NEW YORK KNICKS (2) vs BOSTON CELTICS (1)
The Celtics drubbing of the Knicks in Game 3 was, imo, the biggest win of any series in the Playoffs thus far. Yes, Cleveland pulled off same thing in Indiana after falling into a 2-0, home-based hole. But the difference, this is in fact BOS vs. NYK, with the Celtics being considered the opponent the Knicks must overcome to reach that next level. Indiana beat NYK last postseason, not Boston, but still, everyone knows that beating the Celtics is the true mark. Meanwhile, NYK failed to do so in four attempts during 2024-25 Regular Season, including having their asses handed to them, at MSG, back in February.
It was that February embarrassment when all of the pundits were like 'damn, these Knicks are stacked, but they still aren't ready to topple the Celtics'. So it's like dudes really need to win. If they don't, there's going to be more questions than answers.
One thing I'd probably suggest, if it weren't this late in the season, is starting Miles McBride, most likely over Hart. McBride is sort of a one-trick pony who I wouldn't expect to be able to really defend any guard in Boston's rotation. But he plays hard and appears to be really proficient at scoring, i.e. making threes. So if given more of an opportunity, maybe he can counter some of the Celtics' shooters. And as for Hart, maybe his energy will be more beneficial, in this series, coming off the bench.
All things considered, I don't think it's sustainable for Boston to continue shooting like 50% from three for the rest of the series. But going back to the point I was trying to make earlier, it's like now they've reasserted their dominance over the Knicks, like some confidence, bully type shit, like 'you only won because I let you' type shit. It sucks, from a New York fan's perspective, that they couldn't take Tatum & co.'s heart when they had the chance.
The Knicks won those first two games on last second plays, and obviously that type of luck, if you will, isn't sustainable either, not against a champion. So the thing they need to worry about is not allowing themselves to fall into a big deficit early on, as has happened in all three games thus far I think.
DENVER NUGGETS (2) vs OKC THUNDER (1)
I'm sure I said even way back when this season began that if any team in the West was likely to give OKC serious issues in a series, it would the Nuggets. I don't know if Jokic + Gordon would classify as a twin towers, but they have the size to counterbalance OKC's bigs. Aaron Gordon has the bulk of a traditional PF yet the athleticism and shooting ability of a SF. I can't think of anyone else in the NBA who fits that description besides Lebron and maybe Tobias Harris. Besides those two or three, I can't even think of anyone else who's big like PFs from the 1990s, period. It definitely ain't these tall, lean "unicorn" types. When I hear the word "unicorn", I think of My Little Pony and shit like that.
By this point, I'm convinced that the mainstream media has something against Russell Westbrook, since they refuse to show him ample love, i.e. give him credit, consistently as due. Every once in awhile they'll mention him, maybe. He's getting like the DeMarcus Cousins treatment. So with this being NBA Inception, the next step is to theorize on what it is they may have against him, though that's a post for another day.
The thing that's really fuckin OKC up is that all of the Nuggets' starters - surprise surprise - are both healthy and effective. I, at least, didn't see that coming, especially not this deep into the Playoffs. Let's hope it remains that way, so it won't be one of those series like 'the only reason this team won is because an integral player on the other squad was injured'.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (1) vs MIINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (2)
Speaking of which, the T-wolves are the luckiest team in Playoffs thus far, as even without Steph, they had to go almost down to the wire to beat GSW in Game 3. So if Curry were around, you already know.
Minnesota came out arguably better from that KAT deal, but, I mean idk with this squad. They've had issues maximizing rosters for like the past decade, now even post-KAT. Well, I guess I can't really say that until they maybe beat the Warriors and then face whoever it is they'll be facing in the WCF. But beating the overrated Lakers and then maybe GSW with an injured or hobbled Steph, like those shouldn't be counted as major accomplishments for a squad of this caliber.
I'm starting to respect the coaching stylings of Steve Kerr. He's been doggedly loyal to the team's (star) vets, even as they've aged, yet at the same time makes bold, unexpected roster moves. But by this point, if Steph must come back next season, then they really need to start exercising the option of him coming off the bench for a number of reasons. None of us (outside of Minnesota) want to see him hurt at this point in the season.
INDIANA PACERS (2) vs CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (1)
I guess the implicit lesson of Game 3 is Darius Garland being more important to the Cavs' success than a lot of us assume. Cleveland is stacked, but apparently they need all of their stars to win against a quality team or whatever. That may come back to haunt them if they go on to face the Celtics.
The way Haliburton fizzled out of Game 3 reminds me of Myles Turner unexpectedly doing the same against Boston during one of those pivotal games during last season's Playoffs. I don't know what to make of these types of occurrences, especially for someone who's a perennial allstar, like Tyrese is supposed to be. Maybe the Cavs' defense is really that good? Anthony Edwards sometimes does the same thing, i.e. disappearing during big games. So I guess shit happens or whatever. But now you see why dudes be calling Haliburton overrated.
Speaking of Edwards, earlier I forgot to mention the way he banged on Looney in Game 3. Golden State's interior D is atrocious - as it's more or less been for the past few years - so there were a number of times it looked like "Ant-Man" could've banged it if he really wanted to. Btw, "Ant-Man" is the most nonimaginative, unapplicable nickname in the NBA. But that said, the 2025 Playoffs have featured some of the illest dunks ever. Remember what Gordon did to Holmgren in Game 1, what Nesmith did to Spida in Game 2? And there's at least one or two other ones from this postseason I'm forgetting at the moment.
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