There will be no back to back Champions once again this season!
The Minnesota Timberwolves knocked out the defending Champs in Denver yesterday 98-90 in a fantastic 7 game series!
Minnesota overcame the largest half time deficit in NBA Game 7 history (down 15 at half time) to complete a huge series win and punch their ticket to the Conference Finals.
Minnesota will host the Dallas Mavericks in the West, whilst Boston have also been twiddling their thumbs, hosting the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Boston (1) v Indiana (6):
Boston finished off the Cavs in 5 games in their 2nd round match up, where they watched the Knicks and Pacers go toe to toe in a highly entertaining 7 game series of their own.
Indiana shot an absurd 76% from the field in the 1st half at the Garden in Game 7, blowing away a gallant NY Knicks 130-109.
Indiana finished the game shooting a very poor (jokes) 67% from the field, with the Knicks losing star point guard Jalen Brunson to a fractured hand in the 3rd.
It summed up the Knicks season having one final injury to their Superstar point guard, someone who well and truly lit the NBA up these playoffs. OG Anunoby came back in to play a few minutes from his hamstring injury, Josh Hart also played through a heavy abdomen strain. A devastating end to the Knicks season, but an incredibly promising future if this team can stay healthy (Use your bench Tibs!!)
As we know, Boston love to play with their food, so will no doubt drop a game to the Pacers at the very least. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White will give Tyrese Haliburton plenty of problems, so we could see a lot more of TJ McConnell on the ball in this series.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown should have their way in what is sure to be a high scoring series, with the Celtics punching their ticket to the NBA Finals.
Prediction: Boston 4-2
Minnesota (3) v Dallas (5):
If you had this at the start of the season as your Western Conference Finals then you are very smart!
Dallas join Minnesota in the Conference Finals after knocking off the 1 seed OKC Thunder in 6 games. Game 6 was an absolute thriller, with the Mavs winning 117-116 with a late foul on a 3 by PJ Washington.
Luka and Kyrie were well contained by the Thunder, but had great contributions from the likes of Washington, Jones Jr and Lively II off the bench. Aussie hoops fans will likely be cheering on the Mavs, with our star duo Josh Green and Dante Exum a chance to bring a championship ring to Paris!
The series may well and truly come down to how Jaden McDaniels can maintain Luka Doncic, and if Kyrie Irving can carry the load against the likes of Ant-Man and Mike Conley.
Dallas are playing in their 2nd conference final in the last 3 years, with Minnesota looking to hoist their first ever NBA Championship. It is sure to be a joy to watch this series, and has 7 games written all over it.
Prediction: Dallas 4-3 with a Luka game winner!
Sit back and enjoy what is sure to be a very fun conference finals series.
Bauky