Eastern Conference
#1 Boston Celtics vs #8 Miami Heat
(BOS wins 4-1)
This first-round matchup was a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals, with Miami winning in a close game 7 to advance to the 2023 NBA Finals. This year, on paper and with an injured Jimmy Butler, this series should have been a sweep, but with Heat Culture and the lackadaisicalness of the Boston Celtics, it’s not a massive surprise to anyone that it went five. It's not too bad, but it's something to watch.
#4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #5 Orlando Magic
(CLE wins 4-3)
Game 7. Two of the most important words in sports. While this was the only series to go seven, if there were an award for “sleeper series” or “snooze fest”, this would win by a landslide, if that makes sense. Both teams, which traditionally have been subpar, to say the least, have recently found their groove. For the Cavs, post LeBron James, it only took about four or five years for the franchise to seemingly refind their footing and attain a winning record above .500. With the win, the Cavs clinched their first playoff series win in the post-LeBron era and their first series win without LeBron James since 1993, over 30 years ago. On the other hand, the Orlando Magic haven’t had much playoff success since the days of Dwight Howard in the 2009-2010 season when they made the Eastern Conference Finals.
#3 Milwaukee Bucks vs #6 Indiana Pacers
(IND wins 4-2)
Doc Rivers has found an excuse yet again, although this one is unfortunately more reasonable than the priors. Giannis Antetokounmpo, out with a left calf strain during a game against the Boston Celtics, has missed this series and has been sidelined since April 10th, 2024. After setting a Bucks postseason scoring record, dropping 35 points in the first half of Game 1, Damian Lillard’s imprint on this series has been hardly felt. The injury bug bit again when Lillard aggravated an Achilles injury late in Game 3 and out ever since. Khris Middleton also sprained his ankle during the Bucks's Game 2 loss and is one of few rays of hope for the Bucks, averaging 26.8ppg, 9.4rpg and 5apg on 49.5fg%, 37 3pt%, and 89.7ft%.
#2 New York Knicks vs #7 Philadelphia 76ers
(NYK wins 4-2)
A grueling series, to say the least. These teams have been trading blows nonstop and giving fans and the NBA world much to discuss. They say basketball is better when the Knicks are good, and right now, they are in the midst of something special and on the cusp of something even more extraordinary. Initially seen as an overpay, Jalen Brunson has become one of the greatest free agency acquisitions ever. The Knicks have not been this good in decades; the future is bright. On the other hand, Embiid and the Sixers look to get to and finally move beyond the second round of the playoffs. Injuries have forever been a given for Joel Embiid, and this year, the theme continues. From Bell's Palsy, an unexplained weakening/paralysis of the facial muscle, to a nagging knee(meniscus) injury, Embiid has been nothing short of hobbled.