Capsules on the primary spherical sequence of the jap convention:
N ° 2 Boston Celtics (61-21) in opposition to n ° 7 Orlando Magic (41-41)
Season sequence: Magic, 2-1.
Historical past: To begin, there may be the apparent shock of types. The Celtics have made greater than 3 factors and tried greater than 3 factors this season than any group within the historical past of the NBA. The magic led the League when it comes to lower than 3 factors made and three factors approved this season. Don’t count on a sequence crammed with hearth pictures 120-115; The magic has deserted the least factors of the NBA, the Celtics deserted the second plus. The sequence of the season was unusual; Orlando received a decent match on December 23 and took benefit of an eruption victory within the final week of the common season when Boston was sitting.
Key match: Jayson Tatum in opposition to Paolo Banchero. The previous Duke attackers are good mates – who is not going to matter for the week or the subsequent two, insists Tatum – and it’s straightforward to see sure similarities in the best way they play. If Banchero is 3S, Orlando is rather more troublesome to beat. Tatum, solely 27 years previous, is ninth amongst gamers lively within the rating of the playoffs.
Prediction: Celtics in 6.
N ° 3 New York Knicks (51-31) in opposition to n ° 6 Detroit Pistons (44-38)
Season sequence: Pistons, 3-1.
Historical past: The piston reward for among the best reversals of a season subsequent within the historical past of the NBA is a visit to Madison Sq. Backyard to begin their first sequence of qualifying sequence since 2019. Detroit has improved 30 victories after profitable 14-68 in 2023-24. Now, they’ve an opportunity to place an finish to the longest sequence of defeats within the historical past of the playoffs, whereas the pistons have misplaced 14 consecutive video games since their final victory within the 2008 Jap Convention finals. The Knicks, for his or her half, will attain the second spherical for the third consecutive season in the event that they win this sequence.
Key match: Jalen Brunson in opposition to Cade Cunningham. The guards of the celebrities are each masters to play at their very own tempo. The distinction is that the Knicks boast of the one who’s an artist confirmed in playoffs, as a result of final yr, Brunson grew to become the primary participant from Michael Jordan to have 4 consecutive matches of 40 factors within the playoffs.
Prediction: Knicks in 6.
N ° 4 Indiana Pacers (50-32) in opposition to n ° 5 Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
Season sequence: Bucks, 3-1.
Historical past: A revenge match of a primary spherical sequence a yr in the past, when the Pacers eradicated a group of high of the n ° 3 Bucks which was hampered to begin their race on the Jap Convention closing. The Indiana adopted this by profitable 50 video games for the primary time since 2013-2014, the final time the Pacers opened a eliminatory sequence in Indianapolis. Nonetheless, the Bucks really feel good within the place the place they’re after profitable their final eight video games of the common season and Erase Damian Lillard for a whole basketball exercise And a possible return throughout this sequence, after lacking final month with a deep venous thrombosis in his proper calf.
Key match: Pascal Siakam in opposition to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Siakam was essentially the most environment friendly participant in Indiana in opposition to Milwaukee throughout the common season, with a median of 24 factors out of 55% capturing. Antetokounmpo collected a median of 30 factors, 12.3 rebounds and seven.5 assists in opposition to the Pacers, not removed from its seasonal averages of 30.4 factors, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists, which all positioned within the Prime 13 of the League.
Prediction: Bucks in 6.
