NUGGETS 3, TIMBERWOLVES 3
If I had written this post yesterday like I was supposed to, before Game 6, I really didn't have anything good to say about how the T'wolves were looking. Jokic went straight at Gobert, who's supposed to be like the best defensive C in the NBA, and soundly prevailed. So I was about to be on some 'better luck next year' type shit.
But then, they turned and totally destroyed the Nuggets in Game 6. I do believe that Minnesota is the better team, even if Denver has actual experience on their side. But considering how this series has played out over the past week, I'm not overly confident that they're going to take Game 7, in Denver.
If they do, then I think it's safe to say that their time - and the era of Anthony Edwards - has officially arrived. Whoever wins the West will likely be the champion, in part because their rival is coming from a less-challenging, injury-ridden conference. And I do believe that whoever wins this series will take the West, but that no longer feels as much as a given as when Round 2 first began.
MAVERICKS 3, THUNDER 2
This has been another exciting Western Conference series in which the two teams appear for the most part to be evenly matched. I think it's safe to say that Dallas is the Cinderella of the West. Of course the Mavs are extremely talented and, in terms of all-star appearances, have the best backcourt in the league. But this team has been underachieving and poorly constructed for so long that now they do seem like a legitimate threat, it's sorta hard to believe.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the way either of teams are playing. If I do see one potential flaw in OKC's makeup, it's lack of depth in the middle. And speaking of Holmgren, I think it's safe to say that in most NBA seasons, he would've been ROY. Dude it out there, deep into the playoffs, manning the middle like a vet.
KNICKS 3, PACERS 2
I read that, after Game 5, Rick Carlisle was pissed off. And even before reading this article, I already had a good idea why he would be. There's really no excusable reason why a team in the 2nd Round of the Playoffs should lose to an opponent with half of their rotation players too injured to play.
Well actually, there is a reason - Jalen Brunson. And I'm about to say two things about Jalen I thought I never would. #1 - He may be the best scoring PG in the NBA, and #2 - he's the greatest Knick, in terms of actual performance, since Patrick Ewing.
Of course the Pacers still have a chance, but you know what I'm saying? It's the same thing with Round 1, like it's hard to respect a team who struggles to capitalize on their opponents' injuries. And if they do flunk out like that, without any clear signs of the other team being favored by the NBA, then who's really to blame besides Carlisle himself?
CELTICS 4, CAVALIERS 1
There's a celebratory spirit in Boston, but there's reasons for the Cavs to rejoice also, if not more.
The Celtics making it past these teams with their best player injured is not properly preparing for a potential Western opponent. It was like Kobe said during one of those years he was still playing, about why he was confident in his team's Finals' chances, because they had been "battle tested". In other words, they endured challenging playoff series against exceptional teams on their way there.
Meanwhile, the Celtics beat the Heat without Jimmy Butler, 4 to 1. Then they bested the Cavs, in large part without Mitchell, 4 to 1. If the Knicks make it to the Conference Finals, that's another team with major injuries that Boston will face. And let's not forget that Kristaps "the Knee Brace" Porzingis remains out like indefinitely. But from a preparation perspective, maybe the Celtics should be be rooting for the Pacers, since they're at least near full strength and may serve as better practice, so to speak, for the Finals.
As for the Cavs, I think at least one question has been answered, which is it being time to move on from Jarrett Allen and start Mobley at C. I've noticed that, once it became established that he's holding down the middle, Evan started busting out impressive post-up moves here and there. And the offense seems to be more fluid without Jarrett, which isn't a bad thing for him personally, as there's other teams out there, even the Magic, that could probably utilize him better.
What Cleveland should be focused on, taking for granted that Donovan will stick around (I hope he doesn't dumb out and go to the Lakers), is acquiring a stretch 4 to play alongside Mobley or a 3&D. It has to be someone who can not only shoot but play defense, block shots and rebound. And there aren't many of those floating around these days, meaning they may have to look to the draft.
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