Memphis’ encore to its breakout season has been solid, but with some turmoil, while a second-half surge has Los Angeles playing fearsome basketball.
Author: Michael
Phoenix and L.A. are loaded with stars and built to win now, yet they’re facing each other in the first round. The difference in this series might be who’s available.
The Timberwolves filled out the NBA playoff bracket by securing the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a near-perfect performance Friday night against the Thunder.
The Heat and Timberwolves are headed to the playoffs. The Bulls and Thunder are headed home. Miami and Minnesota clinched the eighth and final seeds in their respective conferences Friday night in the final round of the play-in tournament. The Heat outlasted the Bulls in a defensive thriller while the T-Wolves blew out a young Thunder team. Here are four thoughts on the play-in results …
1. Jimmy Butler was named a finalist for the Clutch Player of the Year on Friday, and he lived up to that billing in the play-in finale.
The NBA playoffs are finally here.
After a particularly competitive regular 2022–23 season and a hotly-contested play-in tournament, 16 teams remain to compete for a championship. The playoffs will begin on Saturday April 15 and run through early June with the NBA Finals scheduled to begin on June 1.
This year’s postseason promises to bring forth a number of captivating storylines. LeBron James and the Lakers will look to complete their second-half turn-around, while the Warriors will try to steady the ship after a rocky regular season and repeat as NBA champions.
With Friday’s conclusion of the play-in tournament, the 2023 NBA playoffs field is set. The Heat held off the Bulls late to clinch the final spot in the East, while the Timberwolves blew out the Thunder to lock in the No. 8 seed in the west.
Our NBA experts make their picks through to the Finals, while also eyeing potential underdogs and players who face the most pressure this postseason.
Complete First-Round Schedule for the NBA Playoffs
Chris Herring
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Predictions through the NBA Finals
First RoundEastern Conference
No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No.
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Max Strus and Jimmy Butler scored 31 points apiece, and the Miami Heat got into the playoffs by rallying in the final minutes to beat the Chicago Bulls 102-91 in an Eastern Conference play-in game Friday night.
Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo were named the three finalists for league MVP Friday night, when finalists for all seven of the NBA’s major individual honors were announced.