The NBA is already playing all or nothing

The strength they show throughout the season, the dynamism with which they reach their decisive phase or the ability of their stars to deal with the most critical moments. Which will weigh more? The NBA is finally starting the race for a ring more open than ever. The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics They were the most regular franchise during the regular season, but phoenix suns Coming off the back of Kevin Durant’s hand, the Sixers are willing to go to war on MVP aspiring Joel Embiid and warriors they feel capable of extending their dynasty, with four championships in the last eight years, including the last one. All of them not excluding other applicants like some lakers that they have to confirm their place in the playoffs play in.

This format released in 2021 pits the Angelenos, seventh in the West, against the Timberwolves, eighth in the dawn of this Tuesday for Wednesday. With LeBron James recovering just in time to finish the season on a 16-7 streak, the Californians will face Santi Aldama’s Grizzlies if they win, otherwise still have a chance to make the playoff play and face the conference leader, the Nuggets, in the round against the victorious Pelicans-Thunder. Minnesota is also missing Gobert, suspended after hitting Anderson.

Infallible with Kevin Durant

Despite falling no higher than fourth overall, the West’s top contenders look like the Phoenix Suns, who have won eight of eight with Kevin Durant and will make his debut against the Clippers. The Warriors, who were sixth last day, will have the Sacramento Kings as their first opponent.

Their good regular season will allow more rest for the Denver Nuggets (with a performance of 53 wins and 29 losses) and the Memphis Grizzlies (51-31), although they will also need more time to meet their rivals.

Disturbances by Santi Aldama

Led by Morant and Jackson Jr., reliability off the canary bench Santi Aldama is another of the Grizzlies’ best arguments. In his second NBA season, he averaged 22 minutes, 9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 77 games, though he missed the last two with an elbow injury.

It will be more difficult for the player to participate in the playoffs. Willy Hernangomez with a very small role in some Pelicans must beat the Thunder and the Lakers-Timberwolves loser to face the Denver Nuggets.

Stronghold Ricky Rubio He is the second Spaniard to continue the competition. The Catalan returned in January after more than a year out with a left knee injury and posted 5.2 points, 2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 17 minutes in 32 games to help lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to fourth place at home court against the New York Knicks in what is predicted to be one of the closest series.

The other matchup already scheduled in the East is one that will pit the Nets against a couple of Sixers that no one is ruling out in the fight for a ring. WITH Joel Embiidthe leading scorer in the regular league and a serious candidate for the MVP, achieved 54 wins and only 28 losses and, if they overcome a very weakened opponent without Durant and Irving, they are candidates for the final matchup against the Boston Celtics.

Larry Bird’s record fell

The current vice-champions of the NBA League, who achieved 57 victories this season, will face off against the winner of the play-in between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks. The dismissal of Udoka and the arrival of Joe Mazzulla on the bench did not change the competitive gene of the franchise that is in Jason Tatum to his great reference in the field. He managed to surpass the legendary Larry Bird’s 39 games with more than 30 rating points during the season.

The other big contenders from the East will be the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the best record in the league, with 58-24. Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, averaging 31 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.4 points, leads a rocky team with few cracks that will begin its decisive road against a team that reached the play-ins. It will be whoever overcomes the tie between the Raptors-Bulls winner and the Heat-Hawks loser.