Round 2! The conference semifinals of the NBA Playoffs have begun, and the entire field is ready. Who will win Celtics vs. Cavs? Knicks vs. Pacers? Thunder Mavs? Nuggets vs. Wolves? Our writers choose.
Dan Devine: Celtics in 5th place. Cleveland could barely break through a point per possession against the Magic’s suffocating defense, and needed 39 points on 17 free throws from Donovan Mitchell over 45 minutes to shake off an opponent who could barely score. It was necessary to take it away. Now, they have elite point-of-attack defensive depth (Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum) as well as the Celtics, who score like the best offense in the NBA. have to fight against the team. without it Kristaps Porzysis. This is a recipe for a short stay for the Cavs in the second round and for Boston to actively take the next step toward Banner 18.
Ben Rohrbach: The Celtics are in 5th place. Boston has too many defensive options to throw to Donovan Mitchell, including five-time All-Defensive selection Jrue Holiday. Slowing him down could bring Cleveland’s offense to a grinding halt, as it did at times in the first round against Orlando. The Celtics offense is different than the Magic offense. Because all these defensive options can also score in bunches. The math doesn’t add up for the Cavaliers, who are hoping for an anomaly to stay in this series.
Vincent Goodwill: The Celtics won six games. Cleveland is limping into this series, but no one is sure about Jarrett Allen’s status due to a rib injury. The absence of Kristaps Porzyszcz for this series also cannot be ignored, reducing the effective dynamics of the Celtics’ offense. It could cost them a game or another. But the Cavaliers don’t have the size at the guard spot to truly take advantage of the Celtics. Donovan Mitchell has solved Orlando’s long, lanky defense, but it’s another test — he’ll be explosive for a game or two, but Cleveland will take on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. There won’t be enough help.
Jake Fisher: The Celtics won five games. Other than the Heat’s historic shot in Game 2, the Celtics easily defeated Miami. I expect this matchup to be of similar length, although it’s a much more difficult puzzle for Boston to solve. The Celtics could struggle with Cleveland’s length without Kristaps Porzisis. Jarrett Allen’s own health is in question. But Al Horford proved he was still up to the task.
Knicks vs. Pacers: Who did they get?
Fisher: Perhaps the Knicks will prove too battered and scarred after a six-game whirlwind with Joel Embiid and Philadelphia. But the three-day break before New York welcomes Indiana to Madison Square Garden is enough for Tom Thibodeau’s 40-minute marathoners to regroup and take care of Tyrese Haliburton and others. It should be.
Divine: Knicks lead by 7 points. The Pacers are the NBA’s No. 2 offense, led by All-Star facilitator Tyrese Haliburton, and are built to play beautifully. But these knicks are made to destroy beautiful things.
Rohrbach: Knicks lead by 6 points. Madison Square Garden is going to be an absolute beast — unlike anything this edition of Indiana has ever seen before — and the Knicks are tough enough to make the trip. Reggie Miller isn’t walking through that door. Jalen Brunson and Nova Knicks are Wildcats.
Goodwill: Knicks lead by 6 points. I don’t know how well the Flying Brunsons are playing or if they’re just playing hard and playing well. A Brunson vs. Haliburton matchup would be fun and remind us of the rivalry of the ’90s, but I don’t think the Pacers have what it takes to give the Knicks more than a scare at MSG.
Read our preview of the Knicks vs. Pacers series.
Thunder vs. Mavs: Who did we get?
Rohrbach: 6th place Thunder. He’s as talented as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who are also worthy of attention, but Oklahoma City is just as impressive and deep as a team. People are going to learn a lot about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who play beyond their years.
Goodwill: No. 7 Mavericks. Call for an upset! Not because Dallas is better. Oklahoma City is dynamic and dynamic. Will the Thunder be desperate enough to match what Luka and Kyrie bring? They have Lou Dort and Williams guarding those two, Shai on the wing and Chet at the rim. Wait, why am I complaining about being upset? It’s only because Dallas realizes a desperate moment of truth and Doncic becomes the best player on the floor late in the game. However, I am not confident in this choice.
Fisher: Thunder by 7 points. The first round went exactly as advertised, dominating New Orleans without Zion Williamson getting in the way. OKC has the tougher task of matching the All-Star playmaking duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving that Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum had hoped for. But the Thunder, despite being young and inexperienced, simply know what the pros are looking for.
Divine: In this situation where absolute war is guaranteed, I’d rather Oklahoma City’s cadre of perimeter defenders at least have Luka Doncic and Kyrie than I would trust Dallas’ opponents to step on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I think I trust Irving to work for everything. And Jalen Williams. In addition to that, OKC has home court advantage, which is what drew me to the youth ministry side.
Nuggets vs. Wolves: Who did we get?
Divine: The Nuggets are in 7th place. Minnesota’s defense and Anthony Edwards believe it’s good enough to beat the league’s best rival.But I knowThere’s no question Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and others are good enough to do that. And in a series like a coin toss, that certainty is enough to lead me to the defending champion.
Goodwill: Nuggets lead by 6 points. This makes it a 2-2 series, with both teams winning on the other’s home floor, and then the champions applying their experience and sweat to face an even tougher battle. Minnie is ready to take them down and this serves as Anthony Edwards’ official coming out party featuring Jaden McDaniels. We can’t wait, but this will allow Nikola Jokic and the rested Jamal Murray to reach their full potential.
Rohrbach: Nuggets lead by 7 points. This was a high-pressure series, perhaps the biggest set outside of the Finals, and Denver was an automatic bucket in the opener. Anthony Edwards is an unbelievable player, but he’s never been in a situation like this before. If you decide to bet on the Nikola Jokic fight, you do so at your own risk.
Fisher: Nuggets in 7th place. Minnesota will pose the biggest, biggest and toughest playoff challenge Denver has seen since last year’s championship run. The Timberwolves have the size to match the Nuggets’ length. Minnesota is a defensive giant. Anthony Edwards is moving up in the standings, but a draw would go to the reigning champion.
Read our preview of the Nuggets vs. Wolves series.
