that will be front and center in this series is the three-point shot. There were 25 players this season that made 200 or more made threes. Five of those 25 players are in this series with Curry, Thompson, and Poole for the Warriors and Huerter and Murray for the Kings.

Thompson became just the third player in NBA history to make 300 triples in a season at 301, joining his teammate Curry and 76ers James Harden. 

The Warriors ranked first in three-pointers attempted (32.6) and No. 2 in three-point accuracy (38.5%). The Kings finished No. 6 in three-pointers attempted and No. 8 in three-point percentage (36.9%).

This series also features legendary squad in the Warriors who has championships to their name and an established legend in Curry against a team on the rise led and a headliner of the young group in Fox.

“I still feel all those emotions and I’m glad that I do because it reminds you of how much fun, you know, this type of basketball is,” Curry told ESPN’s Malika Andrews about how he feels about this time of the season. “I feel all those emotions and it’s the ninth time we’ve been in the Playoffs. I feel like it’s just like the first.”

For Fox this is an opportunity to show the country how good he and Kings have been this season, especially at clutch time.

Fox led the NBA in total points (194) in clutch time this season. The Kings went 25-19 in clutch time.

“I just want to show what I can do and what we can do on the court,” Fox said about going against the Warriors.

This is also a chance for the country to see Sabonis have his long-awaited breakout postseason. In 13 career postseason games, with the last four coming in 2019 with the Indiana Pacers, he managed to register only 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

If the son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis plays to the All-NBA level he did during the regular season, the Kings will have a legit chance in this series.

The other factor in this series will be the fans in each home arena.

While the Warriors had a poor road record as mentioned earlier but had a stellar home record at 33-8 at Chase Center.

When the Kings were one of the best teams in the NBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the crowds at then Arco Arena with the cow bells and excitement the fans brought, especially their epic Playoff battles against the Lakers. It was so loud that you needed to wear ear plugs to protect your ears.

That is surely going to be what takes place and then some at Golden 1 Center to start this series for a Kings fanbase that has been thirsty for Playoff hoops again.

Perhaps the more visible undertone for this series is the fact that this could possibly be the conclusion of the Warriors title run.

They have been at this for nearly a decade under Coach Kerr and have been very successful with now seven postseason appearances in nine seasons, winning five titles.

Curry said to Andrews when asked when you know if this could be end of this era of him, Green, Thompson, and Coach Kerr that they only feel that way when they “get asked about it.”

“It doesn't feel like any different of a moment leading into the Playoffs than it has before,” Curry added. “The piece as a leader that I try to come through is like what’s happening right now. Basketball will determine, you know, how long we can keep this thing together.”

Both the Warriors and Kings have one thing in common. They both have had long postseason droughts.

The Kings qualified for the postseason just twice from 1986-1998, losing in the First Round in that 13-year span, where they were led by perennial and All-Star for the last seven of that span (1991-98). They made the postseason for eight straight season (1998-2006) and then missed the postseason for next 16 late springs before getting back this spring.

The Warriors prior this run of success the last nine seasons, reached the Playoffs just once in an 18-year span, missing the Playoffs from 1999-2006.

Both are meeting the postseason for the first time in what will be an entertaining, high-octane offensive series. The Warriors have just the experience and the pride to bring their best in their run to their five title in nine years.

Prediction: Warriors in seven games.  

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 4/3/2023 3 p.m. “NBA Today” ESPN, presented by American Express With Malika Andrews, Chiney Ogwumike, Ramona Shelburne, Kendrick Perkins; 4/14/2023 story in Newsday story, “Guarded Optimism,” By Steve Popper; 4/13/2023 5:30 p.m. ESPN’s “Pardon The Interruption” With Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon; 4/14/2023 5 a.m. NBATV’s “Gametime” With Matt Winer, Lloyd Pierce, Sam Mitchell; www.nba.com’s 2023 NBA Playoff First Round Series Previews: 4/10/2023 “Series Preview: Star-Studded Showdown Could Hinge Paul George’s Absence,” By Shaun Powell:  4/10/2023 Series Preview: Joel Embiid leads Sixers Against Nets In First Round,” By John Schuhmann; 4/10/2023 “Series Preview: Cavs-Knicks Series Provides Referendum On Summer Moves,” By Steve Aschburner; 4/10/2023 “Series Preview: Young, Upstart Kings Aim To Oust Defending Champion Warriors,” By Steve Aschburner; 4/12/2023 “Series Preview: Grizzlies, Lakers Renew Budding Rivalry; 4/15/2023 “Series Preview: Heat Face Ultimate Challenge In Giannis, Top-Seeded Bucks,” By Shaun Powell; 4/15/2023 Series Preview: Nikola Jokic-Rudy Gobert Matchup Takes Center State,” By Michael C. Wright; 4/16/2023 12 p.m. “NBA Countdown,” ESPN, presented by Chime With Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Jalen Rose, Adrian Wojnarowski; www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/pts_per_g_career_p.html; and team/player stats and clutch stats www.nba.com.