2024 NBA Playoff Update
2024 NBA Playoff Update
Ever since the Pacers and Knicks met in two consecutive, highly memorable playoff series in 1994 and again in 1995 (they technically had also met in 1993, but I have no real memories of that series), playoff basketball in May never quite felt complete to me without a series between these two franchises. So I am always glad to see these two teams compete at this level, and at this time of the year. Indeed, it was a pleasure to see them going at it in a memorable Game 1 battle.
It was both familiar, yet also very different. The similarities were, of course, surface level: these two franchises involved in another tight contest that goes down to the wire, and which showed quite a bit of physicality. The differences? Well, the defenses were almost absent, as it became more of a shooting contest than those earlier meetings ever would have been, as both the Pacers and the Knicks back in the nineties were known mostly as physical, mostly defensive teams.
Ultimately, the Knicks won. It felt like the Pacers played sloppy towards the end, particularly with careless passes that wasted opportunities and too often resulted in turnovers and even points the other way. Also, it felt like the refs played a bit too prominent a role towards the end. I know that controversial decisions seem to also have defined this rivalry back then, but still, it just felt a bit excessive this time around. For now, the Knicks are up, 1 game to 0.
Just one year after winning their first NBA title, the Denver Nuggets look like an old and beaten ex-champ against the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota seemed to look very impressive during the first round, like a real contender. But if anything, they have looked even more impressive to this point. The T-Wolves just squeaked past the Nuggets in Game 1. However, they absolutely dismantled the Nuggets in Denver in Game 2. The series now shifts to Minnesota, with the defending champion Nuggets clearly needing to make adjustments. Based on how the series has gone to this point, and the trends when these two franchises have met during the regular season as well, there is little to make one believe that Denver can come back and win this series. But we shall see. They rose to the level of champions for a reason last year, and it would not be shocking for them to show why somewhere along the line here.
In Boston, the Celtics really took care of business with a convincing win over the Cavaliers to take a 1-0 lead in that series. They have been my pick to come out of the East and reach the NBA Finals, although my pick for the West, Denver, sure seems unlikely at the moment.
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder tangled with the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of that playoff series. Don't remember these two teams ever meeting in the playoffs before, although I could be mistaken. Or maybe it was not quite as memorable as some of those others. Dallas looked to have the advantage early, but the Thunder began to take over and, ultimately, won this one going away to open up a 1-0 series lead.
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