NBA Playoffs Recap and Predictions

If you didn’t catch the Spurs vs. Thunder game last night, it’s a shame. There were definitely some valid concerns about the game—though I think some of them were a bit exaggerated. But honestly, the basketball was just entertaining. Victor Wembanyama had moments of brilliance, and Alex Caruso put on an impressive performance. The Cavs and Knicks have quite a bit of work ahead if they want to match that level of excitement from last night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers might be feeling exhausted. Tonight marks their 15th playoff game. They’ve gone through two tough series already and found a way to win both. Now, they are just one win away from making it to the NBA Finals, but it’s going to be challenging. On a positive note, they’ve managed to win four of their last five games, which suggests they’re finding some stability.

So, how can the Cavs pull off an upset tonight—and in the series overall? Donovan Mitchell really needs to stand out as the best player. He and Jalen Brunson will likely neutralize each other, so it’s essential for Jarrett Allen to dominate the boards and disrupt Karl-Anthony Towns’ playmaking. Above all, James Harden needs to show he can be reliable. In the series against Detroit, he was averaging less than 20 points and only 6.3 assists, which is pretty far below his normal output.

The New York Knicks seem to be the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Their playoff performance against Philadelphia highlights why. Out of ten postseason games, they’ve won eight and lost only two—both by a single point. Their victories, on the other hand, have been convincing. They’ve won by margins of 11, 16, 29, 51, 39, 6, 14, and 30 points, with several double-digit wins and four games where they led by 29 or more points. They’ve been impressive this postseason.

Given their success, do the Knicks have to change anything to win this series? It’s tough to argue they need improvements. Brunson has been stellar, his defense has been on point, and Towns contributes significantly as a playmaker. They managed to sweep the 76ers even without OG Anunoby. Now that he’s back, he could pose a problem for the Cavs, especially considering how his scoring might play a key role in this matchup. If Mitchell and Brunson balance each other out while Towns, Allen, and Mobley handle their responsibilities, Anunoby could end up being the deciding factor against Max Strus.

Then there’s the question of rest versus rust. The Knicks haven’t played since May 10, giving them a mental and physical advantage. The Cavs, on the other hand, just came off a grueling Game 7 against the Pistons. They were fortunate not to have exhausted themselves further. This game definitely has the potential to swing either way if the Knicks don’t come out sluggish.

I’d consider playing the Cavs to win the first quarter at +1.5. The Knicks may struggle a bit early. The Cavs appear to be in a decent rhythm and have already demonstrated they can perform well following a tough match. Still, there’s always the chance they might lose steam as the game progresses.