Celtics cruise to game One victory over Heat
The first round of the playoffs are underway and full of memorable match-ups between the leagues brightest stars. The Playoff action will kick off on Saturday live on ABC and ESPN. The Boston Celtics are the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with a leagues-best 64-18 record. The Celtics have secured home-court advantage throughout the postseason. The Celtics will take on the Miami Heat in a Eastern Conference Finals rematch. The Heat will be without star Jimmy Bulter who suffered a sprain MCL in the play-in game vs. 76ers. For the Celtics, they will looking to return back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2022. As for the Miami Heat, they will look to be on another post-season run, this time without the heart and soul of the ball club.
The knicks return the favour in 76ers win
Among playoff series to watch, the No. 2 seed New York Knicks take on the reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the 76ers. After stealing a Game 1 victory 1 111-104, the Knicks lead the series 1-0. The 76ers’ playoffs hopes hang on the shoulders of their star Joel Embiid. In the second quarter Joel Embid had a brief injury scare after landing awkwardly on his left leg. The 76ers star returned and finished the game with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Knicks will host the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 on Monday.
Eastern Conference bracket
No. 1 Boston Celtics leads No. 8 Miami Heat (1-0)
No. 2 New York Knicks leads. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (1-0)
No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks leads No. 6 Indiana Pacers (1-0)
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers leads. No. 5 Orlando Magic (1-0)
Thunder Return to the playoffs as the No.1 seed
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the youngest team in NBA history to secure a No.1 seed. The Thunder will take on the New Orleans Pelicans in a first-round matchup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a on a mission this post-season. The Thunder return back to the playoffs for the first time since the bubble in 2020.
In the Western Conference, The Denver Nuggets are favoured to repeat as defending champions. In a Western Conference first round match-up against the LA Lakers, The Nuggets cruised to a 114-103 victory in Game 1 LeBron James and the Lakers are now 0-5 in the post-season vs. the Nuggets.
Anthony edwards erupts for 33 points in Game one win
The Minnesota Timberwolves stole a 120-95 Game 1 against the Suns. Anthony Edwards got the best of Sun’s Kevin Durant in a iconic duel. Their young dynamic superstar errupted for 33 points, 18 of which came in the third quarter. Edwards third quarter performance was a sight to see, he single-handedly outscored the entire Suns with eight made FGs. Anthony Edwards continues to emerge himself as a young superstar in the league after recording his sixth 30-point performance in the playoffs (one behind Kevin Garnett). The Timberwolves knows what’s at stake this post-season, and Edwards is willing to accept the challenge.
Western Conference Bracket
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder leads. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans (1-0)
No. 2 Denver Nuggets leads No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers (1-0)
No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves leads No. 6 Phoenix Suns (1-0)
No. 4 LA Clippers leads No. 5 Dallas Mavericks (1-0)