Could this be the end?
Denver Nuggets up 3-0 vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers could get swept again. They are in the midst of game 4, and while they definitely have a chance to take a game, they have lost 11 straight games to the Nuggets, so I doubt they can win more than just this game. LeBron James has to be tired of all this losing, and his player option means he could be a free agent this summer. The Nuggets are just so much more talented than the Lakers. Anthony Davis and LeBron are the only players who have shown up all series. Could all this lead to LeBron finding another team? I'm starting to believe so.
The Suns are a Colossal Failure
Minnesota Timberwolves up 3-0 vs Phoenix Suns
The Suns swung big this summer and boy did they miss! It didn't seem possible that pairing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal with Devin Booker could go this wrong, but it has. The players that they bet on lack leadership, are too old, and all offer similar skills. Anthony Edwards has taken the soul of this Suns team and is easily the best player on the court. It’s hard to see many avenues for this team to improve, so less than a year after the Suns were favorites to contend for a championship, they are on the verge of being swept and have one of the most bleak futures in the league.
It's Still the Same Old Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers down 2-1 vs Dallas Mavericks
This Clippers team looks old and their trades for older superstars are starting to catch up to them. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Paul George are all underperforming in the playoffs and Kawhi Leonard is too injured to carry them. Their bets have not paid off. Trading young stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Paul George are the reason the Clippers will always be the Clippers, offseason champions with little playoff success. Nothing has changed, the Clippers are still one of the most disappointing teams in the league.
Nothing to See Here
Oklahoma City Thunder up 3-0 vs the New Orleans Pelicans
Without Zion Williamson, the Pelicans don’t have a chance against the Thunder. Game 1 was just a two point game, but Games 2 and 3 were both blowouts. It looks likely that OKC will sweep the Pelicans. It is a tough end to both the Pelicans and Zion's season, as he was playing the best basketball he had ever played, but his injury gives them just about no chance in this series.
Disaster in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks down 2-1 vs Indiana Pacers
The Bucks can’t win this series without Giannis. It's now being reported that Damian Lillard has Achilles soreness and is in a walking boot. The Bucks are doomed. Khris Middleton is still carrying their team, but even with his heroic 4th quarter and overtime of Game 3, he doesn't have enough help for them to win this series. Even before Dame's injury, he was struggling during this series. If Giannis and Dame can't return, and both are doubtful for Game 4, I don't see them winning another game. Get Khris Middleton some help?
Boston is Beatable
Boston Celtics up 2-1 vs Miami Heat
The Celtics have been the best team in the league throughout this season, and it was easy to envision them walking into the finals. I'm not so sure they can hold up down low anymore. The Heat aren’t talented enough to have a chance against this Boston squad, but Bam Adebayo has been tremendous, averaging almost 22 points per game. His performance paired with the struggles of Kristaps Porzingis, scoring 6 points and posting a +/- of -32 in Game 2, make it seem likely a team with talented big men will beat this Celtics team. The 76ers, Timberwolves, or Nuggets can all beat this Celtics team.
The Knicks are Legit
New York Knicks up 2-1 vs Philadelphia 76ers
Going into this series, with the 76ers coming off a nine game winning streak, and the recent news of Julius Randle undergoing season ending surgery, I expected the 76ers to have an easier time with the Knicks than they have had. They lost both games at Madison Square Garden. Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart have all been much better than I expected, but after Joel Embiid dropped 50 points in Game 3, the 76ers have made it a real series. This series looks like it will go to a game 7.
The Magic are too Young
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers tied 2-2
The Cavs blew out the Magic in both Games 1 and 2, but the Magic came back to even the series in their two home games. Orlando just doesn't look ready to really compete this year. Paolo Banchero's first three playoff games has to have given the Magic hope, but his game 3, scoring just 9 points and racking up 4 turnovers, is another inconsistency that can be attributed to the youth of the team. Because of this, it's hard to believe either team will have a chance against the Celtics next round.
Photos by Getty Images
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