The NBA Playoffs are here and it could not be any more exciting. The Play-in tournament was a great prelude and the brackets have some interesting match-up, with upsets already looking likely after round one. In what will be one of the most exciting playoffs in a while and a time of the year where sports calendars have some of their biggest events, openchange.org has you covered on the latest you need to know to stay in the action.
THE WEST
The Dallas Mavericks are once again up against the Clippers, but this time Luka Doncic does not have a bad ankle and the Clippers have been balling all season. Both teams are coming in on a high after Dallas went on a tear in the second half of the season to roar itself back into contention. Finishing as the fifth seed, the Mavericks earned their spot in the playoffs and facing the Clippers would have been an exciting prospect after last year’s heartbreaker. Doncic is out for revenge while the Clippers led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be looking to vindicate themselves after last year’s shock exit. So far, it is Doncic who took the advantage after a dominating game one win. The Trailblazers finished sixth and drew the Denver Nuggets who are going to be playing without Jamal Murray. With Jokic left to carry the team, Portland may have too much in the tank for the Nuggets. Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony were great in game one. Ja Morant and the Grizzlies showed why they belong in the postseason with a strong outing and upset of the Utah Jazz, who are without star man Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz are in troubled waters because Mitchell is a big part of their offense, and the Grizzlies are a top ten defensive and offensive team. The Lakers and Suns had LeBron and AD up against Chris Paul and Booker, and it was the Suns who edged the first game in a feisty contest.
THE EAST
The most exciting game in the East was the newbies Knicks and Hawks going at it like it was the good old times when these two legendary franchises dominated the East. The Knicks had all the energy of Madison Square Garden, but the Hawks had Trae Young, Mohawk Gallinari and hard play every possession. This one looks like it will be a long entertaining series. The Brooklyn Nets had all three of their superstars against the Celtics and it almost was not enough as defense continues to be a cause for concern. Jayson Tatum is playing without all of the help he can get but the Celtics will not give up so easily. Philadelphia has a tricky match-up against the Washington Wizards led by Beal and Westbrook, but the 76ers have three players who could be considered top five in the league this year in defense. Philly won game one. The Milwaukee Bucks are out for blood against the Miami Heat after last year and got off to a good start with a win, as Middleton drilled an insane game-winner.
