The first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs has offically concluded. Eight NBA teams have advanced to the semi finals and eight teams have gone home. A lot was learned about these playoff teams closing out their series. Starting in the Eastern Conference, the 1 Seed Boston Celtics eliminated the 8 Seed Miami Heat in 5 games. The match up was a deep mismatch as the Heat poorly struggled to score the ball without injured stars Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. It was a series loss that could lead to many changes this offseason. Next, The 2 Seed Knicks eliminated the 7 Seed Philadelphia 76ers in 6 games. The series was nearly neck and neck but exposes the 76ers and Knicks inconsistent supporting cast. A Game 7 was with in seconds of being forced. However, Josh Hart hit a Game 6 clinching 3 pointer, helping the Knicks advance past the 76ers in triumphant fashion. In term of a series upset, The 6 Seed Indiana Pacers eliminated the 3 Seed Milwaukee Bucks in 6 games. The Bucks were missing their injured franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo for the entire series. All Star Damian Lillard also missed time for the Bucks, as he did not play in Games four and give due to injury. Injuries truly derailed the Bucks playoff hopes and championship aspirations as they could not keep up with the Pacers fast pace offense. Lastly in the Eastern Conference, the 4 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated in 5 Seed Orlando Magic in 7 games. The series went down to the wire and the home team won every game of the series. Home court advantage was the theme of the series. Switching to the Western Conference, the 1 Seed Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the 8 Seed New Orleans Pelicans in a 4 game sweep. The series was a complete mismatch as the Pelicans deeply struggled without injured star Zion Williamson. Next, the 2 Seed Denver Nuggets eliminated the 7 Seed LA Lakers in 5 games. The games were fairly close all the way through, as there were no blow outs in the series. The Nuggets won two out of the four games on game winning buzzer beaters. The Lakers fell short in all four losses, leading to the firing of head coach Darvin Ham. The Nuggets were the better team as they eliminated the Lakers in back to back years. The 3 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the 6 Seed Phoenix Suns in a 4 Game sweep. The Suns were outplayed and outhustled by the Timberwolves in all four games. They lost each game by an average margin of 15 points. The sweep will go down as one of the biggest NBA superteam failures. A failed Suns superteam led by All Stars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Lastly in the Western Conference, the 5 Seed Dallas Mavericks eliminated the 4 Seed LA Clippers in 6 games. The series was tied 2-2 with momentum heading towards the Clippers with home court advantag. The Mavericks would win the next 2 games in dominant fashion, putting a defensive clinic on the Clippers starters. The Clippers were missing injured star Kawhi Leonard for a third straight playoff year. He appeared in just two of the six playoff games and struggled mightily as the rust came into effect. The Semi Finals will be the next phase for the winning teams moving forward. What’s next for the eliminated teams? Will any of these eliminated teams change their offseason plans? The phrase championship or bust is used often and always has an aftermath when a team is eliminated in the first round.
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