**This is being written on the afternoon of April 24 and will not reflect any matchups that occurred afterwards**
A week ago, I took it upon myself to predict how each series in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs would go.
While the playoffs are not even halfway through, I thought it would be a good time to check in on the league and see how each series is shaping up after just one week.
Eastern Conference:
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic
Orlando got a shocking win in Game 1, led by a 23-point, 9-rebound performance from forward Paolo Banchero. Center Wendell Carter Jr. also added 17 points and a team-high 5 assists in the 112-101 win in game one.
However, this high did not last long for the Magic, as the Pistons won Game 2 in dominant fashion, 98-83. Detroit guard Cade Cunningham led the way with 27 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds.
Forward Tobias Harris helped out as well with 16 points and 11 rebounds of his own, along with incredible defense. The Pistons only allowed the Magic to score 83 points, and they also held the Magic to just 33% shooting from the field.
The Pistons earned their number one seed in the East because of their tenacity on defense. If they want to have any chance to win, they have to keep that up just as they did in Game 2. Orlando needs to do the opposite and have Banchero and guard Desmond Bane constantly see the ball go through the hoop.
Where it stands: The series is tied 1-1 with Game 3 slated for April 25.
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
As expected, Boston came out of the gates hot, winning game one by over 30 points, 123- 91. The Celtics shot over 50% as a team and were led by their all-stars, guard Jaylen Brown and forward Jayson Tatum, who scored 26 and 25 points, respectively.
However, Game 2 was completely different as Philadelphia got their get-back 111-97. 76ers’ rookie forward, VJ Edgecombe, burst out with a 30-point, 10-rebound performance, and guard Tyrese Maxey almost matched it with 29 points of his own.
The Celtics struggled from beyond the arc in Game 2, only shooting 13 for 50. This will be a real problem for Boston if this trend continues moving forward, as they shoot the third most threes in the NBA.
Where it stands: The series is tied 1-1, with Game 3 scheduled for April 24.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks
The Knicks were hungry to reach the conference finals for the second year in a row, and came out firing on all cylinders for a Game 1 victory, 113-102. The Knicks looked unstoppable in the second half and had all five of their starters score double figures.
This all changed in Game 2, though, where guard CJ McCollum looked like his vintage self and led the Hawks with 32 points and 6 assists en route to a 107-106 win. This game went all the way to the last possession, where the Knicks had a chance to win the game down one, but guard Mikal Bridges missed the game-winning shot at the buzzer.
As the series moved to Atlanta, New York was ready to steal one back, but McCollum wanted none of that. The Hawks won Game 3 in another game that went down to the wire, 109-108. After some questionable coaching decisions from Knicks’ head coach Mike Brown, McCollum hit a jumper over New York’s guard Miles McBride with 15 seconds left to seal the win for Atlanta.
Now that Atlanta has gone up a game and still has another game at home before going back to New York, Brown needs to make some series lineup changes to prevent Atlanta from completely stealing the series.
Where it stands: Atlanta leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for April 25.
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors
Cleveland took care of business at home, winning both Game 1 and Game 2 with ease. Star guards James Harden and Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers.
Mitchell scored 30 or more in each of the first two outings, and Harden added 22 points and 10 assists in Game 1 and 28 points in Game 2.
Once the series crossed the border, everything changed. Toronto was feeling the home crowd’s energy and won Game 3 126-104. All-star forward Scottie Barnes had 33 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, and Canada-native forward RJ Barrett added 33 points of his own.
The stars will be stars and score the basketball, but if either of these teams wants to run into the second round, it will be because of one of their role players. I would especially watch out for Cleveland’s guard Max Strus and Toronto’s forward Collin Murray-Boyles.
Both of these players already have 20-point games in wins this series, and their play will be absolutely crucial if their team wants to come out of this series on top.
Where it stands: Cleveland leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for April 26.
Western Conference:
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Phoenix Suns
While this series is going the way most expected, with the Thunder winning Game 1 and Game 2 without breaking much of a sweat, the officiating is what has made the series a popular topic in the media.
In Game 1, reigning MVP and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 15 free throws, the most in his postseason career. In Game 2, the controversy only got worse, with Suns’ star guard Devin Booker publicly calling out the officials in a postgame press conference. He was fined $35,000 for his comments.
This all stems from Booker being called for a technical foul for simply trying to save a ball from going out of bounds. Booker called out Thunder guard Alex Caruso for asking the official to give Booker a technical, something the official did after Caruso asked.
Booker also called out officials for their emphasis on blowing the whistle in the Thunder’s favor, comparing the series to the WWE.
Where it stands: Oklahoma City leads the series 2-0 with Game 3 scheduled for April 25.
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers
This series also started as expected, with the Spurs taking a series lead after a commanding Game 1 win, 111-98. San Antonio was led by unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner and forward Victor Wembanyama, who scored 35 points, the most points by a Spur in their playoff debut.
Game 2 wasn’t as friendly to Wembanyama, as he went down with a concussion in the second quarter. Without Wembanyama, the Spurs struggled, and guard Scoot Henderson took advantage, scoring 31 points to help the Trail Blazers take Game 2 106-103.
Wembanyama is listed as questionable for Game 3, and forward Deni Avdija and Portland will look to take advantage of his absence as it attempts to complete the upset.
Where it stands: The series is tied 1-1, with Game 3 scheduled for April 24.
No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
A week ago, I predicted this series would be the best of the first round, and it would seem as though I was right. The Nuggets started off strong, winning Game 1 116-105, led by a 25-point triple-double from center Nikola Jokić and 30 points from guard Jamal Murray.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards took that loss personally and came out with 30 points and 10 rebounds of his own in Game 2.
As the series turned to Minnesota, former Illini and guard Ayo Dosunmu decided it was his turn to shine, scoring a team-high 25 points and 9 assists. Center Rudy Gobert also showed why he is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, holding Jokić to 27% shooting and the Nuggets to 96 points in a Game 3 victory.
Where it stands: Minnesota leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for April 25.
No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets
A week ago, I predicted the Rockets would win this series in six games. While it’s still mathematically possible, forward Kevin Durant being ruled out again for Game 3 is making that outcome look unlikely.
Lakers forward LeBron James is not playing like he’s 41 years old, as he’s averaging 23.5 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds through the Lakers’ two wins.
Guard Luke Kennard has also come alive for Los Angeles. He averaged less than 10 points in just 21 minutes per game in the regular season, but scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2 in 40 minutes per game so far in the playoffs.
For Houston to even attempt to come back, they need center Alperen Sengun to step up in Durant’s absence. The big man averaged over 20 points a game this season, but needs to hike that number up for his team to have a chance.
Where it stands: Los Angeles leads the series 2-0, with Game 3 scheduled for April 24.