Seven of the 16 teams have already qualified for the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, as the Celtics, Pacers, Knicks, Thunder, Timberwolves, and Nuggets are already in, whereas the Mavericks recently joined the fray after they closed out the Clippers on Friday night.
So, now we have only one first-round series left to finish, as there’ll be a Game 7 between the Cavaliers and the Magic after the latter won Game 6 on their home floor.
Elsewhere, it’s not all sunny in California, as the Lakers relieved Darvin Ham and the rest of his coaching staff of their duties, and now they’re looking to fill their head coaching vacancy.
Just in case you missed out on the latest NBA 2024 updates, fret not, as SBOTOP has you covered.
Magic set up Game 7 after surviving Mitchell’s onslaught
The Magic live to fight another day, as they defeated the Cavaliers at home with a score of 103-96. Four players scored in double digits for Orlando in Game 6, with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner leading the way with 53 points combined.
Before the start of the NBA playoffs, many thought that the Cavaliers would roll over the Magic (including the NBA 2024 odds), given the latter’s collective inexperience in the postseason. However, fast forward to today, and they’re on the brink of winning their first playoff series in 14 years.
Paolo Banchero has embraced the role of being the team’s alpha, with robust averages of 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 48.5 percent shooting from the field, and he has been backed by Franz Wagner, who is averaging 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
In Game 6, Banchero scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to help the team overcome Donovan Mitchell’s 50 points and hold off the Cavaliers.
Mitchell was nothing short of spectacular for Cleveland in this game, as he scored all of his team’s 18 points in the final period. Backcourt partner Darius Garland added 21 points, but the Cavaliers’ woeful three-point shooting (7-of-28) was too much for them to overcome.
Ahead of Game 7, the Cavaliers are hoping to have Jarrett Allen, their starting center, back to improve their rebounding and rim protection. Allen has missed Games 5 and 6 due to a rib injury.
Doncic and Irving shining for the Mavericks
After missing the playoffs altogether last season in their first few months together, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have carried the Mavericks back to the second round after they beat the Clippers 114-101 in Game 6.
Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including five three-pointers, while Luka Doncic finished with 28 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds, although he had five turnovers and only went 9-of-26 from the field.
After a relatively close first half, the Mavericks outscored the Clippers 35-20 in the third period, and they eventually pulled away in the final frame.
Dallas’ lead ballooned to 24 points when Kyrie Irving hit a spectacular four-point play. The Clippers tried to mount a late rally when they had an 11-2 run, but to no avail.
Paul George had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden recorded 16 points and 13 assists. The Clippers were clearly missing Kawhi Leonard, who was out yet again due to a knee injury.
A big offseason awaits the Clippers since Paul George and James Harden are going to hit free agency in July, while Ty Lue has been linked with the Lakers’ head coaching job.
Lakers starting to clean house with Ham as first casualty
The Clippers are planning to give Ty Lue a fresh extension because they don’t want him to go to the Lakers, who just sacked Darvin Ham and his staff.
Darvin Ham only lasted two seasons in Los Angeles, which included a trip to the Western Conference Finals last season and a first-round exit this year, both at the hands of the Nuggets.
In his first stint as an NBA head coach, Darvin Ham went 90-74 in LA, and he was also the first coach to win the league’s in-season tournament.
However, expectations are always high for the Lakers, especially because they have stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are aiming to win their second championship together.
Lue is not the only one linked with the Lakers vacancy, as JJ Redick is also reportedly in the mix. The former Magic sharpshooter has a close relationship with LeBron James and was also interviewed recently for the Hornets coaching job.
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