The second round of the playoffs has been nothing if not action-packed. Both No. 1 and 2 seeds in the East have faced stiff competition and may be on their way out to make way for the fitter 3rd and 4th seeds. In the West, the No. 1 seed remains strong but has no room for slip-ups. Let’s take a closer look at the match-ups.
Cavaliers vs Pacers
If ever there was a time that a player rose to the occasion, this would be it. Tyrese Haliburton showed up for the Indiana Pacers in this series against Cleveland. The Pacers won the first two games on the road at Rocket Arena, Cleveland. The Cavs took game three but ceded games four and five. The Pacers will make their second conference final appearance in a row after a 10-year hiatus since 2014. The Pacers now await either the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks for the Eastern Conference Finals.
Celtics vs Knicks
New York has kept Boston on its toes in this series, leading 3-2. Jalen Brunson’s performance this season has hoisted the New York team to playoff heights and may just get them into the conference finals. Boston, the No. 2 seed, managed to win game 5 without their star player, Jason Tatum, who tore his left Achilles tendon on Tuesday during game 4. Game six is set for the 17th at Madison Square Garden, home of the Knicks.
Thunder vs Nuggets
Jokic and his band of brothers have really put on a great show this playoffs. Coming into this matchup as the underdogs, the Nuggets have managed to win two games. OKC leads the series 3-2, with game six set for tomorrow at Ball Arena, home of the Nuggets. Denver needs to win this game to keep the series alive if they want to make a run for the conference final and, ultimately, the NBA championship.
Warriors vs Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards has been instrumental in lifting the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves yesterday closed the series 4-1. The Warriors were without the much-needed services of star player Steph Curry, who was out on injury with a left hamstring strain. The Timberwolves advance to the conference finals and await either OKC or Denver.
As the NBA Finals inch closer, the action gets better and better. Let’s wait and see who gets the chance to battle for the ring this season.
