Surprises, disappointments, sweeps, and game 7’s. This distinctive NBA season had the one thing that always comforted us, held us, scared us, angered us and that’s: playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers v Portland TrailBlazers – Lakers won the series 4 to 1
The Lakers came into this series as heavy favorites, however, from the first game, it seemed like we should have been paying more attention to the Trail Blazers. The Blazers went into the first game with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and decided to show that they deserved the hype that the Lakers seemingly get no matter what. The Lakers came into this playoffs after having only scored more than 93 points 5 games of their 9 games that were played in the bubble. However, after their first game loss and all the hype surrounding “Dame Time,” Lebron and AD decided to take matters into their own hands. For the next 4 games, the Lakers scored at least 110 points per game and at least 130 in the last 2 games. Lebron had an average of 27.4 points per game, while Anthony Davis had an average of 30 points per game, guiding their team to victory. Dame and CJ’s contributions cannot go unstated with Dame Time averaging 24.2 points and McCollum with 23.2. Stand out performances from Carmelo Anthony, Alex Caruso, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (who’s name sounds like the main reject from the Harry Potter spells). This series resulted in the win that we all saw coming, but something happened in the world of basketball that has been long overdue. Damian Lillard finally got the respect that he deserved. Mr. Clutch, Mr. Ice-in-his-veins, the man with the seemingly no facial expressions went off and social media exploded. #DameTime was everywhere and even though they lost, it was great to see a player that deserves so much praise finally getting it.
Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder – Rockets won it 4 to 3
With a series involving James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul, you know that you are going to be on the edge of your seat for the entire series and man oh man did they deliver. The entire series was like an Oprah Winfrey sweepstakes: “You get a win, you get a win, you get a win”. Obviously, Harden and Westbrook joining together in the playoffs for the first time since they played together in the Thunder was a must-see, but fans were a little disappointed when Westbrook was going to miss some games due to an injury. So, it was mostly Harden and Paul, players with fantastic resumes, carrying their respective teams on their backs, symbolizing what it means to be an athlete: hard work and dedication. However, when Westbrook eventually came back, it was just too much for the veteran guard to deal with. The Thunder was the surprise team in this playoff, no doubt. Many people didn’t even think they were going to make the postseason and to see them flourish, even for a second, with Chris Paul coming back again to prove that he still has a lot left in the tank was amazing for any fan to watch. Harden had 30.5 points per game and a clutch block in the final game to secure the win. Westbrook had 17 points per game, while Chris Paul ended with 21.3 points. Standouts include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Steven Adams, whose contributions to the Thunder made the impossible task of taking down the behemoth of the Rockets and The Beard seem less insurmountable.
Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets – Denver win the series 4 to 3
This series will be known as the true beginning of the Jamal Murray v Donovan Mitchell rivalry that will keep basketball fans entertained for years to come. This series was a coming-out party for Jamal Murray. Both players’ stat lines were something out of 2k. Murray had 31. 6 points per game and Mitchell had 36.3 points per game, while both players had at least 50 points in Game 4. The last time that happened was Micheal Jordan v Allen Iverson. Mitchell himself had multiple games with at least 50 points, which led to the NBA imposing a random drug test on this absolute freak of nature. Jokic and Murray were just too much for the Jazz and ended one of the best series in recent memory. Jokic himself had a great series with 24.9 points and a game-winning shot in Game 7, putting a dagger in Jazz fans everywhere. Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray had a moment at the end of Game 7. Mitchell, overwhelmed with exhaustion and frustration, collapsed on the court with enough emotion to make the most macho man shed a tear. Murray rushed over and gave him a comforting hug and basically said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be back”. Any NBA fan must be drooling at the anticipation of the future with these two facing against each other for the next 10 years.
Los Angeles Clippers v Dallas Mavericks – The Clippers won it 4 to 2
Veteran vs Young Player. Defense vs Offense. You might think that this describes any match up in any game in any league, but this is specific to Kawhi Leonard vs Luka Doncic. This series was another coming-out party, but this time it was for a player that is already somewhat famous. If anybody had any doubts about Doncic before this series, then those doubts are no longer there. What can you say that hasn’t been already said about the future superstar and face of the league? Doncic was an unstoppable force against an immovable object in Leonard and the Clippers. Both players were trading blow after blow until the more stacked team was able to move on. Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were against a Mavericks team with a semi-injured Doncic, fully injured Prozingis, Seth Curry, and Boban, the latter two playing at their full potential. This series was filled with game-winning shots, fights, injuries, tears, sweat, and yet all of us still wanted more. Despite a series where Doncic is scoring 31 points per game and Kawhi with 32.3 points per game, we still want more, showing the amazing longevity that this series attains and I think I speak for everyone when we say we can’t wait for more.
Milwaukee Bucks v Orlando Magic – Bucks won it 4 to 1
This series was probably the most frustrating to watch as a basketball fan. This was a series that gave you some good moments mixed with head-scratching moments. First, the Bucks. The Bucks came into the bubble as the best team in the league. The Greek Freak and Khris Middleton were supposed to be Batman and Robin and looked more like Bruce Wayne’s parents: dead and unmoving. Giannis and the Bucks haven’t looked the same since the restart. They won only 3 games out of the 8 they played in the bubble. Giannis seemed to have trouble finishing out games, and Middleton looked like an average player, at best. They even lost the first game to the Magic, a team that most people saw the Bucks sweeping in 4. Yes, the Bucks eventually won the series in 5, but if you’re a Bucks fan, I would be slightly worried for them as they are eventually going to have to face the better teams. The Magic played their hearts out with a bench that was basically half empty, and the fact that they won the first game is impressive enough. If healthy, who knows how far the Magic can go in the future.
Indianapolis Pacers v Miami Heat – Miami Heat sweeping the Pacers
In past years, the Miami Heat vs Indianapolis Pacers was a series to watch. Back when it was Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh against Paul George and the Pacers, those series sometimes went to 7 games, each being a nail-biter. Now, the series is still competitive, but the Heat took care of the Pacers in 4 entertaining and quick games. The Heat bench was absolutely critical in this series, overpowering the Pacers’ bench in every game in this packed series. Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren seemed to hate each other more and more, leading to heated moments on the court and absolutely mind-blowing plays for the fortunate fans. Dunks and threes were evident as both players tried to best the other and prove to be the better player, but Butler won each time, and I don’t think you’ll find a single fan who was bored.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers – Celtics sweeping the Pacers
“Trust the Process.” If I was a fan of the 76ers, I would start to look real closely at the so-called “Process” because I sure as don’t trust anything coming out of that locker room. “The Process” was supposed to symbolize the journey that the team had to go through to finally win a championship with players like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. “The Process” seemed more like “The Failure.” Even though Simmons was out with an injury, the series should have still been more competitive. The Celtics capitalized on this drowning organization and proved that they are a team that could go all the way with players like Tatyum scoring 25.4 points per game and Kemba Walker scoring 23 points per game. The Celtics with each game proved that they are a team to mess with and that a championship is in their future. The 76ers, on the other hand, need to quickly find the right direction before “The Process” becomes “The Riot” because as the past years have shown, the fans are not happy.
Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets – The Raptors also enjoyed a sweep against the Nets
The reigning champs absolutely dominated the Nets in 4 games that showed even without Kawhi, this team is something special, and you can not underestimate them, or before you know it, they will be shoving points down your throat. The games were highlighted with high scoring with some comebacks but even more blowouts. The Raptors played like a unit and that’s their best weapon. The fact that every player on the court and on their bench knows what the play is going to be and what will happen before it even happens is a testament to Nick Nurse, the head coach. Pascal Siakam stuffed his stats with another outstanding performance with 20.8 points per game. The Raptors bench was one of the bigger surprises of the playoffs. They came off the bench and immediately put to work, with standout players Serge Ibaka and Norman Powell taking over games. The Nets, with Caris LeVert and Jarret Allen, put up a good fight for a team that was missing their important players in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Once they get their superstars back, the Nets will become a team that many will not be able to stop. The one scary note about this series is the injury to star Toronto Raptors Point Guard Kyle Lowry. He came out of the fourth game with a pained grimace and a pretty bad ankle injury. One can hope that he comes back and brings his energy to a team that is slowly but surely becoming favorites for a repeat.
