On Thursday night, the New York Knicks punched their way into Conference Semifinals after a pulsating finish against the Philadelphia 76ers. The decisive blow that separated these teams was a three-pointer by Josh Hart with 25.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Knicks and Sixers played six games and were separated by only 1 point. The only shame for basketball fans was that this series all the making of a classic game 7. However, the Knicks moved on to play the Pacers which caused us to reminisce about Reggie Miller’s heroics in 1995 at Madison Square Garden when he scored 8 points in 8.9 seconds to shock Gotham City. The other matchup set for the Western Conference is an epic clash of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets where star power will be on showcase. In this article, we will preview these two series, the key matchups, and predict who wins.
1. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs 2 Denver Nuggets
1. Key matchups for Timberwolves- the two key matchups in this series are Jamaal Murray vs Jayden McDaniels and whoever guards Anthony Edwards. Nikola Jokic averaged 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round 4-1 series victory. I think Jokic is unstoppable as the best player in the league and will get his numbers regardless of wins or losses. I think Jamaal Murray is the player that determines that the Timberwolves should look to slow down with Jayden McDaniels. Murray is one of the most underrated players in the league, and against the Lakers, he showed why he is one of the best closers. Murray struggled early in games but has the uncanny ability to get hot in the fourth quarter to bury the Lakers with two game-winning shots. McDaniels will look to use his size and strength as one of the best perimeter defenders in the playoffs to slow down Jamaal.
2. Key Matchup for Nugget- the Nuggets will have their hands full in slowing down Anthony Edwards. Edwards averaged 31.0 points, 8.0, and 6.3 assists per game in a 4-0 demolition of the Phoenix Suns. I think the Nuggets will have a hard time stopping Edwards because he is too quick for Aaron Gordon and will out-muscle Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The team that can slow down either of these players will likely win.
3. Head-to-Head- the Timberwolves and Nuggets are even over the last two regular seasons by splitting their eight games. Also, the teams met in the playoffs last year, and Denver defeated Minnesota 4-1. The Timberwolves missed the presence of Jayden McDaniels in the series because he broke his hand punching a wall.
4. X-Factor-the X factor for the Timberwolves will be their bench. The Denver Nuggets lost their depth from the bench after losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green in free agency. Minnesota will have the edge in having Naz Reid, who won the Sixth Man of the Year award, and the talented wing in Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The formula for success for the Timberwolves might be to keep the score close with the Nuggets starters and to crush them in the reserve minutes. The Timberwolf’s edge on the bench will have to be negated by Michael Porter Jr, who has sizzled in April and into these playoffs. Porter has elevated his play as an efficient shooter but can score off the bounce and make contested shots using his height.
5. Predictions- I think Minnesota will give Denver a difficult series compared to last season because of their ability to defend the basketball. Minnesota had the best defense in the regular season, and Anthony’s elevation into superstardom will make it close. Ultimately, I can’t pick against the champions, but it will go to a maximum of seven games. Nuggets in 7.
2. 6. Indian Pacers vs 2. New York Knicks
1. Headline matchup- this series will headline based on the Point Guard battle between Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton. They were both All-Stars on the same in February, and now they will face off in May. Halliburton is a traditional Point Guard at 6-foot-5, lanky, and can distribute the ball at an elite level because he led the NBA in assists. On the other hand, Brunson is 6-foot-1, a more natural scorer with elite footwork to create space and dissect the defense. Brunson torched the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round by scoring 35.5 points and averaging 9.0 assists per game which included 3 forty-point performances. The star players will likely guard each other in the matchup, but their performances will determine the outcome.
2. Head to Head-the Pacers won the regular season head-to-head 2-1. However, the Knicks won the regular season matchup 3-1 last season. It will be an interesting chess match between Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle and Knicks coach Tom Thibadeau in a classic offense vs defense masterpiece.
3. X-Factor- I think the X factor for both teams were trade acquisitions at the deadline, and former teammates in Toronto. OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam have transitioned to their new teams seamlessly and elevated their squads. The duo played six seasons in Toronto and won a Championship in 2019. The forwards will likely face off in a head-to-head matchup with the Pacers will be dependent on Siakam’s offense, which made the difference against the Milwaukee Bucks. On the other hand, the Knicks will be dependent on Anonuby’s versatile defending to slow down a Pacers team that was ranked as one of the best offenses in the league.
4. Predictions- I think the Pacers will be a stylistic challenge for the Knicks because of the frenetic offense they utilize. The key for the Knicks is the need to dictate the pace of the game and defend the three-point line. I think it will be a tough battle, but I have the Knicks prevailing in 6 games because I think home-court will be important, and they now have the experience of closing the door on the road. Knicks in 6.