As the NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals heat up, fans across the league witness sweeps, heated controversy over foul calls, and superstar performances that could shape the NBA’s future.
The Los Angeles (LA) Lakers vs. Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder series was a breeze. OKC completely dominated the series in all aspects of the game.
Many fans are angered by the foul calls the Thunder get each game, arguing that “flops” are ruining the NBA and the sport of basketball. SGA leads the charge for his team in free throws with 10.4 FTA (free throws attempted) on average per game.
This sweep also leads many fans to believe that LeBron James may retire this offseason. No. 23 has completed 23 seasons with 3 teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
The first game of the NBA Playoffs conference semifinals features the 76ers vs. the Knicks. Guard versus guard, Tyrese Maxey versus Jalen Brunson matchup. Many fans think that this matchup will be the best in this round of the playoffs, since each team has disappointed in the playoffs every year, even though both teams have a lot of potential in the playoffs.
The Knicks came up short again and again in the Playoffs, and this year the East is wide open. The former favorite No. 1-seeded Pistons have struggled in the first round against the Orlando Magic, which has led fans to believe the Knicks are now the favorite for the Eastern Conference.
Each team has a great supportive cast that should be able to take one of them far in the playoffs. Philly has Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Paul George, to name a few. This year is the 76ers’ year if they want to win the NBA Finals. No injuries on the team means no excuses for Philly.
The Knicks finished the series 4-0 in dominant fashion. In game 4, to cap it all off, Paul George had a -35 +/-, which means when George was on the floor, the 76ers had a point differential of -35.
The next matchup is the four-seeded Cavs vs. the one-seeded Pistons. A nice Midwest matchup between the rival states of Michigan and Ohio. JB Bickerstaff, the Pistons’ current head coach, was fired from the Cavs at the end of the 2023-24 season after the Eastern Conference Semifinals loss 4-1 against the Celtics.
The Pistons went up in the series 2-0, both at home, 111 to 101 and 107 to 97. The Cavs consistently turned the ball over early in the series, with 20 turnovers in the first game and James Harden led the charge with 7 turnovers. Also, in the second game, the Cavs shot 7 for 32 (22 percent) from three point range, while the Pistons were red hot from three, and shot 14 for 28 (50 percent).
But in games 3 and 4, the Cavs found their jam. Cleveland won the turnover battle in their home games by 6, and won both games: 116 to 109 and 112 to 103. Headed into game 5, Cleveland only won at home through the first 4 games, but has not won at all away in the postseason.
But that all changed on May 13th at 8pm. A nail-biter of a game. Cleveland came back down 9 with 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter to tie the game and force overtime. There was a controversial no-call on Jarrett Allen, in what looked like an unintentional trip with 1 second left in regulation.
Cleveland comes out hot with a 7-point lead to start OT. Cade Cunningham made it close with a clutch two-pointer to shorten the lead to 2. After James Harden was fouled and went 1/2 at the line, but on the second free throw, he got his own rebound and was fouled to close the game.
Cleveland closed the game out 117-113 with some clutch James Harden free throws and a clutch offensive rebound. Cade Cunningham put up a valiant effort, and led scorers in the game with 39 points and 9 assists. James Harden led scorers for the Cavs with 30 points, with 11 free throws made off of 14 FTA.
Detroit stole game 6 with their backs up against the wall in Cleveland, to even the series 3-3, to force game 7s for both of their second times this postseason.
Cleveland dominated the Pistons to close out the series in 7. Detroit was never in the game, as the Cavs jumped out and led by 17 at half. Cleveland won by 31 and sent Detroit home at their home court. Remember, Detroit had only 14 wins on the season 2 years ago, and have improved tremendously to be a one seed and win a playoff series. The Pistons organization and fans have nothing to hang their heads about.
The Spurs vs. the Timberwolves series has probably been the closest and has entertained the most yet. Battle for the face of the league, Frenchman Victor Wembanyama (Wemby) vs. Anthony Edwards. After they stole the first game in San Antonio 104-102, the Timberwolves lost 2 straight games, going down 2-1.
In game 4, Wemby was ejected from the game with a flagrant 2 foul against Naz Reid, elbowing him in the head/neck area. The Spurs lost too much star power, and Anthony Edwards and the Wolves pulled it out in a close game, 114-109 on Mother’s Day. Wemby came back and won 126-97 in game 5.
The San Antonio Spurs closed the series in 6 in dominant fashion, and won game 6 by 30. Wemby and the Spurs now look to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Conference Finals.
