The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs was an exciting one, bringing everything from sweeps to back-and-forth battles on both sides of the bracket.
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves have already secured spots in the second round, with the Nuggets and Timberwolves beginning a series in Denver on Saturday.
In the Eastern Conference, the Knicks and Pacers will reignite their rivalry on Tuesday in New York, with the Boston Celtics taking on the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers in the second round.
As such, two series, one for each conference, are still to be determined. Both players will return to action in Friday's Game 6, which could clinch a spot in the second round.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a 3-2 lead over the Orlando Magic and are looking to play in the East, despite the road team having yet to win a series. In the West, the Dallas Mavericks are home to the Los Angeles Clippers with a 3-2 advantage after an impressive Game 5 win in Los Angeles.
NBA insiders break down the biggest storylines to watch heading into these crucial Game 6 matchups.
more: Everything you need to know about the playoffs |
Offseason guide for each team
Can the Cavaliers generate enough offense on the road?
Friday, 7pm ET (ESPN)
Cleveland has built an advantage behind the league's seventh-ranked defense, but they need to score more to end this series in Orlando. In Game 5, the Cavs finally broke the 100-point mark. Darius Garland scored 17 points and Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points in the first quarter. Max Strus, who had struggled shooting, sank four 3-pointers and Marcus Morris Sr. scored. He added 12 points off the bench.
Yes, that game was sealed by Evan Mobley's block — his defensive presence is even more important now that Jarrett Allen's status is up in the air — but the Cavaliers' defense was sealed by Orlando's Kia. -In the two games we lost at center, we didn't have an answer to score. The Magic had the league's sixth-best home record during the regular season.
In Game 4, Mitchell was held scoreless in the second half, but the Cavs allowed a 31-5 run in the third quarter, making just 4-of-17 from three.
— Kendra Andrews
Will history repeat itself or can the Mavericks survive?
Friday, 9:30pm ET (ESPN)
Luka Doncic didn't want to hear it, but he interrupted a reporter's question as soon as the topic of the last playoff series between the Mavericks and Clippers came up.
These teams are in the same spot in the 2021 playoffs, with the Mavs leading 3-2 in the first round series heading into Game 6 at home. LA won the next two games, eliminating Dallas for the second straight year.
After his 35-point, 10-assist performance in the Mavs' Game 5 victory, Doncic insisted, “The present. The present. Not the past.”
Clippers star Paul George was understandably willing to discuss the recent history between the two teams. In fact, he decided to bring it up after what could be the Clippers' last home game at Crypto.com Arena unless they repeat their previous Game 6 road success. did.
“We've been here before. We went to Dallas and lost 3-2,” George said. “We have to win. The only mindset we have is to go get a win in Dallas.”
For example, three years ago, Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers to a Game 6 victory. He scored 45 points, matching his playoff career high, and played defense that held Doncic in check until the end of the game.
But the Clippers can't expect that to happen again. Leonard has been out since Game 3 due to ongoing inflammation in his right knee and is not expected to return this series.
Before this series started, Doncic pointed out another big difference from other times the Mavs and Clippers met in the playoffs.
“We have Kai,” Doncic said, referring to his championship-experienced co-star Kyrie Irving.
“I'll take some time off after this game,” Irving said. “Emotions are running high, but we must be prepared for whatever happens.”
— Tim McMahon
