A ticket to the conference finals is at stake.
The second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs began with Game 1 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets, resulting in an exciting matchup with the former defeating the defending champions.
There was no surprise upset in the first round, unless the Indiana Pacers eliminated an injury-riddled Milwaukee Bucks side.
Will the second round be simple or sprinkled with drama? Let's rank the four matchups from most interesting to least interesting.
4. Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The top-seeded Celtics dominated the Miami Heat, and there's a good chance they'll do it again in the second round.
Fourth-seeded Cleveland defeated the fifth-seeded Orlando Magic in seven games, but they don't have the quality needed to conquer Boston. Donovan Mitchell will get the numbers, but it's hard to imagine any other Cavalier getting the same performance over the series. The supporting cast surrounding Mitchell includes Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and Caris LeVert.
Even if Boston doesn't have Kristaps Porzingis, they do have Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Al Horford. Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard have seen role-playing minutes on a fairly shallow bench, but the Celtics have too much talent at the top to eliminate any doubts about their depth. be. The Celtics need to accomplish this in at least five innings.
3. New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
The second-seeded Knicks have outscored the Philadelphia 76ers in six games, but it will be interesting to see if Julius Randle's production can catch up to them. Up until now, it's been all about Jalen Brunson, but Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride, and Isaiah Hartenstein have all stepped up. However, Bojan Bogdanovic is undergoing foot surgery, so the Knicks will miss his shooting minutes. New York plays with tremendous grit and chemistry and will be a tough match in this round.
Sixth-seeded Indiana defeated a Bucks team that was completely without Giannis Antetokounmpo in six games, and other key players such as Damian Lillard also missed out on playing opportunities. The Pacers are anchored by Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, with key role players Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell. Indiana has better top-end talent on paper and could go as high as No. 6, but don't factor in New York State or No. 7, which finished similarly.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
Top-seeded Oklahoma City easily defeated the Zion Williamson-less New Orleans Pelicans, but the Thunder could prove themselves as legitimate favorites by defeating the more powerful Mavericks.
Dallas finished the regular season on a strong note as the No. 5 seed, defeating the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Clippers in six games. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the two superstars leading the way, while PJ Washington, Derek Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford are the main role players. However, Maxi Kleber is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder, and Tim Hardaway Jr., another key floor spacer, is dealing with an ankle injury.
The Thunder are led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and are looking to make their first postseason appearance with young players like Jaylen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Josh Guidy and Lou Dort. . This could very well be a seven-game stretch, but if Oklahoma City can endure Doncic and Irving when Dallas' role players are limited, the Thunder could advance faster.
1. Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Even before Game 1, this matchup was one of the highest quality for both sides. Of course, No. 2 Denver is the reigning champion, led by stars Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., with Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being the best role players. .
Third-seeded Minnesota is led by rising star Anthony Edwards. The former 2020 No. 1 overall pick will be supported by stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, while Mike Conley, Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels and Nickell Alexander-Walker will be strong. Completed role-playing group.
Jokic and Edwards will get the numbers, but it will depend on what happens with the rest of the players. While the Nuggets have experience among their key players, the Timberwolves have shown immense greed and are getting better production from their role players who could shake up the series. This could require a Game 7.
