The stage is set for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. All 16 teams have been established following the conclusion of the NBA Play In Tournament. Some of these playoff matches will be predictable, while others are evenly matched and questionable. Starting in the Eastern Confefence, the 1 Seed Boston Celtics will face the 8 Seed Miami Heat. This matchup will be rematch of last years Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics will be considered the heavy favorites, as they improved their current roster during last offseason and finished with the best record in the NBA. The Miami Heat will also be missing injured All Star Jimmy Butler. The 2 Seed New York Knicks will face the 7 Seed Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks and 76ers series could go both ways as both teams have dealt with injuries to key rotational players. The Knicks will be missing injured All Star Julius Randle, while the 76ers will play All Star Joell Embiid, who not 100% healthy. That series could come down to 7 games, where the Knicks will have home court advantage. The 3 Seed Milwaukee Bucks will play the 6 Seed Indiana Pacers. This matchup could go down to the wire if both teams are fully healthy. This will be a high scoring showdown due to the lack of zone defense from both teams. The Pacers will be most likely be favorited as the Bucks will be missing injured All Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lastly in the Eastern Conferense, the 4 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the 5 Seed Orlando Magic. The Cavs will be favorited as they return to the playoffs for a second straight season. The Magic will enter the playoffs as newcomers, as the organization last made the playoffs in 2020 with an entirely different roster. Cavs All Star Donovan Mitchell will look to bounce backs as the Cavs were in eliminated in last years first round. In the Western Conference, the 1 Seed Oklahoma City Thunder will play the 8 Seed New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder will enter the playoffs for the first time since 2020, after a 4 year rebuild. They lack playoff experience but they will be favorited as the Pelicans will be missing injured All Star Zion Williamson. The 2 Seed Defending Champion Nuggets will play the 7 Seed LA Lakers. This matchup will be a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets swept the Lakers in last years playoff matchup. While a sweep will most likely not be in the cards, a Nuggets series win is best believed. Next up, The 3 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves will face off against the 6 Seed Phoenix Suns. The Suns swept their regular season series against the Timberwolves. Their playoff series could go eitherway but the Suns will have the most to lose from a first round elimination. The Suns created a big 3 of All Stars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal during last years offseason. The Suns expectation is championship or bust. Lastly in the Western Conference, the 4 Seed LA Clippers will take on the 5 Seed Dallas Mavericks. This matchup will be a 2021 first round rematch between the two teams. Alot has changed in 3 years, as the Mavericks added All Star Kyrie Irving and the Clippers added All Stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The health of All Star Kawhi Leonard will be a major factor for the LA Clippers. Leonard had missed several games concluding the regular season due to on going injuries. If fully healthy, the Clippers will have a strong chance at take down the Mavericks. Who will advance to the semi finals? How will these first round results impact the 2024 offseason? The NBA Playoffs will kick off this Saturday afternoon.
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