PACERS 3, BUCKS 2
The Pacers should've really made more of an effort to close out the series in Game 5, even if it was held in Milwaukee. Now, if Indiana does win the series (which they likely will), still, you know what I'm saying? Like why are they having so much trouble with a team devoid of its two biggest stars? Obviously, their time isn't now, and they're not striking fear in the heart of their next potential opponent.
That said, the one member of their roster who really caught me by surprise has been Myles Turner. I already knew he was a legitimate bigman but never knew he had a viable three-point shot.
Imagine if last year, when he was expressing a desire to go the Lakers, LAL made more of an effort to acquire him? I would presume that a frontline of Turner + Lebron + AD would have stood a much better chance against the Nuggets than their current roster.
NUGGETS 4, LAKERS 1
The Lakers put up some fight here and there, but all things considered, I'm glad this series is over. It's sorta painful watching Lebron lose in the playoffs, so better he be defeated by knockout than a protracted, fruitless battle.
All I will say about the LAL for now is that if they are going to make changes to the roster, let it be a powermove and no more of this role player shit. Go after someone you don't think but know will move the needle, or in the very least make the squad appear more formidable.
On offense you can always rely on Lebron, but on defense, his game is faded and fading. So the braintrust needs to be a bit more intelligent heading into the future and go after at least one other perennial all-star, hopefully one that can also defend.
As for the Nuggets, I'm still anticipating that the departure of Bruce Brown is going to come back and haunt them, once they're up against a more formidable opponent. But during playoff time especially, they tend to stick to a very tight, 7-8 man rotation. So, maybe it won't.
KNICKS 3, SIXERS 2
The way Joel Embiid almost cost Philly Game 5 by swiping Jalen Brunson in the face is alarming. "The Injury Report" has always had maturity issues, and it doesn't particularly appear that he's going to wise up anytime soon.
But it's understandable why Embiid would be frustrated, because if the Sixers do flunk out of the playoffs, in the 1st Round especially, you know, they really need to start looking towards an alternate future. That's not to say that they should get rid of Joel. But he's another superstar, like Lebron, who really needs to start considering a pay cut for the overall good and progress of the team.
THUNDER 4, PELICANS 0
I intend to write an article about the Pelicans hopefully tomorrow, so I'm not going to delve deeply into their issues here. Rather, I'll use the opportunity to congratulate the Thunder. They secured the number one seed in a hotly-contested West and have now proven, to some extent at least, that wasn't a fluke. That said, it's kinda hard to imagine them having their way with NOP like this if Zion were around.
TIMBERWOLVES 4, SUNS 0
I'm now dubbing Anthony Edwards the second coming of Jordan. Their playing styles and ability to dominate games are very similar, just that their body types are different.
I think it's safe to say that at this point, Phoenix has been the most disappointing team in the playoffs. No one was really expecting anything from the Lakers or the Pelicans sans Williamson. But with the Suns' big 3 all healthy, you know, you'd at least think that they'd win a game or two.
But even though they swept Minnesota during the regular season, the Suns were unlucky to have to face what is in actuality a superior team during the 1st Round. I personally believe that, fair and square, the Timberwolves are going to take the West and likely even the championship. So, I guess there really isn't any shame in being swept by the eventual champions.
MAVERICKS 3, CLIPPERS 2
There goes Dallas, once again alley-ooping at will. The Mavericks have made serious strides this season in terms of - for the first time years - assembling a respectable frontline. However, their interior defense still leaves something to be desired. But LAC's inside D is even worse.
This is more or less by the Clippers' own design. They intentionally constructed a starting lineup consisting of a (quality) C, surrounded by wings. That type of makeup would imply that their plan is to rely more on speed and outgunning opponents than making defensive stands per se.
Also their best defender, Kawhi Leonard, is hurt, as usual. It's a damn shame that after four seasons in LAC, where he's missed an average of 25 games per season (not including the playoffs), their roster is still so dependent on his unreliable presence. The whole purpose of having four superstars with overlapping skills, in my opinion, is to the mitigate the absence if one or two are injured.
Also, I'll be honest and say that I didn't have much faith in Luka + Kyrie when the latter joined the Mavs last season. But now, they're looking like the best backcourt in the NBA, despite Doncic not having much of a defensive presence.
All of that said, I'm still not compelled to confidently predict that Dallas is going to take the series, even though the Clippers got their asses totally and completely bust, at home, in Game 5. I thought the Mavs had already delivered the knockout punch in Game 3, only to have LAC come roaring back.
But if the Clippers, with four future hall-of-famers, do go on to lose (again) in the 1st Round, maybe it is finally time to rethink this roster and for Leonard to gracefully retire. As is becoming more obvious during these playoffs, you can't have dudes on max salaries who are so injury prone that they have a reasonable chance of missing the postseason.
CELTICS 4, HEAT 1
Speaking of regularly injured stars, I knew it had to be only a matter of time before Porzingis goes down. He played 57 games during the regular season which, by his standards, is pretty good. But the reason Kristaps has not achieved superstar status is because his body just can't handle the rigors of a full NBA season.
It didn't matter though in Game 5, because the Heat, who are supposed to have one of the best braintrusts in the league, had totally proven their inability to creatively adjust to the Celtics, even with Kristaps out. Maybe, with no Jimmy Butler and up against the best team in the East, they just sorta gave up internally. Also, don't forget that Terry Rozier is hurt. It would have been classic if he had gotten a chance to faceoff against Boston, his former squad which undervalued him.
The x-factor on the Celtics is Derrick White. He's a plus defender, who also appears to be getting better, lethal even, on offense. But, if Boston does end up facing the Cavs especially in Round 2, I think they may eventually need Kristaps around.
CAVALIERS 3, MAGIC 2
The first thing I want to say is that Cavs' offense did look smoother with Jarrett Allen out, and Evan Mobley starting in his place. But still, they only beat the Magic, in Cleveland, by one point. This Orlando team is obviously better than I thought or in the very least more of a equal matchup with the Cavs than I presumed.
I'm on the verge of saying that maybe Darius Garland needs to step his game up. Remember that dude was an all-star just a couple of seasons ago, you know, when the game was held in Cleveland. Now is the prime opportunity for him to prove that wasn't a sympathy pick.
Meanwhile, Banchero is the only member of the Magic (as far as I can tell) to have ever been named an all-star. So, you know, the Cavs have to try to prove that they're straight-up the more talented team, with Allen also having made the All-Star Game in 2022, and Mitchell being a perennial all-star.
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