Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs officially wrapped up today in record-breaking fashion.
Steph Curry became the first player ever to score 50+ Points in a Game 7 in the playoffs, carrying the Warriors to a big win in Sacramento.
Golden State may not have got there today without the monster performance on the glass from Kevon Looney, recording another 20+ rebound game, destroying Sabonis and the Kings on the boards.
Sacramento’s fairy tale season unfortunately came to an end today, but the signs are extremely promising for this young team, with Fox and Sabonis looking to cement the "Beam Team in the playoffs going forward!
In other Round 1 showings, Boston were challenged by the Hawks finishing 4-2, Philly dismantled Brooklyn to win 4-0, New York destroyed the Cavs 4-1, but the one huge shocker was the result between Miami and Milwaukee.
Miami shocked the Bucks in Game 1 on the back of Giannis getting hurt. Giannis remained out Game 2 but the Bucks rolled, and that’s how most thought the rest of the series was going to play out. Jimmy Butler had other ideas, as he produced one of the greatest Round 1 performances in the playoffs, particularly in Games 4 and 5, rolling the Bucks 4-1 and kicking out the competition favourites!
Out West, Denver handled Minnesota 4-1, Phoenix held off a feisty Clippers line up 4-1 (the result flattering Phoenix who weren’t actually that good), whilst the Lakers bullied Memphis to win Game 6 in dominant fashion to go through 4-2.
The Lakers/Grizzlies series had the most spice out of all contests (outside of the Sac/GSW series). Dillon Brooks poked the bear in Game 2, which may have been the dumbest thing we’ve seen in the playoffs. Memphis are a young team who are only going to get better, but until they actually prove something in the playoffs, they need to let their game do the talking!
Which now takes us to Round 2, with two series currently underway yesterday and in the early hours of the morning.
Denver produced an incredible Game 1 performance on the back of some brilliance from Jamal Murray, finishing with 35pts, 5rebs and 9asts.
They’ll need a similar performance from Murray, as well as another big game from Jokic to get this win in Game 2, as they can’t rely on another offensive explosion from Aaron Gordon like he had in Game 1 (23pts on 9-13 and 3-4 from 3).
It’s sure to be an incredible series, and every chance this goes the length.
In the end, there’s going to be too much Nikola Jokic for the Suns to handle, as well as their depth being an issue, with the likes of Booker and Durant having to put up 30+ points a game for them to knock off the Nuggets.
Prediction: Denver 4-2.
New York and Miami got underway this morning, with the 8th seeded Heat picking up a big road win, but it may have come at a cost.
Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle in the last quarter and was clearly hurting in the finishing stages of the game. Given it’s Jimmy Butler, it’s hard to see him sitting out any part of this series, but it wouldn’t be the worst play to limit him in Game 2 as they’ve already picked up a crucial road win.
Speaking of injured stars, the Knicks will need to get Julius Randle back on the court for Game 2 and beyond in this series if they are to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. New York should be able to get one back at home in Game 2, but will need one of the next two in Miami if they want to get the Heat back on their heels, as this team is playing with a lot of confidence. Gabe Vincent was huge for the Heat in Game 1 once again, as well as veteran Kyle Lowry, and they’ll need to be if they’re to handle stud Knicks PG Jalen Brunson.
Prediction: Knicks 4-3.
Boston and Philly get this going tomorrow, and the Sixers may be without their best player to start the series. Joel Embiid is still hampered with a knee injury, and for a team who always battles to beat Boston, this isn’t the start to the series they need. Philly have had a lot of rest on the back of a 4-0 series defeat to the Nets, and had huge performances from the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris.
The Maxey-Brown match up will go a long way to deciding the series and Game 1 especially if Embiid can’t go in this one.
Boston have far too much going for them now, and will have home court the rest of the way now the Bucks are gone, this is their championship to lose!
They’re the best team with one of the deepest rosters in the league, and as long as Tatum and Brown are fine sharing the load, it’s hard to see this team getting beat.
Prediction: Celtics 4-1.
Finally, Golden State go toe to toe with their Californian rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NBA couldn’t dream of a better match up, with LeBron facing off against Steph Curry for the chance to appear in the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State holds home court as a 6 seed, one in which would never usually happen as a seed that far down the pecking order, which speaks volumes to how good the 7th seeded Lakers were in the 1st round.
LeBron was at his dominant best in the Memphis series, especially in an OT win in Game 4 of the series. Even though the series went to 6 games, it just felt like that game cemented the series for the Purple and Gold. Anthony Davis will need to be a big factor in this series against the Warriors, and his match up on the glass with Kevon Looney will go a long way in deciding how things end up.
Steph Curry will also need his running buddy Klay to put up close enough to 25 a game to compete with LA, as you’d think the Lakers will do everything possible to make sure it’s someone other than Steph beating them.
This is a tough one to call, but it’s the reigning champs who go through here in another lengthy series!
Prediction: Warriors 4-3.
Enjoy Round 2!
Bauky
Steph Curry became the first player ever to score 50+ Points in a Game 7 in the playoffs, carrying the Warriors to a big win in Sacramento.
Golden State may not have got there today without the monster performance on the glass from Kevon Looney, recording another 20+ rebound game, destroying Sabonis and the Kings on the boards.
Sacramento’s fairy tale season unfortunately came to an end today, but the signs are extremely promising for this young team, with Fox and Sabonis looking to cement the "Beam Team in the playoffs going forward!
In other Round 1 showings, Boston were challenged by the Hawks finishing 4-2, Philly dismantled Brooklyn to win 4-0, New York destroyed the Cavs 4-1, but the one huge shocker was the result between Miami and Milwaukee.
Miami shocked the Bucks in Game 1 on the back of Giannis getting hurt. Giannis remained out Game 2 but the Bucks rolled, and that’s how most thought the rest of the series was going to play out. Jimmy Butler had other ideas, as he produced one of the greatest Round 1 performances in the playoffs, particularly in Games 4 and 5, rolling the Bucks 4-1 and kicking out the competition favourites!
Out West, Denver handled Minnesota 4-1, Phoenix held off a feisty Clippers line up 4-1 (the result flattering Phoenix who weren’t actually that good), whilst the Lakers bullied Memphis to win Game 6 in dominant fashion to go through 4-2.
The Lakers/Grizzlies series had the most spice out of all contests (outside of the Sac/GSW series). Dillon Brooks poked the bear in Game 2, which may have been the dumbest thing we’ve seen in the playoffs. Memphis are a young team who are only going to get better, but until they actually prove something in the playoffs, they need to let their game do the talking!
Which now takes us to Round 2, with two series currently underway yesterday and in the early hours of the morning.
Denver produced an incredible Game 1 performance on the back of some brilliance from Jamal Murray, finishing with 35pts, 5rebs and 9asts.
They’ll need a similar performance from Murray, as well as another big game from Jokic to get this win in Game 2, as they can’t rely on another offensive explosion from Aaron Gordon like he had in Game 1 (23pts on 9-13 and 3-4 from 3).
It’s sure to be an incredible series, and every chance this goes the length.
In the end, there’s going to be too much Nikola Jokic for the Suns to handle, as well as their depth being an issue, with the likes of Booker and Durant having to put up 30+ points a game for them to knock off the Nuggets.
Prediction: Denver 4-2.
New York and Miami got underway this morning, with the 8th seeded Heat picking up a big road win, but it may have come at a cost.
Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle in the last quarter and was clearly hurting in the finishing stages of the game. Given it’s Jimmy Butler, it’s hard to see him sitting out any part of this series, but it wouldn’t be the worst play to limit him in Game 2 as they’ve already picked up a crucial road win.
Speaking of injured stars, the Knicks will need to get Julius Randle back on the court for Game 2 and beyond in this series if they are to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. New York should be able to get one back at home in Game 2, but will need one of the next two in Miami if they want to get the Heat back on their heels, as this team is playing with a lot of confidence. Gabe Vincent was huge for the Heat in Game 1 once again, as well as veteran Kyle Lowry, and they’ll need to be if they’re to handle stud Knicks PG Jalen Brunson.
Prediction: Knicks 4-3.
Boston and Philly get this going tomorrow, and the Sixers may be without their best player to start the series. Joel Embiid is still hampered with a knee injury, and for a team who always battles to beat Boston, this isn’t the start to the series they need. Philly have had a lot of rest on the back of a 4-0 series defeat to the Nets, and had huge performances from the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris.
The Maxey-Brown match up will go a long way to deciding the series and Game 1 especially if Embiid can’t go in this one.
Boston have far too much going for them now, and will have home court the rest of the way now the Bucks are gone, this is their championship to lose!
They’re the best team with one of the deepest rosters in the league, and as long as Tatum and Brown are fine sharing the load, it’s hard to see this team getting beat.
Prediction: Celtics 4-1.
Finally, Golden State go toe to toe with their Californian rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NBA couldn’t dream of a better match up, with LeBron facing off against Steph Curry for the chance to appear in the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State holds home court as a 6 seed, one in which would never usually happen as a seed that far down the pecking order, which speaks volumes to how good the 7th seeded Lakers were in the 1st round.
LeBron was at his dominant best in the Memphis series, especially in an OT win in Game 4 of the series. Even though the series went to 6 games, it just felt like that game cemented the series for the Purple and Gold. Anthony Davis will need to be a big factor in this series against the Warriors, and his match up on the glass with Kevon Looney will go a long way in deciding how things end up.
Steph Curry will also need his running buddy Klay to put up close enough to 25 a game to compete with LA, as you’d think the Lakers will do everything possible to make sure it’s someone other than Steph beating them.
This is a tough one to call, but it’s the reigning champs who go through here in another lengthy series!
Prediction: Warriors 4-3.
Enjoy Round 2!
Bauky