As the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff spots have finally kicked off, the first week was filled with thrills that viewers were sure to tune in as all teams came up with exciting games.
In the first game with the Cleveland Cavaliers versus the Orlando Magic, star point guard Donovan Mitchell from the Cavaliers started the game off with deep threes near the logo and swervy pick-and-rolls off of screens given by Jarrett Allen. The game continued with dime passes coming from both ends, and wide open shots knocked down by Magic star Paolo Banchero. The final score ended with a score of 97-83, the Cavaliers taking the first win as the fourth seed at home.
A much anticipated match up between the third seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the sixth seed, the Phoenix Suns, starts off with a bang, as star Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves matched up against what viewers presumed to be his idol, Kevin Durant. The anticipated matchup between the two caused buzz around the arena, as Edwards threw down lobs, deep threes, and tough middle range fadeaways. The Timberwolves took the first game however, after their tough defense shook up the Phoenix Suns.
With the upcoming rising stars, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder faced the New Orleans Pelicans, where Zion Williamson sat out due to an ankle injury sustained from the play-ins against the Los Angeles Lakers. Many people believed this would be a shoo-in for the Thunders since they were the number one seed facing the number eight seed. However, both teams battled it out until the Thunder ended up taking Round One.
One of the biggest rivalries in NBA today, the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, played Round One in Boston’s arena, The Garden. Star player from the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler, was out for the series due to a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) tear sustained against the Philadelphia 76ers during the play-in tournament. The number one seed from the East facing the number 8 seed swept the Heat with a blowout at home, forcing Miami to make some major adjustments with their offense and defense for the next game in Round Two.
As star player, Kawhi Leonard, has been out with an injury for the first game of the Los Angeles Clippers battling the Dallas Mavericks series, he would be expected to return for Round Two. However, without Leonard, the Clippers managed to lock down dynamic duo Kyrie Irving and the Slovakian star Luka Dončić and take Round One in their arena. They are the number four seed matching up against the number five seed for an exciting tournament between vets and rising stars of the game.
One of the most surprising appearances in the playoffs include the Indiana Pacers, who were never expected to be claiming the 6th seed in the east. Their star, Tyrese Haliburton, takes on the Milwaukee Bucks, the 2021 NBA Champions, and their players, including, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton, with their new addition on their shooting game, ex-Trailblazers star, Damian Lillard. Although the Bucks were the number three seed, the Pacers gave them a fight. Still, the Bucks took the win in the end, hoping to give Milwaukee a run for their money in the second game of the seven game series.
As this team holds a 0-9 record against the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, they hope to end that drought in Denver. The Los Angeles Lakers started off the game with heat as D’angelo Russell hit continuous threes from deep. However, the incredible center Nikola Jokić and shooter Jamal Murray were not stoppable, and slowly made their way back to take the lead and Round One, making the Lakers drought continue to 0-10, going into Round Two again in Denver.
Finally, an exciting matchup between Jalen Brunson and Joel Embiid took place in New York after Philadelphia beat the Miami Heat in the play-ins to become the seventh seed. They played Brunson and the New York Knicks, with both teams battling their hearts out. However, the Madison Square Garden environment was too much for the 76ers to handle, and Brunson led the Knicks to their first playoff win in this series.
