NBA Updates: 11

Photo from NBA.

Adu Reghuram

Hello basketball fans and welcome back to another weekly updates article! Wow.. from the delightful wonders of the play-offs to the animosity that follows behind it, I think I can speak for everyone when I say the play-offs are an exhilarating aspect of any sport. With the play-offs shining light right around the corner, I would like to share play-off previews from what we know so far. With that in mind, let’s dive right in!

Boston Celtics Vs. Atlanta Hawks 

With the two seed competing with the seven seed, it may get quite interesting. With the intimidating second seed competing with the Hawks, will the Hawks be comfortable facing a high caliber team at the beginning of the tournament? The last time these two teams met was in the play-offs on the date of 2016. No matter the opponent, the Celtics would be the heavy favorite in the series. Could the defending Eastern champions finally make a run in the finals? 

Joel Embiid Leads Sixers Against The Nets In The First Round

The Nets? The team that lost all their superstars? We’ve been anticipating a Nets-Sixers play-off series since James Harden forced his way out of Brooklyn. Additionally, this series will not include Ben Simmons. Joel Embiid will be the best player by far in this series.  For Brooklyn, their top six players are all competent and switchable defenders, and Mikal Bridges averaged 27.4 points per game over his first 23 games for the Nets. What do you guys think about these series? 

Phoenix Suns Vs. Los Angeles Clippers 

Kevin Durant changes everything about the Suns. When he arrived in Phoenix at midseason following a forced trade from the Nets, the Suns’ playbook and the scouting report suddenly had to change. Durant will have one of the biggest impacts in this series. His ability as a scorer, facilitator, and clutch player allows himself to disrupt the dynamics of any team he joins, in a good way of course. 

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Los Angeles Lakers 

“I wouldn't mind LeBron in a seven game series,” Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks said on Tuesday. With this being LeBron's first play-off round since 2021, NBA fans certainly won't complain about this juicy opening-round pairing. In the regular season, Memphis beat the Lakers three times. Give attention to the key matchup (Brooks vs. James), depth, and Anthony Davis. 

Next week, we will talk about the rest of these first round games. There have been many slots which have to be filled. Tune in next week!