The NBA playoffs have officially started, and all the title hopefuls have already dipped their toes in some postseason action. The first round of games saw some close calls and dominating performances to boot. But while the NBA postseason atmosphere remains the same up until the Larry O’Brien trophy is lifted, the narrative of the entire series could change after every game.
So far, all the home teams have struck first blood, but the visiting outfits are keen on levelling before the series switches home court advantage.
Read on below as SBOTOP previews some of the upcoming momentum-shifting Game 2’s.
Phoenix Suns @ Minnesota Timberwolves
The first game between the Suns and the Timberwolves was absolute cinema, and Anthony Edwards was the leading actor. Ant-Man started his 2024 postseason campaign on a high note by scoring a game-high 33 points and leading his team past the top-heavy Phoenix Suns.
Edwards took the over in the third quarter, sinking almost every shot from downtown while guarding Kevin Durant on the other end of the court.
While the Suns were up at the end of the first quarter, they quickly found themselves down by double digits at the half. This was the first true test of the overhyped big three of Durant, Beal, and Booker, but their postseason debut turned out to be just the Durant show.
KD was the only bright spot for the Suns in their 25-point Game 1 loss, as both Booker and Beal were each held below 20 points. But it’s safe to expect that the Suns big three will figure things out sooner or later, as long as they stay healthy.
Game 1 ended with a 120-95 score line, and the fact that the Timberwolves won by 25 points despite KAT only playing 27 minutes is scary, to say the least.
Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks
Given the fact that Joel Embiid had only returned to action just a few games before the playoffs, the Sixers were the NBA 2024 odds underdogs coming into their series against the Knicks.
True enough, the Knicks won their first game at MSG, but I admittedly didn’t think it would be that close. To be honest, the Sixers were competitive for most of the match, even outscoring the Knicks 36 to 21 in the third.
Tyrese Maxey did the heavy lifting for the Sixers by scoring the game-high 33 points, while Embiid contributed 29 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes.
The Sixers are salivating for an away win, as they can’t afford to play the whole seven games due to Embiid’s knee. In fact, the Philly big man is already listed as questionable for game 2 after an injury scare on the same knee in the second quarter.
Which is why the Sixers are itching to level the series 1-1 before they go back to Philadelphia, but it’s easier said than done, especially with how locked in the Knicks have been.
The Knicks’ depth was on full display during their scrappy Game 1 win. Their talisman, Jalen Brunson, was still shaking off the postseason jitters and shot 8-26 from the field, but his supporting cast, specifically Josh Hart and Miles McBride, took matters into their own hands and carried the Knicks to the series lead.
Expect a bounce-back game from Brunson next time around.
Dallas Mavericks @ LA Clippers
No Kawhi, no problem. The Clippers utilised their depth to take the lead against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena. Ivica Zubac was the surprise package in Game 1, putting up 20 and 15, while Paul George and James Harden both contributed All-Star numbers to round the Mavs up. Russell Westbrook also had a solid night off the bench, with 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
All of this without their No. 1 option, Kawhi Leonard, who is still tending a right knee injury. More NBA 2024 updates on that soon.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are in dire need of more firepower. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving need help ASAP. The Dallas backcourt combined for 64 of the Mavs’ total 94 points, meaning two-thirds of the entire Dallas points were from Luka and Kyrie. Someone else has to step up.
PJ Washington was the third-best scorer for the Mavs in Game 1 with 11 points in 37 minutes, while the rest of the Dallas players had chump change as contributions.
Luka Magic and Uncle Drew may carry the Mavs on some occasions, but it’s hard to imagine that being sustainable in a seven-game series.
Look out for a revenge game from the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr., Daniel Gafford, and Dante Exum.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC finished the regular season as the kings of the Western Conference, entering the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. But among Game 1 wins across the league, it was the Thunder’s that was the most unconvincing.
The Thunder barely got past the eighth-seeded Pelicans, who were without their anchor, Zion Williamson.
SGA and the rest of the Thunder slithered their way to a slim 94-92 victory against the Pels. OKC are still a young team, and it was evident that they’re still taking the playoff atmosphere in. Despite this, they still got the win. But expect the Thunder to slowly but surely get more and more comfortable in the postseason as the series progresses.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
